Latest updates from the IWA Sport

May 26, 2021

IWA Sports Centre Clontarf

Virtual Spring Fitness

The IWA-Sports Centre in Clontarf are running a virtual training programme for their members. It started on the 22^nd of February 2021 and has been running for 13 weeks. As gyms unfortunately remain closed, the Virtual Spring into Fitness programme aims to continue to support members and help them reach their health & wellness goals. Members have weekly check ins and catch ups with sports centre staff and take part in 2 live exercise classes each week. Everyone involved is really enjoying catching up with each other and staying active.

Employee Health & Fitness

The month of May was employee Health & Fitness month for the Irish Wheelchair Association. The sports centre staff ran online exercises classes IWA employees for 4 weeks in May. IWA Sports Centre Staff have delivered several 10@10 physical activity sessions as well as lunchtime and evening exercise classes to IWA staff. Well done to all staff who took part!

Virtual Club Sessions

Multi-Sport Junior Club Members from IWA have been training very hard since the 23^rd of January 2021. There have been over 33 sessions delivered since this programme started. Fun physical activity sessions have been running on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings for our junior club members ages 5-15. All the participants have been putting in a great effort over the last number of weeks in different exercise sessions. There are members taking part from all corners of the country. Some have been reunited with their club mates and have even met people from different clubs who they may have not met before. We are always accepting new members. Please see IWA-Sport Social media for more information or contact tara.fitzgibbon@iwa.ie

Oliver Murphy Youth Leadership Programme

The Oliver Murphy Youth Leadership programme began on Tuesday March 2^nd participants from a geographical spread of Louth, Cork, Dublin, Laois, Galway, Meath, Wexford, and Tipperary. Over the last 10 weeks the members took part in online training in leadership skills that they will be able to apply in various settings. The programme aims to support our young members with leadership skills that will benefit them on a personal and social basis. The participants have become empowered to lead among their peers and become advocates for the work of IWA and disability issues through a structured education programme. They are the first group of young adults in Ireland with additional needs to have completed the programme. The group of youth Leaders graduated in the middle of May following their 10-week course. We were also delighted to welcome Oliver Murphy himself to the event!

Well done to all who took part and delivered the programme! No doubt we’ll be hearing much more about you over the coming years.

Coach Education

The Introduction to Coaching Wheelchair Basketball course is part of the Coaching Development Programme for Ireland and was developed in partnership with Sport Ireland Coaching. Two courses were held on May 26^th and May 29^th by IWA Sports Team Staff.  This popular course is designed to provide participants with information around basic coaching concepts and skills to support them to become competent and confident in organising and/or supporting a basic level wheelchair basketball session. It is suitable for beginner coaches aiming to work with juniors and beginner adults in wheelchair basketball. Attendees will complete 3 modules, both theory and practically based, which include general information about the sport, classification, roles of a coach, LTPAD model, communication, session planning and experience coaching basic activities. For more information on coaching courses contact Shannon.pollock@iwa.ie

Return to Sport

We are delighted to see some IWA Sports Clubs including North East Thunder & Rebel Wheelers (pictured below) returning to activity this month. So many of our athletes and players are eager to get playing and competing. We wish everyone the best of luck returning to sport in the coming weeks.

Darkness into Light

On May 8^th IWA-Sports Team members took part in Pieta House’ fundraiser Darkness Into Light. They braved the windy and wet conditions like many others to show support for the very worthy cause. On the same day IWA Sport also held the Annual General Meeting for staff, volunteers and members.

All the latest activity from Meath Sports Partnership!

May 26, 2021

Meet n’Train:

Meet n’Train is a “new” 6 week outdoor programme that includes a combination of cardio, strength and stretching exercises to increase and maintain health/fitness. Cost is €20 for 6 week programme. Each session is led by a qualified instructor who will incorporate a wide range of exercises making it both fun and challenging. This programme is suitable for men and women of all fitness levels, from the complete beginner upwards.

For more details and reserve a place, log on to https://www.meathsports.ie/women-in-sport/meet-n-train/. If you have any queries please contact Lisa at lodowd@meathcoco.ie or call 046-9067337.

Canoeing for Men 35+:

Meath LSP in association with Ribbontail Paddlers Canoe Club are hosting a FREE Come n Try canoeing sessions for men 35+ on at the Boyne Aquaduct at Longwood on the following dates:

The Boyne Aquaduct provides for calm waters which is ideal for beginners and those who have yet to find their paddling comfort zone. Places will be limited and booking is essential. To book a place please contact Ruairi on 046-9067337 or email rmurphy@meathcoco.ie

Paddlesports for Mums & their Girls:

Meath LSP and Ribbontail Paddlers Canoe Club are collaborating on a new initiative “Paddlesports for Mums and Girls” programme. We are inviting Mums/Guardians and their daughters to buddy up for a 3-week initiative to develop and experience a range of paddlesports. If you have a daughter age 13-16yrs, are ready to learn a new sport and experience a new way to exercise, then this is the programme for you. No equipment necessary as all will be supplied for the programme.

To be eligible, participants must be:

• 1 Mum/Guardian, Daughter age 13-16yrs
• Be able to swim & be competent treading water
• Commit to completing the programme
• Be enthusiastic and be open to trying new activities

Programme includes:

• Fun games/activities on the water
• Guided lesson over three days (3 hours each day)
• River Run on the third day

Cost is €20 per pair. If you are interested in taking part contact Lisa at lodowd@meathcoco.ie.

Dance for Life 50+

Meath LSP is delighted to announce that Dance for life 50+ is back! This is a 6 week programme for all adults 50+. This will include in various types of line dances such as slow waltz, cajun skip and many more! This programme is ideally suited for older adults as it provides social interaction whilst improving many health benefits. It will help improve balance, agility, strength and flexibility. Cost is €30 for 6 week programme. If you would like to take part, please contact Luke @ luke.condie@meathcoco.ie or on 046 9067337. Spaces are limited so make sure you don’t miss out!

Run Jump Throw

Run Jump Throw is a 6 week multi activity programme suitable for children with Autism or an Intellectual Disability aged 6-12 years. The sessions will include a variety of sports. Fun Games and obstacle challenges all adapted to the participants needs. The programme aims to improve the participants’ fundamental movement skills and increase their confidence in participating in regular physical activity. Family involvement is key to the programmes success and siblings are encouraged to take part! Parents are also asked to remain at the venue for the duration of the session. To book a place, please contact Terry at tdonegan@meathcoco.ie or call 046-9067337.

CARA Inclusive Volunteer in Sport programme launched

May 21, 2021

Cara Sport Inclusion Ireland in partnership with Sport Ireland, The Federation of Irish Sport and Volunteer Ireland are delighted to announce the launch of the Inclusive Volunteer in Sport programme today the 21^st of May 2021.

The programme aims to empower new and existing volunteers to become champions of inclusion, providing quality opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in sport and physical activity.  It will encourage and support participants to be more reflective of their practice in relation to the inclusion of people with disabilities.

The programme acknowledges the very important role that volunteers have across the sporting and physical activity sectors and shines the spotlight on the importance of providing equal opportunities for people with disabilities to participate and volunteer in sport and physical activity.

The programme is offering 100 free places to individuals who would like to volunteer or who are already volunteering within their club and community.   Each participant will receive online Inclusive Disability Training and will avail of an exciting opportunity to participate in our inclusive volunteer webinar, which is hosted by Rob Hartnett of Sport For Business.

Cara very much welcome applications from people with disabilities who are interested in volunteering and who would like to upskill in inclusion and disability.

Full details of the launch and the programme can be found on the website www.caracentre.ie/volunteer

The Governance Code for Sport – How to Comply

May 5, 2021

This Governance Code for Sport (the Code) is a voluntary code of practice for good governance of sport organisations in Ireland. Sport Ireland requires all National Sports Governing bodies to have the governance code adopted / in place in their organisation by 31st December 2021.

Now is the time to act to get all the five principles in place to enable the organisation to adopt the Code by 31st December 2021 deadline and be compliant.

The code is based on five principles:

1. Leading our organisation
2. Exercising control over our organisation
3. Being transparent and accountable
4. Working effectively
5. Behaving with integrity

The process involves three steps:

On the journey form-showing that your organisation is committed to starting the process as set out for its organisation type and is now on the Adoption Journey to become compliant Public statement of compliance form

Public Statement of Compliance Form showing that your organisation has completed the process and now complies with the principles of the Governance Code for Sport for a three-year period

Comply or Explain Form The Governance Code for Sport then identifies a series of recommended Board practices to support organisations to comply with the Code. This form must be completed to show that the recommendations have been implemented and embedded by your organisation

How can OSK help?

OSK can assist your organisation in completing ‘Principle Two Exercising control over our organisation’ as this principle deals with financial aspects of the Code:

• Identifying and complying with relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
• Making sure there are appropriate internal financial and management controls.
• Identifying major risks for our organisation and deciding ways of managing the risks.

So what does your organisation need to do to comply with ‘Principle 2 – Exercising control over our organisation’. The organisation must show that the following are in place:

1. Financial procedures manual
2. Internal controls
3. Audit Committee
4. Financial policies and financial reporting
5. Regulatory compliance
6. Risk assessment
7. Financial management

The team in OSK have developed a package to assist your organisation to put in place the policies and procedures to enable your organisation to comply with Principle 2 of the Code.

If you need assistance on this aspect of the Code please contact, Deirdre McDermott mcdermottd@osk.ie audit and advisor director and she will outline what services OSK Accountants can provide in relation to Principle 2 of the code and provide a quote for these services.

OSK is the official Audit and Accounting partner of the Federation of Irish Sport (FIS) and the preferred supplier of these services to the Federation’s members.