Download the new plan in full  HERE

Download the Executive Summary HERE 

John Treacy, Chief Executive of Sport Ireland was in Sligo on Wednesday last 12th December to launch the Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership’s new strategy ‘Building a Culture of Sport and Physical Activity 2018 – 2023’.

The launch took place at County Hall, Sligo County Council with over one hundred people in attendance representing the many target groups, clubs, communities and agencies with which the Partnership works.

Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr. Paul Taylor and SSRP Board member was on hand to welcome the guests to the launch and in his address he paid tribute to all involved in the development of sport in the County which he stated was evident from the significant progress in recent years in both the area of facility development and sports participation opportunities for people of all fitness levels.

A highlight of the evening was the viewing of a video compiled by the Partnership which captured a diverse range of community sports programmes which it supports.

Maire Mc Callion, Chairperson of SSRP acknowledged the commitment to sport and physical activity shown by the sporting clubs and community organisations, the SSRP Board of Directors, statutory agencies and the staff of the Partnership. She outlined that the next phase of SSRP’s work will focus on four goals; Increase Participation, Build Capacity, Enhance Communications and Strengthen the Organisation. She signalled the intent of SSRP to continue to work in a co-ordinated and integrated way with sporting groups and local agencies.

Ciarán Hayes, Chief Executive of Sligo County Council spoke of the valuable contribution sport makes to quality of life and he paid tribute to the work of the sports clubs , communities, agencies and SSRP who work to deliver sporting opportunities.

In launching the plan John Treacy was highly complementary of the work of SSRP and all the sporting groups on the ground in Sligo stating “The vision Sport Ireland had for Local Sports Partnerships at the outset is truly being realised in Sligo through the collaborative engagement involving all partners with Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership playing a leadership role”. He went on to say “It is about the community groups, the sporting clubs, the Sports Partnership and all the agencies working together, and this partnership has worked very well in Sligo”.

For photos from the night please see our Facebook page

Sligo County Council’s  Cathaoirleach’s Awards for 2018 were launched at County Hall recently. The Awards scheme was introduced to honour people who have given special, voluntary service to their community. The Award categories are:

• Arts & Culture
• Young Enterprise
• Environment/Heritage
• Community – Individual
• Community – Group
• Spirit of Sligo Award
• Sports
• Schools – Group/Class

Each category winner will be awarded with a specially commissioned presentation piece at an Awards Ceremony at County Hall on Thursday 13^th December, 2018.

The closing date for receipt of nominations for the 2018 Awards is Wednesday 21^st  November 2018.

Nomination forms and further information are available as follows:

• Click on nomination form HERE 
• Download from Sligo County Council’s website  sligococo.ie
• Queries can also be directed to Tel: 071 911 1111, or email corporate@sligococo.ie

The 2018 Sports Capital Programme is now open for applications as of Friday 7th September with a closing date of 5pm on Friday 19th October, 2018. Any organisation wishing to make an application under the Programnme must be registered on OSCAR by 5pm on Friday 5th October, 2018. Applications are being sought from sports clubs, voluntary and community groups, national governing bodies of sport and local authorities. Third level colleges, Education and Training Boards and schools may only apply for funding jointly with sports clubs.

For all information see www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie

INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
A number of changes have been made to the 2018 Sports Capital Programme so please read this guide fully and carefully before applying online.
All applications, including supporting documentation, must be submitted online. Applications by post or email will not be accepted and will be returned. If you have not previously registered, your organisation must register on the website
first and your organisation must have a Tax Registration Number from the Revenue
Commissioners to register.

The deadline for registration is 5pm on Friday 5th October

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 19th October

The Sports Capital Programme (SCP) is operated by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and provides grants to assist in the development or refurbishment of sports facilities and the provision of sports equipment.
The Programme’s objectives are to:
 Assist voluntary and community organisations, national governing bodies (NGBs) of sport, local authorities and Education and Training Boards and schools to develop high quality, accessible, safe, well-designed, sustainable facilities in appropriate locations and to provide appropriate equipment to help maximise participation in sport and physical recreation.
 Prioritise the needs of disadvantaged areas and groups (such as people with disabilities) in the provision of sports facilities.
 Encourage the sharing of sports facilities by clubs, community organisations and national governing bodies of sport.

Who can apply for a Grant?
Grants are available to sports clubs, voluntary and community groups, national governing bodies of sport, and local authorities. Third level colleges
Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and schools may only apply for funding jointly with sports clubs or organisations.

Registration. 
Any organisation that wishes to make an application must first be registered at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie. A separate guide is available to the registration process at http://www.dttas.gov.ie/sites/default/files/corporate/guide-registering-scp-online.pdf  The Sports clubs within schools and third level colleges are not entitled to apply for funding even when joined to another sports club.

Application Deadline
All applications must be made by 5pm on Friday 19th October. The online system will be shut down at this time and no late or partial applications will be accepted. If you have not clicked the “Save and Submit” button on the final page of the application form by this deadline your application will not be considered. You are strongly advised to start the application process as soon as possible as it may not be possible for the Department to help
you nearer to the deadline due to the volume of calls and emails. When you have submitted your application you are strongly advised to save and/or print a copy of the “Grant Application Submitted” page. You may need this later as evidence of making your application. Applications by post or by email will not be accepted and will be returned.

How to apply
The only way to apply for grants is on the Online Sports Capital Register (OSCAR system) at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie. The website also allows those registered to view previous applications, grants and payments, change contact details, seek payment of a grant and otherwise communicate with the Department. To make an application go to www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie and log in using the tax registration number and password used at registration stage. The application wizard will guide you through the application process and you can save and review your work as you fill out the form. As the system will log you out after a period of inactivity it is important that you regularly save your application using the “Save” button at the bottom of each page. You can return to it later when you have more information or electronic documents ready to upload. On each page some fields are mandatory. If you try and proceed without filling in these fields text will appear beneath each mandatory field stating what needs to be added. Applicants must note that funding is limited and that this is a competitive process. Simply meeting the minimum criteria under the headings above does not guarantee funding.

SPORTS CAPITAL PROGRAMME WORKSHOPS 

The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport are hosting a number regional workshops to assist applicants with the 2018 programme. The workshops will be given by staff in the Sports Capital section and will cover common pitfalls, a page by page guide to the application form and a questions and answers session. To get the maximum benefit from the event please read the guide beforehand.

Details of the Workshops are below:

DUBLIN – Cusack Stand, Croke Park, 7-9pm, Monday 1 October
GALWAY – Institute for Lifecourse and Society, NUI Galway, 7-9pm, Monday 1 October
WATERFORD – WIT Arena, 7-9pm, Tuesday 2 October
LONGFORD – Longford Rugby Club, 7-9pm, Tuesday 2 October
DONEGAL – The Abbey Hotel Donegal, 7-9pm, Wednesday 3 October
KERRY – Institute of Technology Tralee, 7-9pm, Friday 5th October

Go to eventbrite to book your place – max 2 seats per organisation.

Free webinar which explores what Safeguarding Children in the Digital World means for Sport is taking place on Monday the 8^th of October 2018 from 4 – 5pm. To register see ineqe.com/webinar

2018 Go for Life Grant Scheme

One of the main elements of the Go for Life Programme is the National Grant Scheme for Sport and Physical Activity for Older People. Running since November 2001, each year Go for Life allocate money to local groups all over the country, who are seeking to provide increased opportunities for older people to participate in sport and physical activity.

The Grant Scheme is a joint initiative between Age & Opportunity’s Go for Life programme and Sport Ireland.  Grants are available to all eligible local clubs, groups and organisations that promote increased participation in recreational sport or physical activity for older people as a main element of their activities. (SEE BELOW)

The Go for Life Grant Scheme for 2018 is now open for applications with a deadline for return of application forms of :
12 noon, Friday 28^th September 2018.  

Download an application form HERE 

All applications must be sent to: gfl.grants@ageandopportunity.ie

Postal applications can be sent to:

The National Grant Scheme for Sport and Physical Activity for Older People
Go for Life Programme
Age & Opportunity
St Patrick’s Hall
Marino Institute of Education
Griffith Avenue
Dublin 9

If emailing your application form it is not necessary to send in a hard copy

N.B. Late applications will not be considered.  It is the responsibility of grant applicants to ensure that grant forms are received by Go for Life on time (see above address, date and time)

The form is also available at http://www.ageandopportunity.ie/what-we-do/physical-activity-sport/go-for-life-grant-scheme

Who can apply?

Grants are available to all eligible local clubs, groups and organisations that promote increased participation in recreational sport or physical activity for older people as a main element of their activities. Commercial, statutory or umbrella bodies, or their agents, are not eligible for funding under this grant scheme. An exception to this are Local Sports Partnerships who are eligible to apply. Day centres completely funded and directed by statutory bodies, such as the HSE, are not eligible.

Grants are made available for sport or physical activity for older people and the overall membership of applicants must be such that older people will be the beneficiaries of the grant monies. Funding for sports clubs will not be considered unless the application specifically relates to older people. Only one application per group will be considered.

Overall aim

The National Grant Scheme aims to assist in the implementation of locally-developed, well-planned initiatives designed to increase participation in recreational sport and physical activity by older people. In particular, the scheme is aimed at:

• supporting the work of Go for Life including the network of PALs (Physical Activity Leaders) and the development of Go for Life Games and other initiatives;
• assisting local clubs/organisations to enhance existing opportunities for their members in recreational sport and physical activity;
• assisting local clubs/organisations to start new initiatives geared at involving older people in recreational sport and physical activity.

Go for Life 2018 Funding Workshop –  18th September 2018

To assists clubs in making applications to the Scheme, Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership is hosting a Go for Life Funding Workshop on Tuesday 18th September, 2.30-4.30pm in the Sligo Park Hotel (Hazelwood Suite).
Places should be booked in advance by contacting Shane Hayes, Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership at 071 9161511 or email shane@sligosportandrecreation.ie

See our latest Newsletter News Active – July 2018 and check out what has been happening in Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership in the first half of 2018…

The Policy can be found here

The Minster for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr. Shane Ross, TD, and the Minister with responsibility for Tourism and Sport, Mr. Brendan Griffin, TD, have just launched (25/07/2018) the Government’s National Sports Policy 2018–2027 at the St Laurence O’Toole Recreation Centre, Sherriff Street, in Dublin’s North Inner City.

The National Sports Policy 2018–2027 has been developed through an extensive public consultation process and collaboration with the sports sector and other stakeholders. The High-Level Goals of the National Sports Policy are:

• Increased Participation
• More Excellence
• Improved Capacity

Key targets of the National Sports Policy 2018–2027 include:

• Overall participation in sport to rise from 43% to 50% of the population by 2027 (the equivalent of an extra 260,0000 people participating in sport)
• More targeted high performance funding to deliver more Olympic/Paralympic medals (From the securing of 13 medals in 2016 to a target of 20 in 2028)
• All funded sports bodies adopting the Governance Code for the Community, Voluntary and Charity (CVC) Sector.

Launching the National Sports Policy 2018-2027, Ministers Ross and Griffin reaffirmed the Government’s intention to doubling funding for sport, from €112million in 2018 to €220million in 2027. The Government will also seek to deliver greater certainty in funding year-on-year, particularly in respect of Sport Ireland high performance funding.

The Ministers expressed their intention to begin implementing the National Sports Policy 2018–2027 without delay. Recalling the commitments for future funding of Sports Capital Programmes announced earlier this year in the National Development Plan, they indicated their intention to also seek additional funding for Sport Ireland programmes in the 2019 Estimates, to support, amongst other measures:

• doubling of funding for the Women in Sport programme to €2million
• creation of a dedicated €1m programme for Disability Sport through the deployment of a Sport Inclusion Disability Officer in all 26 LSPs countrywide
• €1.5m allocation to high performance programmes in support of Tokyo 2020 preparations

Minister Ross said: “The publication of this policy is an important milestone for the Irish sporting community and sets out a Vision for Irish Sport in 2027, along with 57 actions to transform our sporting landscape over the next decade. Increasing participation is the cornerstone of this policy. We want to see every citizen engaging regularly in some form of sport and physical activity, irrespective of their background or their physical capabilities. Together with the stakeholders across all levels of sport in this country, we will relentlessly pursue the aims of this policy to elevate Ireland to the top of the table globally for both participation in sport and high performance over the next decade.”

Minister Griffin outlined the ambitions of the Government’s National Sports Policy 2018–2027 to significantly improve the sporting landscape in this country: “The benefits of sport and physical activity to our population are clear and sport is a valuable asset to communities across the country. The availability of quality sports facilities is key to raising standards and Government investment in recent years at the National Sports Campus and throughout the country is proof of our commitment to sustaining this investment to our sporting infrastructure. The National Sports Policy 2018-2027 also sees continued support of our high performance athletes to keep on inspiring the generations that follow after them in their particular sport. I would hope to see a significant increase in our high performance investment over the next decade, to some €30 million annually.”

The Policy can be found here.

Check out the ‘East City Activity Guide, Issue 4 to see what’s happening over May to September 2018

DOWNLOAD GUIDE HERE

PLEASE NOTE: Safeguarding training will resume in Autumn 2018. Please keep in contact with our website from September  onward for more details.  

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Safeguarding 1 Basic Awareness Training, Monday 30th April 2018  FULLY BOOKED 

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Safeguarding 1 Basic Awareness Training: Monday 14th May 2018   FULLY BOOKED 

Sligo Sport and Recreation will be hosting a ‘Safeguarding 1 Basic Awareness course on Child Welfare and Protection in Sport’ on Monday 14th  May next. This 3 hour course has been devised by and is certified by Sport Ireland and aims to effectively educate participants on the implementation of best practice in protecting the welfare of children involved in sport.
Limited places are available on the course and pre-booking is essential as it is on a first come first served basis. Each individual must fill out an application form and return with fee to the address below by Fri 27th April 2018. Participants must be 18 years of age to do this course. For more information contact Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership at 071–91 61511 or info@sligosportandrecreation.ie

NOTE: PARTICIPANTS MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE TO COMPLETE THIS COURSE. Places are allocated on a first-come first-served basis on receipt of completed form and fee. 

Venue: Sligo Education Centre (IT Sligo Campus, Ballinode)

Date: Mon 14th May 2018

Time: 6.30pm – 9.30pm

Cost: €15 per person

Download form NA–  FULLY BOOKED

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Safeguarding 2 Club Children’s Officer Course:  Monday 21st May 2018   FULLY BOOKED 

Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership will be hosting a Club Children’s Officer Course on Monday 21st May next, as part of club training on the ‘Child Welfare and Protection in Sport’. This Club Children’s Officer’s course presents a great opportunity for sports clubs to lead the way in terms of models of good practice for children’s sport. The training will provide information and resources on how to put in place effective Child Protection measures in your sports club. Recommendations from Sport Ireland are that every club involved with children and young people should appoint a Children’s Officer. This person should be child centred in focus and should have as their primary aim the establishment of a child centred ethos within the club. They are the link between the children and the adults in the club and also take responsibility for monitoring and reporting to the Club Management Committee on how club policy etc, impacts on children and their Sports Leaders.
NOTE: Those who wish to attend the training have first completed Sport Ireland’s Safeguarding 1 Basic Awareness Course. Places are allocated on a first-come first-served basis on receipt of completed form and fee. Each individual must fill out an application form and return with fee to the address below by Fri 4th May 2018.

Venue: Sligo Education Centre (IT Sligo Campus, Ballinode)

Date: Mon 21st May 2018

Time: 6.30pm – 9.30pm

Cost: €15 per person

Download form NA–  FULLY BOOKED

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Safeguarding 3 Designated Liaison Persons Workshop:  Monday 28th May 2018   

Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership will be hosting a Designated Liaison Persons Workshop as part of training on the ‘Child Welfare and Protection in Sport’; this is the third part of Sport Ireland’s Child Welfare & Protection Training programme. Every club/organisation should designate a person to be responsible for dealing with any concerns about the protection of children. The Designated Liaison Person is responsible for reporting allegations or suspicions of child abuse to TUSLA, the Child and Family Agency or Social Services (NI) and/or An Garda Siochána/PSNI. It is recommended that this person is a senior club person. However, if there is difficulty identifying a separate individual to take this role, the Club Children’s Officer can be appointed as Designated Liaison Person once the club/organisation is clear about the responsibilities of each role. The organisation’s child protection policy and procedures should include the name and contact details of the Designated Liaison Person and the responsibilities attached to the role.

NOTE:  It is essential that the person appointed to the Designated Liaison Person position in a club must have completed Safeguarding 1, the Basic Awareness Workshop in Child Welfare & Protection and should endeavor to complete Safeguarding 3 the Designated Liaison Persons workshop within 6 months of taking up the role. Limited places are available on the course and pre-booking is essential as it is on a first come first served basis. Each individual must fill out an application form and return it, with fee, to the address below by Fri 11th May 2018.

A club may appoint the same person to both the Club Children’s Officer and Designated Liaison Person positions however best practice advises that they are kept as separate roles.

Venue: Sligo Education Centre (IT Sligo Campus, Ballinode)

Date: Monday 28th May 2018

Time: 6.30pm – 9.30pm

Cost: €15 per person

Download form HERE 

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Safeguarding 1 Online Refresher Training (launched March 2017) 

Sport Ireland has gone live with their online Safeguarding 1 Refresher, a web based education resource aimed at providing further training to those who have previously attended a Safeguarding workshop or equivalent.

The content contains four modules which will provide persons in roles with regular responsibility for children an opportunity to learn about:
best practice procedure; understanding of why safeguarding children and young people in sport is important; recognising the different categories of child abuse and identify the signs of abuse; and the responding, recording and reporting issues of poor practice or abuse.

The refresher course content was developed by Sport Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland in collaboration with welfare officers from a number of National Governing Bodies for Sport.

The web resource was designed in collaboration with Ineqe Group, who specialise in safeguarding and child protection, both in the offline world and in the digital world.

To undertake the online Refresher training clink on the following link below. Following completion of the online training you will be issued with a digital cert. Please note this digital cert is only valid in conjunction with your original Safeguarding 1 certificate.

https://able.ineqe.com/apps/sportireland/coaches/

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If you would like to be notified by email of upcoming courses, please drop us an email at info@sligosportandrecreation.ie   or call us on 07191 61511. For details of Sport Ireland’s Child Protection Training see below.  

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Irish Sports Council (now Sport Ireland) Review of Child Protection Training (Jan 2015)

Safeguarding 1 – Basic Awareness Workshop in Child Welfare & Protection – a must for anyone working with children

All Coaches, Club Children’s Officers and Designated Liaison Persons must first complete the 3 hour Child Welfare & Protection Basic Awareness Course. This course educates participants on the implementation of best practice in protecting the welfare of children involved in sport.

The old six hour Children’s Officer Training Course has been replaced by two separate three hour courses.

Safeguarding 2 – Club Children’s Officer (CCO) Workshop – a must for all Club Children’s Officers

A Club Children’s Officer should be child centered in focus and have as the primary aim the establishment of a child centered ethos within the club. S/he is the link between the children and the adults in the club. S/he also takes responsibility for monitoring and reporting to the Club Management Committee on how club policy impacts on young people and Sports Leaders.

A person appointed to the Club Children’s Officer position in a club must have completed the Child Welfare & Protection Basic Awareness workshop and should complete the NEW Club Children’s Officer 3 hour Training Course. This course will help the Club Children’s Officer to carry out the function of their role in the club and support the implementation of best practice in the club. Participants will also receive a Club Children’s Officer Action Planning document as part of the training.

Safeguarding 3 – Designated Liaison Person (DLP) Workshop

The third part of the ISC Child Welfare & Protection Training Programme is the Designated Liaison Person workshop. 

Every club/organisation should designate a person to be responsible for dealing with any concerns about the protection of children. The Designated Liaison Person is responsible for reporting allegations or suspicions of child abuse to TUSLA Child and Family Agency or Social Services (NI) and/or An Garda Siochána / PSNI. It is recommended that this person is a senior club person. However, if there is difficulty identifying a separate individual to take this role, the Club Children’s Officer can be appointed as Designated Liaison Person once the club/organisation is clear about the responsibilities of each role. The organisation’s child protection policy and procedures should include the name and contact details of the Designated Liaison Person and the responsibilities attached to the role.

A person appointed to the Designated Liaison Person position in a club must have completed the Basic Awareness Workshop in Child Welfare & Protection and should complete the NEW Designated Liaison Person 3 hour workshop. A club may appoint the same person to both the CCO and DLP positions however best practice advises that they are kept as separate roles.

Download a summary of the review Here