The Regional Development Officers (RDOs) of Athletics Ireland have been busy on the phones this week informing clubs of their successful application to Athletics Ireland’s 2007 Small equipment Grants Scheme for Clubs. All clubs were sent a copy of the grant application form and asked to fill in information about the club, its facilities and its Coaches and to outline what their plans were for their club, including desired (small) equipment purchases. Athletics Ireland applied to and received €350,000 from the Department of Art, Sports & Tourism Capital Grants programme in 2007 in order to run this equipment grants scheme for clubs. The 113 successful clubs have all been sent a letter detailing the terms and conditions of the offer and must now return written confirmation of agreement to join Athletics Ireland’s Club Development programme in order to begin the process of acquiring their equipment. Athletics Ireland sees clubs as the ‘backbone’ of the sport and feels it is very important that clubs are supported in their endeavours to provide accessible quality athletics for all. The RDOs continue to roll-out a programme of Coach Education for clubs and to offer assistance, advice and information to the clubs all around the country which it is hoped will be formalised into a comprehensive Club Development Programme in 2008. Further details of the work of the Development Team and of Athletics Ireland can be found on the website www.athleticsireland.ie