€187,000 allocated to Mayo Sports Partnership under 2021 Dormant Account Fund
Date: 08-06-2021
Sport Ireland has today announced an investment package of €5.9million in Dormant Accounts Funding for a wide range of sport and physical activity measures countrywide including €187,000 for County Mayo.
The investment aims to engage communities across Mayo, focusing on people with disabilities, people who are educationally disadvantaged and from disadvantaged communities.
Speaking about the new round of Dormant Account Funding, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, said: “Addressing inequalities in sports participation is a key action within the National Sports Policy 2018-2027 and a key priority for Government. Sport Ireland’s announcement of €5.9 million in funding through the Dormant Accounts Fund will further support the development and implementation of programmes and interventions to ensure access to sport and physical activities for all groups in society.”
Government Chief Whip and Minister of State for the Gaeltacht and Sport Jack Chambers TD added: “I am delighted to be here today to announce this significant investment of Dormant Accounts Funding to develop and promote participation initiatives. Over the past year or more of restrictions we have seen the huge importance that Irish people place on sport and physical activity and the many benefits it can have on our mental and physical wellbeing.”
Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, John Treacy, commented: “The Dormant Accounts Funding will enable Sport Ireland, supported by National Governing Bodies of Sport and Local Sports Partnerships to provide every one the opportunity to partake in sport and physical activity, no matter what their circumstances. The significant investment in Volunteer Training and Supports as well as Youth Leadership will be critical in supporting local volunteers and leaders as the country gradually opens up and we return to sport”.
As with previous funding announced, the investment is closely aligned with the National Sports Policy 2018-2027 and the National Physical Activity Plan. A particular emphasis is placed on implementing programmes to promote physical activity, making sport and physical activity accessible to people with a disability and the development of programmes to address transitions and drop out from physical activity.
Here in Mayo supports are available for sports volunteers for training and upskilling which has just been advertised in the Partnerships “Return to Sport” small grant scheme and also for Disability Sports Equipment including items such as beach wheelchairs. See www.mayo.ie/sportspartnership for more.
Chairman Mayo Sports Partnership Cllr Michael Loftus said “ All of us in Mayo Sports Partnership are delighted with the announcement. With the move to outdoor activities, we have developed adventure hubs in both Ballina & Castlebar and in particular with the assistance of innovation funding under this announcement we plan to shortly launch a significant Activator Walking with Poles Programme for older adults across the county”
Mayo currently has three community / outdoor sports hubs situated in Ballina, Ballinrobe and Castlebar. It is planned in the next phase 2022 to apply for an additional hub which the partnership will seek expressions of interest for in the near future.
More information on these and other Mayo Sports Partnership programmes can be found on our website at www.mayo.ie/sportspartnership or by contacting the office at 094 9064360 or by email msp@mayococo.ie
See the full list of funded projects