Newforge

Newforge is a country club in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was founded in 1956 for members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary but has developed into an open club with multiple sports facilities.[1][2]

Newforge
LocationBelfast, Northern Ireland
Coordinates54.5583°N 5.9443°W / 54.5583; -5.9443
As of 28 August 2011
Source: Ground profile

History

Newforge was founded in 1956 after the grounds were purchased by the Royal Ulster Constabulary Athletic Association (RUC AA).[1] Though it was originally a private club for serving and retired police officers, membership was later opened to others.[2]

In 2005, £50,000 from the Northern Bank robbery was found at Newforge; it was believed to have been planted by the IRA in order to frame the police.[3][4]

In 2012, there were proposals for the RUC AA to change their name to the "Police Athletic Association Northern Ireland" on the grounds that the more generic name would entitle them to more grants for the association and Newforge.[5] Following unionist political objections, the proposal was dropped.[6]

In 2017, Newforge applied for an EU grant but was rejected and vetoed on appeal.[7] The decision was overturned by 2019, with Newforge being awarded €5.8 million.[8]

Facilities

Newforge contains several sports pitches. It is home to Newforge Lane, which is used by PSNI F.C. for association football, and a Gaelic games pitch for PSNI GAA.[2] There is also a hockey pitch, though this has fallen into disuse.[9] In 2013, Newforge hosted the World Police and Fire Games.[10] It had also been used as the training facility for Ulster Rugby.[11]

Newforge has a cricket ground. In 2005, the ground hosted a List A match in the 2005 ICC Trophy between Namibia and Papua New Guinea,[12] which Namibia won by 96 runs.[13]

References
  1. "HISTORY OF THE RUCFA". PSNI Football Association. 1922-06-01. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  2. "Stone the crows..." Pitchcare. 2016-04-16. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  3. "Money found at Belfast club from Northern Bank". Irish Times. 2005-02-20. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  4. "Robbers 'trying to deflect blame'". BBC News. 2005-02-20. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  5. "Athletic Association plans to remove RUC link in name change". BBC News. 2012-03-09. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  6. "RUC association retains its name". BBC News. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  7. "Police sports club may tackle EU body in court following funding snub". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  8. "Shared Space Funding Announcement" (PDF). European Union. Retrieved 2020-05-06. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. "Newforge Lane" (PDF). Belfast City Council. Retrieved 2020-05-06. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  10. "PSNI warm up for Police and Fire Games". BBC Sport. 2013-07-08. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  11. "Ulster Rugby "Their deicision was made". Ruan Pienaar opens up on foiled Ulster return as Cheetahs star is back in Belfast". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  12. "List A Matches played on Newforge, Belfast". CricketArchive. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  13. "Namibia v Papua New Guinea, 2005 ICC Trophy". CricketArchive. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
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