About Us
Mayo Sports Partnership was established in November 2004. It is core funded by Sport Ireland and, hosted by Mayo County Council, situated under the community and integrated development section.
The aim of the Mayo Sports Partnership is to increase participation in all sports and to ensure local resources and facilities are used to the best effect. The Sports Partnership Board has representatives from interested agencies and sporting groups. These include the Mayo Sligo Leitrim ETB, Mayo County Council, HSE West ,G.M.I.T., Mayo Education Centre, An Garda Siochana, Mayo North East Leader Partnership, South West Mayo Development Company , Public Participation Network, Mayo Mental Health and representatives from the County Sports Forum.
The Sports Partnership has three main functions:
- Information - To establish a consultation process with sport clubs and organisations and to identify their needs and resources. Initiate research and compile a sports directory. A one stop shop for sport in Mayo.
- Education- To provide quality opportunities for education and training at local level. Provide training courses targeting volunteers and providing access to sports specific courses through the national governing bodies of sport.
- Implementation - To develop a strategic plan for sport in Mayo and select participation programmes to suit local needs.
The Sports Partnership launched its third Strategic Plan for Sport, ‘More people enjoying more sports’, in 2017. The plan may be downloaded here 2017-2021 MSP Strategic Plan, alternatively contact the Sports Partnership office for a copy.
Mayo Sports Partnership promotes recreational sport to all members of society regardless of age, location or ability. The new strategy and action plan, with its vision of “More People Enjoying More Sports”, outlines actions across four strategic pillars;
- Participation and Location - programmes, people and local partners.
- Strengthening play - sport shapers, makers and places.
- Insight and Influence - information, partnerships communication.
- Perform - attract and administer resources.
These themes complement each other to provide a multifaceted approach to increasing participation in sport and physical activity in Mayo.
Mayo Sports Partnership are also involved in facilitating and co-ordinating a number of targeted programmes, projects and initiatives at local level. These include Safeguarding Workshops, Women in Sport initiatives, European Week of Sport, Community Sports Coach Training Programme, Get Active Programmes, Couch to 5K, Operation Transformation, Get Ireland Walking, and Sports Disability initiatives as well as many more. The office are also co-organisers of the West of Ireland Women’s Mini Marathon and Primary Schools Mini Fun Run.
The Partnership also identifies local projects which are grant aided through its Special Participation Initiative Grant scheme and supports volunteer training.