Sport Ireland publishes Participation Plan 2021-2024 - Increasing Participation in Changing Ireland
Date: 12-05-2021
Sport Ireland has published its 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.
Download here Participation Plan 2021-2024
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, stated: “
“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: “ 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”.
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, “The Participation Plan 2021-2024, just published , 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”.
Director of Participation and Ethics, Sport Ireland, Dr. Una May added: “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”.