Mayo Sports Partnership going from strength to strength
Annual report reveals extent of ongoing progress
UP to 13,760 people participating in 81 locally delivered programmes, 2,422 female participants in eight Women in Sport Programmes, the 10th Western People Women’s Mini Marathon, Dormant Account funding for two Community Sports Hubs in Ballyhaunis and Ballinrobe and funding for an Urban Adventure Sports Initiative at Lough Lannagh, Castlebar, were just some of the highlights from the 2019 annual report of the Mayo Sports Partnership.
Launching the 2019 report, Sports Partnership chairman, Councillor Michael Loftus, paid tribute to communities and volunteers across the length and breadth of the county.
“Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, every day, in communities across Mayo, Mayo Sports Partnership continues to help people to get active while removing barriers to physical activity and involvement in sport,” he said.
The report, describing the workings of the Sports Partnership during 2019, particularly highlighted the involvement of 516 people with a disability in 18 initiatives, including Mayo Autism Camp and Learn2Cycle programmes.
Other highlights from the report demonstrate that Mayo Sports Partnership and its stakeholders provided physical activity opportunities for some 5,696 children, with 780 volunteers attending 19 training and education events.
In addition, the sports umbrella body provided funding support to 150 clubs and 20 community groups.
A total of 21,232 people were also provided with general or specific sport-related information through MSP online, social media or text promotion.
Councillor Loftus also thanked key stakeholders John Treacy and staff in Sport Ireland, interim CEO of Mayo County Council Peter Duggan, Acting Director of Services John Magee, Head of Community and Integrated Development Anne McCarthy, Mayo Sports Partnership board members along with the many other partners who contribute to the continued development of the umbrella sports body.
Mayo Sports Partnership coordinator Charlie Lambert praised the commitment of the partnership’s staff and partners in providing accessible participation opportunities for all.
“We are extremely lucky here in Mayo to have excellent collaboration with all our partners.
"A prime example of this is where we now have such a fantastic network of walkways, greenways, recreational areas, playgrounds, multi use games areas which are used by all sectors of our community.”
Already in 2020 sport and physical activity in general has seen a significant increase in funding mainly due to the increased importance of both physical and mental health due to Covid-19.
The Partnership plans to extend its network of Community Sports Hubs and Urban Adventure projects in areas such as Ballina with the aid of investment through the Dormant Account Fund.
Currently the Partnership is working on the allocation of Covid-19 support funding for 80 sports clubs through the government's €70 million announcement earlier in the summer.
In addition, it has also recently advertised its own small grant scheme and will be making recommendations on this shortly.
“We know that it’s a tough time for voluntary sports organisations at the moment so hopefully we can help them in what ever way we can in the vital work they do in communities across Mayo,” added Councillor Loftus.