Northern Ireland Blind Golf Association Trustees Annual Report
Northern Ireland Blind Golf Association
The trustees present their report with the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2025.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Charity No. 108113
Trustees
The following trustees served during the year:
| V. Beggs | (Resigned 7 February 2026) |
|---|---|
| K. Daly | |
| H. Gracey | |
| P. McCormack | (Resigned 1 February 2025) |
| T. McEvoy | |
| P. O'Rahilly | (Resigned 1 February 2025) |
| A.M. Powell | (Resigned 7 February 2026) |
| L. Walsh | (Resigned 7 February 2026) |
Accountants
Maine Accounting 62 Carclinty Road Cullybackey Ballymena BT42 1PH
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The NIBGA mission is to provide support, training and access to health and social benefits for visually impaired ad blind people in Northern Ireland.
Near-term goals (2026-2030) are:
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Meet all corporate standards for CCNI regulated charities.
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Implement an integrated digital marketing strategy.
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Grow the game of blind golf internationally, from Northern Ireland.
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Engage more with IBGA and UK and ROI Blind Golf Organisations.
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Inspire Children/young adults and provide youth programme.
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Organise more Get Into Golf Events across NI.
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Position NIBGA to host the 2027 ISPS Handa British Blind Open Event.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
NIBGA has continued to meet our strategic objectives, mainly due to the hard work of our committee and the support of our partners: Golf Ireland, R&A, RNIB Connect, Vision Sports Ireland, IBGA and local authorities.
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Northern Ireland Blind Golf Association
Trustees Annual Report
In 2025 NIBGA ran several events, 6 of which (Ballymena, Silverwood, Temple, Lurgan, Royal Tara and Gracehill) were qualifying rounds for our players and their IBGA handicaps. Another 2 of our members received their IBGA handicaps, making them eligible to enter IBGA international events.
We have put a safeguarding policy in place and several members have completed a safeguarding course.
Funding from the National Lottery and the Primary Club ensured that members and prospective golfers receive safe and professional coaching.
NIBGA has continued to update the website, nibga.org, and use social media to promote our brand and share news about our activities.
The volunteer base and membership continue to grow, supported by The Lottery Community Fund and the Primary Club.
In May 2025, 5 of our NIBGA members entered the Spanish Blind Open in Maspalomas, the success story of that event was that our member, along with her guide won not only her category but also the Overall Stableford winner.
In July 2025, 2 of our members entered the British Blind Open at MacDonald Cardona Golf Resort in Scotland. A member played in the 2025 ISPS Handa US Blind Open.
In August 2025, 2 of our NIBGA members entered the Canadian Blind Open and the Worlds in Ontario and represented NIBGA in both events. A member successfully brought home the Overall Low Net Runner Up prize in the Worlds competition.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
There was a significant movement in funds, of £12,376.64 in the financial year.
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Account Opening Balance (1/1/25) £35,913.58
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Account Closing Balance (31/12/25) £23536.94
This leaves NIBGA in a strong financial position at the start of 2026.
NIBGA depends almost entirely on grant income to finance its activities.
Some of our projects straddle multiple years.
There was significant carryover from 2024, in respect of grant income from the Lottery Community Fund and the Primary Club.
£13,650.03 of grant income was spent in 2025 as the new committee was proactive and diligently managed all NIBGA projects.
Restricted Expenditure:
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Lottery Community Fund £6750.03
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Primary Club £6900
Grant income of £20,000 was received from the National Lottery in 2024. In 2025 NIBGA organised “Try Golf” events at two golf courses for our members, and for blind and visual impaired participants from the community to attend. The events were a great success and will be programmed again in 2026 in other regions of NI.
Grant income of £6,900 received from the Primary Club in 2024.
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Northern Ireland Blind Golf Association
Trustees Annual Report
The NIBGA youth programme in 2025 was very successful. RNIB and Angel Eyes NI provided NIBGA with a list of 22 blind and visually impaired children and young adults, under 25 years of age. An additional 3 blind and visually impaired children and young adults were added from other sources. NIBGA had a mix of boys and girls, within the age range of 8 years to 23 years for the youth programme events. 17 golf starter packs were purchased and 2 golf vouchers presented to participants.
Significant capital was raised in 2025, in preparation for a drive for new members in 2026. Our growing member, volunteer and partner base contributed several income streams, including £690 from subscriptions, and £2024.31 from two members fundraising events. An ABC Council donation of £500, a PGA Pro AM event raised £2,780, Knock Golf Club made NIBGA their charity in 2025 and donated £3,600.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The charity is governed by it's constitution. The membership elects a Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary at the Annual General Meeting. The six persons on the Board of Trustees are elected from the membership and meet once a month to manage the affairs of the organisation. The Constitution is to be amended by the members in 2026.
NIBGA is run by it's volunteer Board. There are no employees and the Trustees receive no remuneration.
Statement of trustees' responsibilities in relation to the financial statements
The charity trustees are responsible for preparing a trustees' annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations, and the provisions of the Trust deed. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees
K. Daly Trustee 08 May 2026
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