The project objectives include:
This is achieved through the provision of inclusive activities and programmes facilitated through a range of sports clubs and in identified community settings.
Below are some examples of Club/Community led inclusive initiatives.
Enjoy Tennis Programme
Enjoy Tennis is a programme developed by Tennis Ireland in conjunction with local services, groups involved in the provision of activities for people with disabilities.
The aim of the programme is to create access to Tennis for people with disabilities. The initiative in Sligo currently caters for people with Intellectual Disabilities through its ID Tennis programme and for people who are Visually Impaired through its Blind Tennis programme.
Sligo Tennis Club is now linked with the programme which takes place on a weekly basis.
Tandem Cycling
This initiative targets people with a visual impairment. SSRP provides tandem road bikes to people with a visual impairment who would like to try out the sport of cycling. The programme relies on the availability of sighted pilots to support people with visual impairments to avail of regular spins.
If someone in your community is interested in becoming a tandem pilot please contact Shane Hayes on 071 9161511 or shane@sligosportandrecreation.ie
Horse Riding
There are currently a number of elements to the Horse Riding programme for adults and young people with a disability available through the SSRP Sports Inclusion Project. A series of programmes targeting both adults and young people of all ability levels continue to be facilitated and delivered through Keash Equestrian Centre.
These initiatives including an Equine Assisted Therapy programme promote and encourage independence through participation and life learning with a specific emphasis on fostering positive physical and mental health.
Open Archery
Archery for people with a disability has been operating successfully in Sligo through a partnership established between SSRP and the Carrowmore Archers Club.
The club delivers regular ‘Have a Go ‘Archery days on a monthly basis to promote the sport further and give people with a disability the opportunity to try out the sport of Archery. The ‘Have a Go’ days are delivered by experienced and qualified Archery instructors.
Football for All
Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership with support from the FAI developed a Football for All Club based programme in County Sligo in 2018. This Football For All initiative provides opportunities for people of all abilities to participate in the sport through local soccer clubs.
Table Tennis
In conjunction with Sligo City Table Tennis Club the Sports Inclusion Disability project has created opportunities for people with a disability to play the sport of Table Tennis in a club setting.
Athletics
The Xcessible Indoor Athletics programme targets primary school aged children (5 – 12 yr olds) with disabilities attending both special schools and Autism Units within mainstream schools in County Sligo.
The children involved participate in a school based programme delivered by qualified Athletics coaches culminating in an Xcessible Indoor Athletics Festival. Following this a pathway of participation has been established with Sligo AC to enable children who would like to continue participating in the sport of Athletics to do so through the local club.
Gym Able
Gym Able is an inclusive Gymnastics programme developed by Gymnastics Ireland to increase opportunities for people with disabilities to engage in the sport of Gymnastics.
In Sligo the initiative is run by SSRP in conjunction with local Gymnastics club Dy Namo who provides support in the form of qualified coaches and state of the art Gym facilities.
The programmes are currently run on an outreach basis through local special schools and disability units within mainstream schools.
Surfing
The Sports Inclusion Disability programme facilitates a number of Surfing initiatives targeting young people with Autism. They include ‘Surf 4 All’ and ‘Surf Therapy’ which are supported through local Surf clubs and Surf schools in County Sligo.
North West Stormers
The North West Stormers junior multi-sport club was set-up in association with IWA Sport to help provide young people with physical disabilities with the opportunity to participate in regular sport in a safe and supportive environment. The club have been operating for two years and participates in a range of indoor and outdoor sporting activities.
If your club or community would like to find out more about facilitating programming for people with a disability please contact:
Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership currently run a range of sporting and active recreational programmes and initiatives for people with a disability in County Sligo. Central to the success of these programmes is the recruitment of suitable volunteers to assist and support the participants during these activities. SSRP is always looking for volunteers to assist in this area.
There may also be additional volunteering opportunities with SSRP on our various other programmes and initiatives in addition to the Sports Inclusion Disability programme. If this is of interest to you please Shane Hayes, Sports Inclusion Disability Officer to explore these opportunities further: