Mayo Sports Partnership featured in the Sport Ireland Local Sports Partnership Annual Report 2020
Date: 14-05-2021
Mayo Sports Partnership is one of 29 Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) featured in the Annual Report 2020 published by Sport Ireland.
The report highlights the work of the LSP Network and the impact they have on participation levels by engaging key target populations across Ireland.
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, Mayo Sports Partnership has continued to provide programmes and initiatives to ensure that everyone in Mayo has the opportunity to share in the enjoyment as well as the mental and physical health benefits of sport and physical activity.
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.
In Mayo, 19,574 people took part in 429 programmes, courses and events during 2020, a 50% increase on 2019 levels. Also included in these figures were 11,412 women and girls and 1, 282 people with a disability.
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 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”.
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. 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”.
2020 saw Mayo Sports Partnership successfully delivering programmes & initiatives through virtual and online platforms. Initiatives included the 10K Your Way West of Ireland Womens Mini Marathon, June Walking Challenge, August Cycling Challenge, Mayo Landmark Challenge during European Week of Sport and the hugely subscribed Run Up to Christmas initiative. In addition to the above the Partnership reached out to hard to reach groups as Mayo Sports Partnership Head Charlie Lambert explained
“ In response to restrictions imposed as a result of the pandemic we proceeded to print and distribute thousands of hardcopy exercise sheets for older adults and exercise programmes for people with a disability. All of us in Mayo Sports Partnership would like to thank all our partners such as Family Resource Centres, An Garda Siochana, Disability Organisations and Community Groups who assisted us in this process”.
The full 2020 LSP Annual Report can be viewed HERE