Blueprint For Future Development Of Sport In County Limerick Is Unveiled

The strategic plan is the result of an extensive consultation process incorporating a variety of local agencies and organisations involved in different aspects of sport development.

Under the strategy, Limerick County Council will be involved in facility provision, the Health Service Executive in health-enhancing physical activity, County Limerick VEC in leading education initiatives, Shannon Development and Coillte Teoranta in trail construction (walking and cycling), the private sector in the fitness industry, and Local Development Companies (Ballyhoura Development Ltd and West Limerick Resources) in recreation at community level.

Within the strategy, sport is clearly defined as including all forms of physical activity including active play, physical education, active recreation, exercise and competitive sport.

The Sports Partnership Board has given a commitment to develop physical activity opportunities for all members of local communities from "Buntús Start and Healthy Tots" for children to "Go for Life and Physical Activity Leaders" for older adults.

"The partnership approach adopted by the key providers, stakeholders and local agencies will undoubtedly contribute to the long term vision being achieved": stated Cllr. John Gallahue, Cathaoirleach, Limerick County Council and Chairperson of Limerick County Development, who officially launched the Strategic Plan.

He said: "I have no doubt that it will greatly assist the County Limerick Local Sports Partnership in realising its vision of: ‘A county where all people are encouraged and enabled to participate in sport’".

Cllr. Gallahue highlighted the target groups identified from consultation and the importance of physical activity: "In working with these people on the ground and increasing opportunities, it is hoped to increase awareness and reduce the lack of physical activity in society today."

The Cathaoirleach wished County Limerick Local Sports Partnership every success with the delivery of the various initiatives contained in the Strategy and added: "I hope that the people of County Limerick will become increasingly aware of the various positive effects that the Local Sports Partnership will have on their futures."

At the launch, Mr. John Treacy, Chief Executive Officer, Irish Sports Council outlined how the Irish Sports Council considered the strategic planning process to be an essential step in the development of Local Sports Partnerships.

"This step can bring many benefits such as matching the needs of the local communities to the priorities of the partnership. It is then possible to quantify the resources required effectively to achieve these priorities and answer local needs. This ensures that the plan can be a working document, which will show results over its lifetime", Mr. Treacy stated.

The overall objective of County Limerick Local Sports Partnership is to implement four strategic themes: increasing participation, supporting the sport sector, improving the infrastructure and promoting partnership. These four action areas will enable the sports partnership to work with schools, communities, sports clubs and organisations in increasing the opportunities to become more active in the development of sport.

The County Limerick Local Sports Partnership was established on an informal basis in 2001. The partnership received formal status from the Irish Sports Council in 2007. It is an inter-agency group comprising representatives from the key provider agencies which invest in various aspects of sport development in the County, and representatives of the stakeholders including sports clubs, the disability sector, the private sector and the education sector.

For any queries or further information please contact County Limerick Local Sports Partnership at 061-496463 or see www.cllsp.ie

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
Sports Partnership interviewees are available on request. For further information please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com
High resolution images from the strategy launch will be available from 11am on Tuesday, 25 November 2008

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900