It came following a meeting with representatives from local NI sporting organisations, such as Ulster Hockey, Netball NI, and NI Sports Forum at Stormont’s Parliament Buildings on Thursday (21 September).

The Lagan Valley MLA has said: “I’ve been working with our sporting bodies for some time to address the crisis caused by the ending of funding to projects under the Executive’s Good Relations Fund, part of the Together: Building a United Community Strategy.

“On Thursday, I met representatives from Ulster Hockey, Badminton Ireland, Netball Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Sports Forum and others.

“I was pleased to have had the opportunity to brief them on the positive new Alliance sports funding proposals I’ve been working on, and the impact they would have to increase participation in sports, help bring our community together, and give better health outcomes.

“These cuts are removing half a million pounds intended for sports projects to address issues like childhood obesity and low self-esteem, as well as improving public health and well-being and general fitness.

“The fact that these cuts have come about as a direct result of the lack of a devolved Executive cannot be ignored, and is yet another example of how the current political stalemate is negatively impacting the people of NI.”