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]
| Location | Belfast, Northern Ireland |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 54°33′30″N 5°56′39″W / 54.5583°N 5.9443°W |
| As of 28 August 2011 Source: Ground profile | |
History edit
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 edit
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 edit
- ^ a b "HISTORY OF THE RUCFA". PSNI Football Association. 1 June 1922. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ a b c "Stone the crows..." Pitchcare. 16 April 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ "Money found at Belfast club from Northern Bank". Irish Times. 20 February 2005. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ "Robbers 'trying to deflect blame'". BBC News. 20 February 2005. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ "Athletic Association plans to remove RUC link in name change". BBC News. 9 March 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ "RUC association retains its name". BBC News. 22 March 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ "Police sports club may tackle EU body in court following funding snub". Belfasttelegraph. Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ "Shared Space Funding Announcement" (PDF). European Union. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ "Newforge Lane" (PDF). Belfast City Council. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ "PSNI warm up for Police and Fire Games". BBC Sport. 8 July 2013. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ "Ulster Rugby "Their decision was made". Ruan Pienaar opens up on foiled Ulster return as Cheetahs star is back in Belfast". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ "List A Matches played on Newforge, Belfast". CricketArchive. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
- ^ "Namibia v Papua New Guinea, 2005 ICC Trophy". CricketArchive. Retrieved 28 August 2011.