Version 1 – 22/06/2025
Objective
North Belfast Harriers is one of Ireland’s oldest athletics clubs and has had athletes represent Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Ireland, at the highest level of athletics competition including European, Commonwealth World Championship and Olympic level.
Supporting, nurturing and developing our most talented athletes will be key to the ongoing success of the club.
The club is dedicated to financially supporting our most talented athletes to ensure, where appropriate, any financial barriers which prevent our most talented athletes from accessing support for competition (and where appropriate, winter sun or high altitude training camps) are mitigated against.
The primary objective of this new policy is to provide appropriate and fair financial support to our most talented athletes, male and female, from Junior to Senior and Masters level.
In particular, this policy aims to provide appropriate and fair financial assistance for participation in:
- Winter sun or high altitude training camps;
- Irish Milers or British Milers Club events;
- National Championships or Regional Competitions (AAA, BMAF, NIAAF, AI);
- Key qualification and selection events for Northern Ireland, Ulster, Ireland, or Great Britain and Northern Ireland squads, including age group or Junior Teams;
- Mountain, Road or Cross Country trial events, Irish and/or British Milers Club track & field events and/or high calibre mountain/road/cross country/track & field events abroad.
This includes all disciplines i.e. cross country, road racing, mountain running, ultra running and track and field competitions. It does not include duathlon, triathlon or hyrox.
Any request for funding support will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the TAP Committee and is entirely at their discretion.
TAP Committee
The TAP Committee shall consist of:
a) A representative for senior male athletes; and
b) A representative for senior female athletes; and
c) A representative for Junior athletes; and
d) One other Club Committee representative (e.g. Club Treasurer or their nominee).
A minimum of three (of the four) representatives are required to review, discuss and consider all applications.
TAP Funding
TAP Funding is available upon request (by an athlete completing a TAP Form) and will only be granted where it is to be used to contribute towards costs associated with attending training camps and/or qualification or selection events such as:
- Race entry fees;
- Travel costs (includes any fuel costs);
- Accommodation costs;
- Food and subsistence costs; and/or
- Physiotherapy costs (pre/post event).
The Funding should not be used to purchase equipment and/or accessories related to running such as shoes, clothing, or accessories.
Funding is subject to:
- A maximum of £150 per athlete.
- Athletes specifying how this funding will be used.
- A maximum of two allocations per athlete per membership year.
- Fair allocation to other athletes in the membership year (e.g preference will be given to first time applicants over applicants who are submitting a second application in any membership year).
TAP Application Process
Applications for Talented Athlete Funding must be athlete-led.
If the athlete is under 18, a parent/guardian may assist in the completion and submission of the TAP Form, but the athlete should be involved.
The process involves:
- Reading this policy.
- Reviewing and submitting a TAP Form available on the North Belfast Harriers AC website.
- Ensuring that the application includes:
- The reason for the TAP support request and the specific costs the support will help them meet.Any other financial costs associated with the application which the athlete is meeting through their own means. It would be expected that all athletes should seek to meet approximately 25% of costs associated with application.
- Details of how they meet the eligibility criteria.
- The TAP Committee will review applications and a recommendation will be made to the Club Treasurer for actioning and recording.
- The athlete will be informed of the outcome by the TAP Committee as soon as is reasonably practicable.
- Athletes who received funding support must gather and submit all relevant receipts to the Committee as soon as reasonably practicable so that the Club Treasurer can accurately record expenses incurred.
Eligibility
General Criteria:
- Only those club members who have completed the membership process for the current (membership) year will be eligible to apply for support.
- Events which are associated with Schools or University events are specifically excluded from TAP Funding decisions as these do not involve athletes representing the club.
| Age Group | Eligible | Road/XC/Mountain /Ultra | Track & Field | Schools / University / London Mini Marathon |
| Under 16 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Under 18 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Under 20 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Under 23 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Senior | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Masters (over 35) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Specific Criteria:
- Athletes must be representing or seeking national and/or international selection, which includes competing in a key qualification event for:
- Northern Ireland and Ulster (Junior, Senior, Master) squad.
- Ireland (Junior, Senior, Master) National Team.
- Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Junior, Senior, Master) National Team.
Expectations of Athletes
Athletes receiving funding are expected to:
- Minimise costs where possible (e.g sharing travel, booking affordable accommodation).
- Abide by the club Code of Conduct when representing the club.
- Adhere to the rules and regulations set by Athletics NI, Athletics Ireland, and UK Athletics.
- Compete in all selection events wearing the North Belfast Harriers AC vest unless otherwise agreed.
- Maintain communication with the club committee.
- Represent the club positively in all interactions.
- Respect competitors, teammates, coaches, and officials.
Limitations and Exceptions
- Athletes with external sponsorship, or financial support, must use this support first.
- Funding is designed to assist athletes aiming for high-level selection, not for general participation.
- Funding is strictly limited to two allocations per athlete per membership year.
- All financial support is discretionary and subject to the availability of club resources.
- Decisions made by the TAP Committee are final.
Budget
- This policy is subject to a cap of £3000 per annum – the amount to be reviewed annually.
- Once all funds are distributed, no further applications will be considered.
Review
- This policy will be reviewed annually.
Financial Hardship
Athletes facing financial hardship are encouraged to contact the club committee confidentially via the Treasurer.
Additional support may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Further Information
For more information, please refer to the FAQs on the club website: www.northbelfastharriers.com.
Application Form