Local Sports Partnerships have long been a key element of Sport Ireland’s enabling of participation at very local level. They were highlighted in the 2017 budget as one of the core areas for which next year’s money from Government through Sport Ireland would be directed.
Yesterday Sport Ireland and the Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Patrick O’Donovan highlighted the part they play with the publication of the ninth annual Sport Ireland Strategic, Planning, Evaluation and Knowledge (SPEAK) Report.
The SPEAK report provides an overview of the work of the 29 LSPs across the country, and highlights the innovative good practice projects and programmes that are being operated locally.
Almost €14.5 million was invested in the LSP network throughout the year, including benefit in kind funding.
“The vital work of the Local Sports Partnership Network in increasing participation, particularly among those sectors of society that are underrepresented in sport, is making a substantial contribution to the health and welfare of individuals, communities and the nation,” said Minister O’Donovan.
“Today’s report highlights the innovative local projects which are being undertaken by the Local Sports Partnerships to enable all citizens the opportunity to take part in a wide range of sport and physical activities.”
“A key strategic aim of Sport Ireland is increasing participation across every age group and from all social backgrounds throughout Ireland,” added Sport Ireland Chairman Kieran Mulvey. This report highlights how the LSPs are removing barriers that prevent participation in sport and physical activity.”
This is a very comprehensive report into the work of the Sports partnerships. At Sport for Business we understand the work done on the ground as we work closely with Dublin City Council as a member of the board of the Dublin City Council Sport and Wellbeing Partnership and with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council in terms of assisting on strategies around optimising use of facilities.
The partnerships operate far from the massed audiences of Croke Park or the Cork City Marathon. They are on the ground, within small, sometimes micro communities helping to bring the benefit of sport and physical activity to those who might not otherwise have the facility.
They are also a great way of leveraging national programmes and funding at local level. 52% of direct monetary and benefit in kind support comes at local level and is made possible by the initial money. It is a working example of partnership in sport that really delivers.
The report highlights a number of case studies that can give inspiration and guidance to others. These include the Great Dublin Bike Ride which grew in its second year and is now firmly established on the sporting calendar; the Carisford Community Sports Hub in County Clare, brought to life in part through the personal commitment of former Irish Rugby Captain Keith Wood and another example of how collaboration is a winner.
The wide variety of programmes is indicated by the table to the right which shows a breakdown of the 891 kinds of programmes that were delivered.
“One of Sport Ireland’s key priorities for the LSP network is the sustainable development within the local sports infrastructure,’ said Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, John Treacy.
“This report shows that LSPs are doing vital work with clubs and groups ensuring that structures are in place to allow people across the LSP target groups to participate in sport.”
Looking ahead Sport Ireland Director of Participation and Ethics, Dr. Una May said: “Sport Ireland, through the Local Sports Partnership network, will continue to take a strategic approach with regard to programme delivery, with a stronger emphasis on monitoring and evaluation of the programmes delivered. The SPEAK system will be used as a tool to plan work in line with strategic objectives, building robust evaluation metrics into all projects.”
Key Findings from the 2015 SPEAK Report Include:
Development of Local Sports Infrastructure
· 1,796 clubs/groups supported in the delivery of activities
· 913 clubs/groups helped in developing their organisational or management structures
· 276 clubs attended Club Development Workshops
Delivery of Training and Education Programmes
· LSPs planned and delivered 280 training and education courses, workshops and seminars with their partner agencies
· 19,135 people participated in these training courses
· 678 volunteers supported the roll out of these courses
Delivering Sport Ireland Programmes
· 6,974 participants completed 506 Safeguarding 1 training courses
· 615 participants completed 55 Safeguarding 2 training courses
· 22 participants completed 2 Safeguarding 3 training courses (new course)
Programme Delivery
· 347,806 people participated in 891 locally delivered participation programmes
· 9,316 female participants took part in 70 local Women in Sport programmes
Building and Sustaining Partnerships
LSPs have participated in 237 actions associated with building networks and advocating on behalf of their LSP target groups.
Sport for Business works with 150 organisations in sport, business and society helping to identify ways of working in greater collaboration and providing Ireland’s only daily source of news and analysis on the commercial world of sport. Contact us today if you would like your organisation to be part of what we are planning for an ambitious 2017 programme of groups, events and more.
