Under the auspices of the UK Government's 'Plan for Change' initiative, the UK Government's Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Raynor, Minister for Local Growth Alex Norris and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn announced funding of £2.2m in respect of Crusaders FC's proposed Shore Road Skills Centre. For the club, it is the end of a long process commenced initially under the Levelling-Up Fund and realized as a 'critical culture project' of the UK's 'Plan for Change' initiative. The funding will help build a Shore Road Skills Centre in the heart of Lower North Belfast, with Crusaders FC adding matching 'top-up' funding.
Project Director and Treasurer of Crusaders FC Tommy Whiteside commented, “ The club developed a very strong application and a robust business case within a very competitive, UK-wide challenge-fund. The Shore Road Skills Centre will house a range of current sports and educational initiatives of the club as well as a vocational education offer by our educational partners. This is the largest funding award that Crusaders have ever achieved and it is a testimony to the strength and capacity we have here at the club. Tendering will now proceed with a 'build' phase creating much needed employment. The Skills Centre will be a vital part of our infrastructure at Seaview as we seek to develop our premises as an open and welcoming modern small stadium. We are grateful for the political support we have received from across the spectrum in helping us realize this vital piece of community infrastructure.” Vice-Chair of Crusaders FC and Education Programme director for the project, Mark Langhammer commented, "It is a matter of fact that the Duncairn area within which the Skills Centre will be located is an area of high recognized educational disadvantage. We aim, with partners, to tackle that. Sport has the power to change lives, and has the leverage to promote wider social goals, such as in education.
The Skills Centre will be open to the public and will promote an attractive 'menu' of courses and vocational opportunities as well as progression pathways to Further and Higher education partners. The initiative seeks to offer opportunities for people, young and old, to achieve and improve their lives. We, at Crusaders, pride ourselves in being "More than a Football Club" and the Skills Centre will represent visible proof of that vision."