Mayo Sports Partnership Profile

Background

Established in November 2004 the Sports Partnerships main aim is to increase participation in sport and physical activity among all sectors of the community.

It has three main functions:

Information – To establish a consultation process with sport clubs and organisations and to identify their needs and resources. Initiate research and compile a sports directory. One stop shop for sport in Mayo.

Education– Provide quality opportunities for training courses for volunteers held locally.

Implementation – To develop sports policy within the county through a strategic plan for sport in Mayo and select participation programmes to suit local needs.

We are also involved in facilitating and co-ordinating a number of targeted programmes, projects and initiatives at local level. Target groups include Disadvantaged, Youth at Risk, People with a Disability, Teenage Girls / Women, Older People and Unemployed.

Staff

The Sports Partnership office managed by Sports Co-ordinator Charlie Lambert also contains Administrator Padraic Durcan, Sports Inclusion Disability Officer Ray Mc Namara and Community Sports Project Worker Anne Ronayne.

During 2012 some of our major projects and initiatives included:

Middle Aged Men

Men on the Move

The Mayo Men on the Move Initiative arose from an allocation from the HSE to deliver a physical activity programme for men aged over 35. Middle ages men

More than 150 men all aged 35 plus from the Ballina, Belmullet, Claremorris and Westport areas are engaged in this unique physical activity programme co-ordinated by the Mayo Sports Partnership.

This programme has now been extended to other locations in the County with approximately 200 men now participating on a continuous basis in this programme.

Teenage Girls and Women

3rd West of Ireland Womens Mini Marathon:

On Mini Marathon MayoSunday 5th May 2012  3,000 women ran, jogged, walked and strolled the 10km route in the third annual West of Ireland Women’s Mini Marathon in Castlebar. As a ‘women in sport’ project the Western People West of Ireland Womens Mini Marathon is a prime example of sustained increases in participation by women in local sports. Examples are that Mayo, Westport, Ballina, Swinford ACs all have increased their membership each year after the mini marathon as well as their associated groups in Ballinrobe, Ballyhaunis, Castlebar and Claremorris. In all 8 Meet and Train Groups are now in operation which has doubled in the last 2 years.

Jobseekers

Goal to Work East Mayo

Mayo Sports Partnership was involved in the organisation and delivery of  “Goal to Work” sports coach training programme in Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo. TMayo Sportshis training programme gave 12 unemployed people an opportunity to become trained soccer/gaelic and rugby coaches.

Progression rates were impressive for newly trained coaches, of the twelve who took part in the 14 week training programme (2 days per week and 3 weekends) two progressed into full-time employment, two into part-time employment, one into 3rd level education, two on to internships, and another onto a community employment scheme.

People with a Disability:

Handcycling Programme

Handcyclin MayoThe Hand and Tandem Cycling eight week programme established by Mayo Sports Partnership in conjunction with IWA Sport, Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland and Cairdeas, Kilmovee Family Resource centre and supported by Mayo County Development Board proved a huge success. The programme run by Gerry Towey and Donal Harington from Ballaghaderreen Cycling club, giving instruction and showing lots of young cyclists and Para-Cyclists the way forward. A hand cycling programme took place every Thursday over the summer months.

Club Development Work:

Recreational GAA

In November 2012 MSP helped to fund a series of Camán Abú adult recreational hurling workshop sessions in Mayo. From the workshops – three clubs sprouted – registering with CrokePark for Camán Abú – and who now host regular Camán Abú sessions. These clubs – in Claremorris, Ballina James Stephens HC and Ballyvary – can now offer a recreational hurling outlet for adults in a fun and safe environment.

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Pic: A group from Claremorris participating in the Caman Abú sessions

The Sports Partnership office is situated at the CedarBuilding ( Beside Roadstone) Moneen, Castlebar however if you need more information contact the Partnership at 094-9047025,e-mail msp@mayococo.ie or log onto www.mayosports.ie

Factfile

–          15,000 people participated in locally delivered programmes in 2012

–          Represents 500 sports clubs / organisations in the county

–          Co-organises the largest participation event for women in the West of Ireland namely the West of Ireland Womens

Mini Marathon

–          In 2012 5,000 people contacted the Sports Partnership to access general or specific sport-related information

–          Over 50% of total funding is leveraged locally through partner contributions and benefit in kind