Carlow Sports Partnership featured in the Sport Ireland Local Sports Partnership Annual Report 2020
Carlow Sports Partnership is one of 29 Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) featured in the Annual Report 2020 published by Sport Ireland today.
The report highlights the work of the LSP Network and the impact they have on participation levels by engaging key target populations across Ireland.
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, Carlow Sports Partnership has continued to provide programmes and initiatives to ensure that everyone in Carlow has the opportunity to share in the enjoyment as well as the mental and physical health benefits of sport and physical activity.
In 2020, Sport Ireland allocated over €870,000 in Programme Funding to the LSP Network, an increase of 53% from the 2019 investment. Programme funding is at the core of the LSPs engagement with participants and allows for the delivery of a range of community, club and school based initiatives, programmes and events.
In Carlow, 2,465 people took part in 70 participation programmes. Carlow Sports Partnership coordinated and delivered 13 capacity building training courses for 157 sports leaders and coaches. 241 people with a disability took part in 15 CSP initiatives with an additional 37 people trained across Cara’s Disability Awareness, Autism in Sport & Disability Inclusion Training and Education programmes.
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin TD welcomed the publication of the Report: “The National Sports Policy recognises the key role played by the Local Sports Partnerships in sports participation and how they can assist in the delivery of the ambitious participation actions set out in the Policy. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the LSP network worked hard to develop new and innovative initiatives to target cohorts of the population who were most likely to be less active during the restrictions. This work will continue in to 2021 as we see the gradual return to sport and physical activity. Together we will work to increase access to sport and physical activity opportunities for all cohorts of the population”.
Minister of State for the Gaeltacht and Sport, Jack Chambers TD commented: “I commend the work of the LSPs and community organisations they worked with throughout a difficult year. By collaborating closely with organisations within and outside the sporting sector, the LSPs delivered a range and variety of programmes and initiatives in communities throughout Ireland. As we move in to 2021 and beyond, the LSPs will continue to develop and deliver physical activity opportunities that are accessible and inclusive at a local level. I look forward to seeing the activities in the months and years to come as we move toward the target set out by the National Sports Policy”.
John Treacy, Chief Executive Sport Ireland commented: “2020 was a very difficult year for the LSPs and sports participation in general. I must commend the staff and volunteers in the LSPs who adapted quickly and with agility to continue to support people to stay active during the pandemic. They embraced new ways of reaching the various groups in their community and worked together to deliver initiatives and resources at a national level. Although participation numbers reduced in 2020 due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, we believe that the LSP network is well prepared and primed to promote a safe return to sport, in line with Government regulations. We are confident that as Government restrictions are gradually lifted LSPs will quickly return to, and even exceed, the high levels of engagement seen in 2019”.
Martha Jane Duggan, Coordinator of Carlow Sports Partnership commented: “During Ireland’s COVID 19 response, Carlow Sports Partnership been rolling out a broad range of local and national initiatives targeting cohorts of the population who we know are the least likely to be active during this crisis. As such, Carlow Sports Partnership have developed new initiatives specifically designed and tailored for older adults, people with a disability, women and girls and people from socio economic disadvantage whilst also designing innovative and engaging initiatives for families, children, and teenagers”.
Declan Doyle, Chairperson of Carlow Sports Partnership commented: “Despite the COVID 19 Pandemic, Carlow Sports Partnership continues to support people to get active and removing barriers to physical activity and involvement in sport. In response to the COVID 19 pandemic, Carlow Sports Partnership have mobilised by continuing to work from home and volunteering essential resources to Local Authorities across Ireland to support “The Community Call” campaign. On behalf of Carlow Sports Partnership, we extend our thanks to all those agencies, groups and individuals who have contributed to this report and also to all the staff and volunteers who were involved in the delivery of the programmes and projects at local level.”
The full 2020 LSP Annual Report can be viewed here
Carlow Sports Partnership 2020 Summary of Output
2,465 people participated in 70 locally delivered Carlow Sports Partnership (CSP) participation initiatives
51 females took part in 3 targeted Women in Sport programmes
700 people and 6 clubs took part in 6 Operation Transformation Nationwide Walks and Programmes
44 Clubs/Groups were provided with funding supports by Carlow Sports Partnership
150 booklets printed to support Older Adults to exercise within Covid19 restrictions. The Be Active at Home booklet for Older Adult was distributed as part of a community response support.
241 people with a disability took part in 15 CSP initiatives with an additional 37 people trained across Cara’s Disability Awareness, Autism in Sport & Disability Inclusion Training and Education programmes
A total of 157 people participated in 13 training courses representing 115 local clubs
107 Sports Leaders and Volunteers completed 9 Safeguarding Courses
€405,046 was secured by Carlow Sports Partnership during 2020 to increase participation in sport and physical activity from multiple sources including: Sport Ireland; Carlow County Council; HSE; Healthy Carlow and government departments.
8,194 visits to the Carlow Sports Partnership website www.carlowsports.ie in 2020
7,203 social media followers across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
32 weekly e-bulletins were published and distributed to a weekly distribution list of 1000+
3 booklets were published and printed as a supplement in the Nationalist newspaper with a weekly distribution list of 9000+. The publications included the Keep Active with Carlow Sports Partnership resource for children and families, and 2 x Nature on Your Doorstep booklets (Spring & Summer editions).
Carlow Sports Partnership supported 9 national campaigns during 2020 including: Keep Well; Bike Week; European Week of Sport; National Play Day; Mobility Week; Fit for All Week; National Be Active Day; Men’s Health Week and Positive Aging Week.
2020 LSP Annual Report National Highlights:
29 Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs)
340,674 people participated in 1,132 locally delivered participation initiatives
51% of participants in LSP programmes were female, 47% were male, 2% other
109,302 girls and 64,975 women took part in LSP programmes
18,161 females took part in 130 targeted Women in Sport programmes
3,646 Clubs/Groups were provided with funding supports by LSPs
7,091 participants took part in initiatives targeting Older Adults
64,524 participants took part in interventions supported by the LSP network including Daily Mile, parkrun, Playground Markings, Active Homework initiatives, and provision of physical activity resources
16,243 people with a disability took part in LSP initiatives with an additional 2,037 people trained across Cara’s Disability Awareness, Autism in Sport & Disability Inclusion Training and Education programmes
2,894,209 visits to LSP website in 2020 (138% increase compared to 2019 – 1,214,746)
184,493 social media followers across all LSP social platforms(Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) 20% increase on 2019
Sports Leaders and Volunteers completed 5,102 Safeguarding Courses
LSPs planned and delivered 276 training and education courses, workshops and seminars with their partner agencies. 31,369 people participated in these courses
Ends.
Further Information: Martha Jane Duggan, Coordinator of Carlow Sports Partnership
Email: mjduggan@carlowcoco.ie / 087 2145262
Inclusive Basketball Camp
European Mile
The European Mile is a free event celebrating the joy of moving again at your own pace – by running, walking or rolling a mile. Create your own event or donate your miles during 2021 to take part, and move together with people around Europe for the main celebration on 5 June 2021.
ABOUT THE EUROPEAN MILE
Running and walking are among the most popular types of recreational physical activity in Europe. It is estimated that around 50 million Europeans run regularly and many more enjoy walking. But in 2020, many of us stopped moving or moved less because of local restrictions. The European Mile is a fun and easy way to get moving again and reconnect with people around Europe by sharing your miles and donating them towards a common cause.
People from all walks of life can join one of the physical or virtual European Mile events, or donate their moved miles in support of selected grassroots sport or physical activity initiatives. For the European Mile, we consider the iconic distance 1.6 kilometres to be our key metric. But we also know there are many different mile distances, so we encourage you to #FindYourMile! Anyone can register an event or even join in with a self-organised activity. Simply share your run, walk or roll with the hashtag #FindYourMile to take part – every MOVE counts – and don’t forget to donate your miles right here!
The European Mile is an initiative supported by the Erasmus+ Sport programme of the European Commission and is coordinated by ISCA as part of the NowWeMOVE campaign.
For more inforamtion and to register click here
Children Returning to Sport
As children return to sport we must all familiarise ourselves with the guidelines to keep safe during training.
Follow the top tips and let’s keep everyone safe while training
- Complete your club’s pre-training questionnaire
- Follow all instructions from the club Covid officer
- No one should attend training if they, or any member of their household have symptoms of Covid-19, are deemed a close contact or are awaiting a PCR test results
- Bring your own equipment including helmet, mouth guards, towels and water bottle, all clearly marked with your name
- Jerseys or bibs should not be swapped during a training session
- Minimise sharing equipment where possible
- No high 5s, handshakes or fist pumps
- Everyone should wash their hands thoroughly bebfore and after training and bring hand sanitizer
- Maintain physical distance from teammates, coaches and other players when taking a break and before and after training
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow
- Parents, coaches, officials and volunteers should wear a face covering
- No high 5s, handshakes or fist pumps
- Wash your hands thoroughly before &after training
- Bring hand sanitizer
- Maintain physical distance when taking a break and before and after training
- Do not carpool to training with others outside your household
- Arrive, train and leave in your training gear
- Plan ahead and bring spare gear in case you get wet
AUTISM IN SPORT Online Workshop
Wednesday May 26th
7.00pm - 10.00pm
€10
ONLINE
For more information contact Teresa on tomeara@carlowcoco.ie
Virtual Badminton Teacher Training
Virtual Badminton Teacher Training
On 21st April 2021 Carlow Sports Partnership piloted Ireland’s first virtual badminton teacher training seminar in conjunction with Badminton Ireland.
The pilot was an overwhelming success with 27 teachers from 7 primary schools in Carlow in attendance. Carlow native and badminton coach, Willie Stevenson, presented a very informative seminar on the fundamentals of badminton and how it can easily become embedded in any school’s physical activity curriculum. This was followed by a presentation from Lauren Au of Badminton Ireland who demonstrated how easily badminton can be adapted to become inclusive and cater for every student.
Carlow Sports Partnership are currently organising a full teacher training day in September 2021 (Covid-19 restrictions pending) which will be open to all primary schools in Carlow to attend.
For more information on how to get your school involved, please contact Deborah on deborahfoley@carlowcoco.ie or via 0879121497.
Inclusive Fitness Training - Online Workshop
This workshop is designed to increase the confidence and awareness of fitness managers, fitness professionals, PTs and all front line staff to work with people with disabilities in the fitness sector.
The training will provide access to resources that will increase the knowledge of fitness managers and fitness professionals to create inclusive environments and programmes in the fitness sector for people with disabilities.
Who is this workshop for?:
Fitness professionals, managers, receptionists, PT's, lifeguards, swimming instructors, administration personnel, or anyone working in the fitness sector who has an interest in making their activities and facilities inclusive for people with disabilities.
€10 per person
Thursday 22nd of April - 6.30pm-10.00pm
Bookings through Eventbrite only:
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/inclusive-fitness-training-via-zoom-tickets-149116564659
200 inclusive sports packs delivered to County Carlow schools.
Delivery of Equipment to 100 Adults Over the Age of 60
County Carlow Local Sports Partnership in collaboration with IT Carlow delivered the equipment for the ConnectFit Exercise Programme earlier this week. This programme will see 100 adults over the age of 60 participate in resistance based exercise across different delivery modes as part of two postgraduate research programmes in IT Carlow.
The ConnectFit project is a FREE 10-week exercise programme targeted at getting people aged 60 and over more active! The aim of this project is to forge new connections and a sense of togetherness within their community through exercise.
The ConnectFit exercise programme has been designed specifically for people aged 60 and over. Through-out the programme participants will be performing resistance training with the aim to improve their health, fitness, and wellbeing. Research indicates that resistance training is a safe way to improve strength and flexibility. Strength is particularly important to carry out many activities we do every day like getting out of a chair or climbing stairs.
All equipment was delivered with the strictest adherence to the most up to date Covid-19 guidelines to ensure the safety of participants and staff.
Spring Foward
Summer Time arrives as the clocks go forward an hour on Sunday, March 28 2021 at 1am.
So as the country prepares to “spring forward” – and with the Easter school holidays- March 29 to April 12 – road safety professionals in County Councils across the Country are reminding drivers to take extra care on the roads as children begin to play outdoors in the evenings and more people will be out walking, cycling and jogging.
“They’ve spent the winter months cooped up indoors and even more so with Covid19 restrictions, with the arrival of the brighter evenings will be raring to be off and out, making the most of that extra daylight.
“With that in mind, all road users need to take extra care, not just on main roads but in built-up residential areas and anywhere where there might be an attraction for children, such as parks or green areas,”.
Motorists are advised to:
Be aware of children using roads, both as cyclists and as pedestrians
Watch out for children attempting to cross between parked cars
Watch out for children playing around parks and open spaces and remember that they can become easily distracted
Parents are asked to:
Remind their child to give the road their full attention
Ensure they choose a safe place to play – not the road
Ensure their child is familiar with the route they will be taking and the safer crossing places available
Make sure they take off headphones and not use their mobile phones when crossing the road
Ensure they wear a cycle helmet and light/bright clothing when cycling