In 2019, Sport Ireland published their first women in sport policy, setting out their commitment to develop and support this expanding area. In 2020, they added to this with their findings focusing on gender diversity on boards of National Governing Bodies. Highlighting the need for a heterogeneous and diverse board to bring about positive change, improved communication, better decision making, and safe and inclusive environments within sport for all.

As a result, Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership (SSRP) want to take a closer look at the area of women’s involvement in sports clubs in Sligo, particularly those holding positions of leadership, in their many and varied forms including committee, voluntary, judging, officiating and coaching positions. Gaining an insight into the landscape of sport in Sligo will help us to decide how to best support clubs, and women and girls in this area. Generating opportunities for women will help create role models for young girls within their own area, offering them people to look up to and aspire to be like.

We are asking the sports clubs of Sligo to complete our survey to gather this vital information. All clubs that participate will be added to a draw to win one of four opportunities for €250. The information gathered from the survey will inform the creation of a woman in sport leadership programme.

You can find our survey HERE

A survey of this extent has never previously been completed at County level in Ireland. Clubs in Sligo will be a part of this all-important development, demonstrating their commitment to prioritising women’s sport. Their involvement will help create a cutting edge programme for women and girls, allowing them to upskill and expand their knowledge, which they can bring back to their clubs. Through this survey, clubs are given their opportunity to have their say, to influence the change and help develop it for the players, leaders and volunteers of their community.

The programme itself will include core principles including leadership skills, wellbeing, crisis management, resilience, among many others. With input from clubs themselves influencing the remaining topics. The purpose of this programme is to engage women, empower and upskill them in the area of leadership, offer them experiences they wouldn’t already have had. It can be an opportunity for women who were previously involved in sport to get back to their club and sport, and to further develop existing leaders. It is also expected that a network between women involved in sports across Sligo will be established, offering them an area to discuss various topics, to build relationships and offer support.

The SSRP LeadHERs in Sport initiative is being overseen by Community Sports Development Officer Siubhean Crowne who remarked; “women in sport is a hugely important and developing area and we’re delighted to be introducing such an exciting opportunity, we recognise the value of investment in such a key area. Having completed a similar course at a national level I recognise the value and benefits first hand, and I am enthused to offer the same opportunity to the women of Sligo.”

You can find our survey HERE . Be sure to encourage your club representative to fill it out to be in with a change of winning €250, and most importantly to influence the landscape of women in sport in Sligo.

For more information email CSDO Siubhean Crowne at siubhean@sligosportandrecreation.ie

For the past number of years Youth Sport West in association with Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership have produced an Annual Summer Camp Activities Brochure detailing all of the various camps and activities which take place throughout Sligo during the summer months. These camps provide the ideal opportunity for young people of all ages and abilities to participate in a range of sporting activities in a controlled, safe and fun environment.

Summer time is the perfect time for children to take part in various sporting activities and, by getting involved in quality experiences at this stage of their lives, it will increase the likelihood that they will stay involved in sport throughout the year and into later life.

If you are running a sport or multi activity camp in Sligo and your details are not listed here please contact SSRP office on 0719161511 or email theresa@sligosportandrecreation.ie with camp details.

To download a copy of the Annual Summer Camp Activity Brochure Click Here

Sport Ireland today (13th May 2021) released the Local Sports Partnership Annual Report 2020, which highlights the work of Sport Ireland’s network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) and the impact they have on participation levels by engaging key target populations across Ireland.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, Sport Ireland and the LSPs continued to provide national and local initiatives to ensure that everyone in society has the opportunity to share in the enjoyment as well as the mental and physical health benefits of sport and physical activity. The Report shows that 340,674 people participated in 1,132 locally delivered participation initiatives in 2020 and 3,646 Clubs/Groups were provided with funding supports by LSPs.

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin TD welcomed the publication of the Report: “The National Sports Policy recognises the key role played by the Local Sports Partnerships in sports participation and how they can assist in the delivery of the ambitious participation actions set out in the Policy. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the LSP network worked hard to develop new and innovative initiatives to target cohorts of the population who were most likely to be less active during the restrictions. This work will continue in to 2021 as we see the gradual return to sport and physical activity. Together we will work to increase access to sport and physical activity opportunities for all cohorts of the population”.

Minister of State for the Gaeltacht and Sport, Jack Chambers TD commented: “I commend the work of the LSPs and community organisations they worked with throughout a difficult year. By collaborating closely with organisations within and outside the sporting sector, the LSPs delivered a staggering range and variety of programmes and initiatives in communities throughout Ireland. As we move in to 2021 and beyond, the LSPs will continue to develop and deliver physical activity opportunities that are accessible and inclusive at a local level. I look forward to seeing the activities in the months and years to come as we move toward the target set out by the National Sports Policy”. 

Sport Ireland, through support from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media, along with the support of Dormant Accounts and Healthy Ireland funding, increased the provision of sport and physical activity services to harder to reach communities. In 2020, Sport Ireland allocated over €870,000 in Programme Funding to the LSP Network, an increase of 53% from the 2019 investment. Programme funding is at the core of the LSPs engagement with participants and allows for the delivery of a range of community, club and school based initiatives, programmes and events.

The number of people participating in Local Sports Partnerships initiatives has grown from 52,000 people in 2007 to 340,674 people in 2020. This high level measure indicates that the LSP network’s performance is improving and developing year on year.

Chairman of Sport Ireland, Kieran Mulvey, acknowledged the support provided by Government during the pandemic: “The work of the LSPs to deliver opportunities to be active throughout the pandemic was gratefully supported by the provision of the Government’s Covid-19 Resilience Fund and the Keep Well Funding. This funding supported the invaluable work of the LSPs during the pandemic. The LSP Small Grant Scheme of €1.9M supported 1,600 clubs, through this scheme LSPs supported local clubs and community groups with the costs associated with implementing Covid-19 hygiene and social distancing protocols. I would like to acknowledge Minister Chambers and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for their continued support and commitment to increasing sport and physical activity”.

John Treacy, Chief Executive Sport Ireland commented: “2020 was a very difficult year for the LSPs and sports participation in general. I must commend the staff and volunteers in the LSPs who adapted quickly and with agility to continue to support people to stay active during the pandemic. They embraced new ways of reaching the various groups in their community and worked together to deliver initiatives and resources at a national level.  Many LSP staff also answered the Community Call and provided direct community assistance where it was needed the most. Although participation numbers reduced in 2020 due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, we believe that the LSP network is well prepared and primed to promote a safe return to sport, in line with Government regulations. We are confident that as Government restrictions are gradually lifted LSPs will quickly return to, and even exceed, the high levels of engagement seen in 2019”.

Dr. Una May, Director of Participation and Ethics, Sport Ireland added: “The network of Local Sports Partnerships work closely with schools and community based initiatives to promote the benefits of sport and physical activity and to encourage participation. Through their local expertise and connections within the sports infrastructure, LSPs are able to identify specific needs and plan accordingly. This work continued throughout 2020 despite the challenges faced during the pandemic and I am confident that it will grow even stronger as we gradually return to sport. Over 7,000 participants took part in initiatives targeting older adults and 51% of all participants in locally delivered initiatives were women. We look forward to working with the network to continue to increase these numbers and expand the work further with other groups so that ultimately everyone can benefit from being involved in sport and physical activity”.

The full 2020 LSP Annual Report can be viewed HERE 

2020 LSP Annual Report Highlights:

• 29 Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs)
• 340,674 people participated in 1,132 locally delivered participation initiatives
• 51% of participants in LSP programmes were female, 47% were male, 2% other
• 109,302 girls and 64,975 women took part in LSP programmes
• 18,161 females took part in 130 targeted Women in Sport programmes
• 3,646 Clubs/Groups were provided with funding supports by LSPs
• 7,091 participants took part in initiatives targeting Older Adults
• 64,524 participants took part in interventions supported by the LSP network including Daily Mile, parkrun, Playground Markings, Active Homework initiatives, and provision of physical activity resources
• 16,243 people with a disability took part in LSP initiatives with an additional 2,037 people trained across Cara’s Disability Awareness, Autism in Sport & Disability Inclusion Training and Education programmes
• 2,894,209 visits to LSP website in 2020 (138% increase compared to 2019 – 1,214,746)
• 184,493 social media followers across all LSP social platforms(Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) 20% increase on 2019
• Sports Leaders and Volunteers completed 5,102 Safeguarding Courses
• LSPs planned and delivered 276 training and education courses, workshops and seminars with their partner agencies. 31,369 people participated in these courses

Check out the Infograph HERE  which captures the main highlights of the report

Impact of Covid-19 Restrictions on Sport and Recreational Walking detailed in new Sport Ireland report 

• Increase in number of adults walking for recreation
• Decrease in numbers partaking in organised sport due to Covid-19 restrictions
• Sport Ireland publishes Participation Plan 2021-2024 – Increasing Participation in Changing Ireland

 DOWNLOAD PLAN HERE

Sport Ireland today (11th May 2021) published the findings of the Irish Sports Monitor (ISM) 2021 Quarter 1 report, which shows that overall levels of physical activity have increased on 2019 figures despite a decrease in organised sport participation.

The research, conducted by Ipsos MRBI on behalf of Sport Ireland, examined the impact of Covid-19 restrictions on Sport and Recreational Walking in the period January – March 2021, comparing the results to the same period in 2019 and equivalent studies undertaken during the Covid-19 restrictions.

The number of adults walking for recreation is up from 65% in 2019 (the most recent Irish Sports Monitor report) to 76% in Q1 2021. This figure however is down from the all-time high of 80% during April to May last year. Running and cycling have experienced similar fluxes, with today’s report showing an increase on the same period in  2019 but a decrease in participation levels during Covid-19 restrictions.

The release of the research findings coincides with the publication of Sport Ireland’s Participation Plan 2021-2024 – Increasing Participation in Changing Ireland. The Participation Plan outlines how Sport Ireland will continue to help people get active by removing barriers to participation in sport and physical activity in the coming years. The Sport Ireland Participation Plan actions will be delivered through Local Sports Partnerships, National Governing Bodies, strategic partners, clubs, communities and individuals.

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, stated: “It is heartening to see the number of people walking is significantly ahead of 2019 figures and has remained so throughout the restrictions. The reduction in sports participation is a concern but I am confident that this will improve as we see the gradual reopening of facilities over the coming months.  This optimism is reflected in the 89% of respondents who say they will return to the activity they gave up as a result of Covid-19.

“The long term plan to increase participation is addressed in the comprehensive Participation Plan. The Programme for Government set new and ambitious objectives for sport, most notably an increase in the participation goals from 50% of adults regularly playing sport to 60% by 2027. The launch of the Plan today is a huge step towards achieving those targets.  As we start to see the gradual return to sport with outdoor facilities re-opening and children returning to training, we must all continue to make sport and physical activity a part of our daily lives”.  

Minister of State for Sport and the Gaeltacht, Jack Chambers TD commented: “Throughout the pandemic we have acknowledged the important role that sport and physical activity plays in all our lives, benefitting our physical health and mental wellbeing. Today’s research highlights the resilience of the people of Ireland and their commitment and flexibility to maintaining active lifestyles, even in the face of a global pandemic.  On a positive note, as during the first period of restrictions, the gender gap in participation has been eliminated with equal proportions of men and women participating in sport. I am happy to see the release today of the ambitious plan to increase participation in the long term and also to address the huge impact that Covid-19 has had on sport participation over the past year. The comprehensive actions outlined in the plan are underpinned by the commitment of Government to double the annual investment in sports participation by 2027 as set out in the National Sports Policy. This investment will provide security to LSPs and NGBs to drive the increase in participation. The vision of creating a country where everyone can regularly enjoy taking part in sport and physical activity for life is one that is shared not only by Sport Ireland and the Department but also the many stakeholders and organisations who will support the delivery of the Plan over the coming five years”.

Equivalent research undertaken by Ipsos MRBI during Covid-19 restrictions found that rather than giving up on sport and physical activity, the people of Ireland adapted their behaviours and took up new sports and activities.  Last year, declines in indoor sports, team sports and organised sport due to imposed restrictions were offset by unprecedented increases in outdoor activities such as running, cycling and recreational walking as well as home based personal exercise and weight training.

However, today’s report, covering the period January to March 2021 shows the gains made in running, cycling and home based exercise last year have receded. Sports participation decreased to 35% – the lowest level since 2007.  This contrasts to one of the highest levels of sports participation recorded of 47% in the same time period of 2019.  The decrease was seen across all age groups and in both genders.  44% of respondents reported having given up one or more sports or physical activities due to Covid-19.

The upward trend in recreational walking continues in this quarter’s report with three in four adults walking for recreation on a regular basis.  There is also hope for indoor sports and organised sport as

89% of people who have given up one or more sports/activities during the pandemic say they intend to return once restrictions allow.

The Sport Ireland Participation Plan is built on, and guided by, the National Sports Policy 2018-2027 (NSP) and the Sport Ireland Strategy 2018-2022. The Participation Plan takes into consideration Healthy Ireland – A Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013–2025 and the National Physical Activity Plan as well as global and national developments.

Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, John Treacy commented, “While the quarter 1 Irish Sports Monitor results show a decline in sport participation levels during Covid-19 restrictions, it is encouraging to see that the level of recreational walking has remained high. The last year has been very difficult for everyone and for the sports sector as whole.  Sport Ireland and the sport sector is committed to helping everyone in Ireland get active and experience the incredible health benefits sport has to offer. The Participation Plan 2021-2024, published today, will help address any negative impact on participation as a result of Covid-19 as well as build on the strong foundations put in place through the hard work of everyone in the sector. Support from all departments across Government will be required if we are to create an environment and culture that lends itself to sport and physical activity. Cooperation among all stakeholders will be key to achieving the ambition to make participation a way of life that is enjoyed equally by everyone in society. I look forward to working together with all involved to make an impactful change in the years to come”.

The announcement today coincides with the publication of two important international pieces of research which highlight the significant health benefits associated with being physically active during the pandemic. Research from Glasgow Caledonian University^[1] found that physical activity reduces the risk of illness with Covid-19 and increases the efficacy of vaccination.  Research published in the British Journal of Medical Science^[2] found that of a sample of 48,440 people in America who were diagnosed with Covid-19, those who were physically active on a regular basis had lower odds of being hospitalised, requiring ICU admission or dying from Covid-19. These publications recommend promoting the importance of physical activity during the pandemic and suggest combining vaccination campaigns with safe physical activity programmes to boost vaccine effectiveness.

Director of Participation and Ethics, Sport Ireland, Dr. Una May added: “Overall the findings of today’s ISM are positive. However, they do show the difficulty in increasing participation levels during restrictions. We are happy to see the return of some sports this month and work is underway by NGBs and LSPs to encourage people to return safely to sport and physical activity in the weeks and months ahead. The decrease in participation across lower socio-economic groups is an area of concern and one that will be addressed by the Participation Plan. The plan aims to work with those most at risk of having lower sports participation and physical activity levels. By working closely with our stakeholders and partners, we will support innovative, inclusive and collaborative programmes, which will address the challenges posed by demographic, social and economic changes in the years to come”.

Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership and our partners in Ballinalack Community Park are delighted to launch a video for the outdoor gym. The outdoor gym is located in the rear of the park and hosts an impressive 10 pieces of equipment designed for all abilities and fitness levels. This outdoor gym was funded through Sport Irelands Capital funding in 2019 under the Bunninadden Community Sports Hub Initiative.

This collaborative approach to prepare a video between SSRP and the Ballinalack Community Park committee aims to guide you through the correct use of the equipment. SSRP coach Paul Murray talks through how to get on each piece, how to use it and how to dismount the equipment safely. The park hosts some varied pieces to strengthen and increase fitness levels whilst being outdoors which is fantastic for mental wellbeing also and particularly important in these times.

We hope this video will allow more users to access the outdoor gym. Stay tuned for upcoming outdoor gym programmes.

View video HERE