Community
Community Sports Hubs
A Community Sports and Physical Activity Hub (CSH) is a collective of progressive sports clubs and other local organisations that want to work together to improve the sport offered in their local community. The hubs will operate within the existing structures of the Local Sports Partnerships. The hubs will provide information, support and advice on a wide range of sports and physical activities to make it easier for people in disadvantaged areas to get involved and engage in a more active and healthier lifestyle.
Each Community Sports and Physical Activity Hub (CSH) will be unique, however they are all meant to work to certain principles, namely grow participation, engage the local community, promote community leadership, offer a range of sporting opportunities and bring all appropriate (key) partners/ groups/people together.
Aim
The main aim of a CSH is to increase the number of people of all ages participating in sport and physical activity in their communities. Within this broad target group the ISC recommends that there should be a specific focus on adolescents / young people.
Objective
The objective of the Community Sports and Physical Activity Hubs in disadvantaged areas is to bring local people together and provide a home for local clubs and sports organisations.
Carlow Community Sports and Physical Activity Hubs
Bagenalstown Community Sports and Physical Activity Hub
The Bagenalstown CSPAH with the support of partner organisations aims to increase opportunities in sport and physical activity on all, support existing clubs and the development of new sports and physical activity clubs. Funding has been secured for a Sports Development Officer to coordinate this programme. This project is currently on hold due to COVID 19.
Resources:
Sport Ireland https://www.sportireland.ie/sites/default/files/2019-10/csh_evaluation.pdf
Carlow Town Urban Outdoor Adventure Initiative
The Urban Outdoor Adventure Initiative is a project funded through Sport Ireland and Dormant Accounts. It involves a collection of sports clubs, schools, community organisations, agencies and NGBs working together to create greater opportunities for people living in urban areas to participate in physical activity through adventure sports. Outdoor recreation programmes have been developed and run in disadvantaged communities, for at- risk youth groups, disadvantaged school groups and people with disability in many counties with success since 2017. There is now a growing body of evidence to suggest that outdoor adventure programme where participants interact with nature and experience new outdoor adventure sports are successful in developing confidence and skills among participants and also help young people to manage risk and encourages them to welcome challenge. Funding has been secured for a Sports Development Officer to coordinate a Carlow Town Urban Outdoor Adventure Initiative. This recruitment is currently on hold due to COVID 19.
Resources:
Sport Ireland https://www.sportireland.ie/outdoors/the-urban-outdoor-adventure-initiative