Active South Dublin is the new identity for sport in the South Dublin local authority area.
The country’s first Local Sports and Physical Activity Plan was launched at Tallaght Stadium yesterday and outlines a number of different themes on how activity can best be delivered to the whole population.
The plan encourages people to stay physically active throughout their lives.
Active South Dublin encompasses various forms of physical activity, whether the emphasis is on exercise, fitness, team sports, walking, cycling, dancing, or even participation in volunteering and coaching.
There are 11 different ambitions and 4 different themes – Active Communities and Clubs; Active Spaces and Places; Active Communication and Active Partnerships.
The new identity will encompass the work of the Council and the former Local Sports Partnership.
“This plan builds on the Council’s work in promoting sport, physical activity and community wellness over the years through school, club and community supports and the provision of extensive infrastructure that includes pitches, leisure centres, community centres, cycleways, pathways and more,” said Chief Executive of South Dublin County Council, Colm Ward.
“South Dublin County Council recognises that partnership is vital to the success of the Plan and our ambition is that this brings together partners across the community, voluntary and statutory sectors with residents, clubs, schools, leisure facility providers and others to develop a locally led approach.”
“Crucially this partnership also extends internally in the Council as input into the plan came from multiple Departments including Community, Housing, Roads, Environment, Planning and Tourism.”
“This launch is an important milestone for the development of local sports participation in South Dublin,” added Dr Una May, CEO of Sport ireland.
“South Dublin County Council is the first local authority in Ireland to develop a local county plan which was one of the elements sought in the National Sports Policy 2018-27.”
In addition to the Plan’s initiatives, a significant new development involves the integration of South Dublin County Sports Partnership and the sports office of South Dublin County Council into a unified unit – Active South Dublin.
Moving forward, all communications will undergo rebranding under the new identity of Active South Dublin.
“This decision makes perfect sense, as it simplifies the process for clubs, schools, and community groups to identify the right contacts for communication and collaboration,” concluded Thos McDermott, formerly the Local Sports Partnership Co-Ordinator and now the Acting Head of Active South Dublin.
