Launch of County Limerick Local Sports Partnership Strategic Plan for the Development of Sport in County Limerick
County Limerick Local Sports Partnership was established on an informal basis in
2001. The partnership received formal status from the Irish Sports Council in
2007. It is an inter-agency group comprising representatives from:
- the key provider agencies which invest in various aspects of sport development
in the County
- representatives of the stakeholders including sports clubs, the disability
sector, the private sector and the education sector
A variety of agencies are involved in different aspects of sport development in
County Limerick. The County Council, for example, are involved in facility
provision, the Health Service Executive in health-enhancing physical activity,
County Limerick VEC in leading education initiatives, Shannon Development and
Coillte Teoranta in trail construction (walking and cycling), the private sector
in the fitness industry, and Local Development Companies (Ballyhoura Development
Ltd and West Limerick Resources) in recreation at community level. The Board has
given a commitment to develop physical activity opportunities for all members of
our communities from “Buntús Start and Healthy Tots” for our children to “Go for
Life and Physical Activity Leaders” for the older adults. The partnership
approach adopted by the key providers, stakeholders and local agencies will
undoubtedly contribute to the long term vision being achieved.”
This strategic plan for the development of sport in the county is the result of
a process of extensive consultation with all interested parties. Within the
strategy, sport is clearly defined as including all forms of physical activity
including active play, physical education, active recreation, exercise and
competitive sport.
Cllr. John Gallahue, Cathaoirleach, Limerick County Council and Chairperson of
Limerick County Development Board, who officially launched the Strategic Plan
said “I have no doubt that it will greatly assist the County Limerick Local
Sports Partnership in realising its vision of: “A county where all people are
encouraged and enabled to participate in sport”
At the launch, Mr. John Treacy, Chief Executive Officer, Irish Sports Council
outlined how the Irish Sports Council considers the strategic planning process
to be an essential step in the development of Local Sports Partnerships. This
step can bring many benefits such as matching the needs of the local communities
to the priorities of the partnership. It is then possible to quantify the
resources required effectively to achieve these priorities and answer local
needs. This ensures that the plan can be a working document, which will
show results over its lifetime.
The overall objective of County Limerick Local Sports Partnership is to get more
people active to achieve this, four strategic themes have been identified:
increasing participation, supporting the sport sector, improving the
infrastructure and promoting partnership. These four action areas will enable
the sports partnership to work with schools, communities, sports clubs and
organisations in increasing the opportunities to be more active.
Cllr. John Gallahue also mentioned the target groups identified from
consultation and the importance of physical activity; “In working with these
people on the ground and increasing opportunities, it is hoped to increase
awareness and reduce the lack of physical activity in society today.”
He continued to wish County Limerick Local Sports Partnership every success with
the delivery of the various initiatives contained in the Strategy and ended by
hoping that “going forward that the people of County Limerick will become
increasingly aware of the various positive effects that the Local Sports
Partnership will have on their futures.”
For any queries or further information please contact County Limerick Local
Sports Partnership at 061 49 64 63
The Strategic Plan 2008-2011 for the Development of Sport in County Limerick can
be downloaded below:
Strategic Plan 2008-2011 (4mb pdf)...
The Action Plan 2008-2009 can be downloaded below:
Action Plan 2008-2009 (2mb
pdf)...