Sports Partnership is doing great work in mayo
Children from Scoil Íosa National School in Ballina were at Tri Heroes event at Lough Lannagh in Castlebar last March, which was organised by Mayo Sports Partnership and Triathlon Ireland. Picture: Alison Laredo
Mayo Sports Partnership, one of the key organisers of the Mayo.ie Western People Women’s Mini-Marathon, continues to go from strength to strength with more people than ever engaging in physical activity.
Across Mayo, people of all ages, shapes and sizes have been benefitting from the many different initiatives that Mayo Sports Partnership offers. Core funded by Sport Ireland and hosted locally by Mayo County Council, the Partnership has three main functions:
• Information - a one-stop-shop for sport in Mayo.
• Education - Provide quality opportunities for training courses for volunteers held locally.
• Implementation - To develop sports policy within the county through a strategic plan for sport in Mayo and select participation programmes to suit local needs.
During 2024, Mayo Sports Partnership continued to be a central body in the delivery of actions contained in the National Sports Policy, National Physical Activity Plan and Mayo Sports Partnership Strategic Plan, entitled More People Enjoying More Sports.
In 2024, a total of 17,542 people in Mayo participated in approximately 170 events, programmes and training or upskilling workshops.
Mayo Sports Partnership are extremely grateful that they were allocated €425,000 as part of €30 million of core funding to national governing bodies of sport and the 29 local sports partnerships in March 2024.
Some 63 clubs and organisations in Mayo were allocated €36,400 in Return to Sport funding from Mayo Sports Partnership in 2024. THis initiative was supported by Sport Ireland and the Dormant Account Board.
Under the Ballina Sports Small Grants Scheme, a total of €10,000 was allocated among 11 Ballina sports clubs for sports inclusion initiatives recently. Mayo Sports Partnership, in partnership with Healthy Mayo and Ballina Community Sports Hub, allocated €85,000 for outdoor sport infrastructure and biodiversity.
A total of €67,500 went towards the installation of four sports equipment storage boxes - one for each municipal district.
Some €116,100 in Dormant Account Funding was allocated to Mayo Sports Partnership projects by the then Minister Catherine Martin and Minister Thomas Byrne.
There was also an allocation of €9,033,312 in grant funding to support 56 local and community grassroots sports clubs across Mayo, while €24,000 was allocated to six community groups/clubs towards outdoor swimming infrastructure through Healthy Ireland and Sport Ireland.
Community Sports Hubs in Ballinrobe /Ballyhaunis and Outdoor Hubs in Castlebar and Ballina delivered 60 events targeting approximately 800 from hard-to-reach groups.
New outdoor recreation and club development/diversity officers were appointed in 2024.
New clubs established in 2024 included cricket in Ballina, pickleball in Ballinrobe, Kiltimagh and Belmullet, Petanque (French Boules) in Castlebar, and badminton in Ballinrobe.
The Club Volunteer Support Initiative continued in 2024, offering a suite of subsidised training including coaching children, safeguarding, disability inclusion and sport webinars.
Campaigns in 2024 included Bike Week (20 events and 300 participants), European Week of Sport (37 events and 1,100 participants), Sports Ability Week (23 events and 300 participants), HER Outdoors Week (30 events and 300 participants), Women in Sport Week (25 events and 450 participants), Social Inclusion Awareness Week (26 events with over 350 participants), Inclusive Cúl Camp (20 participants), HER Moves Teen Girl Come & Try Surfing and Irish Dancing (40 participants), Physical Activity for Health Better Balance programmes throughout Mayo, Glenamoy completed first ever Prime Time of Life Programme, Schools: Tri Heroes (750 participants), Marathon Kids (550 participants) and Mini-Mini Marathon (800 participants).
The Physical Activity for Health Officer (PAfHO) Initiative event on November 13th, 2024, was a resounding success, reflecting the ongoing dedication and innovation in promoting health through physical activity. Hosted at the Sport Ireland Campus, the event brought together professionals from diverse backgrounds to showcase inspiring projects, exchange ideas, and strengthen collaborative efforts.
The Physical Activity for Health Officer (PAfHO) event on November 13th, 2024, was a resounding success, reflecting the ongoing dedication and innovation in promoting health through physical activity. Hosted at the Sport Ireland Campus, the event brought together professionals from diverse backgrounds to showcase inspiring projects, exchange ideas, and strengthen collaborative efforts.
Mayo Sports Partnerships Older Adult Activator Poles Walking Programme is operating in over 20 locations across Mayo. Among the other programmes operating are Couch to 5K, Men on the Move, Open Water Swimming, Swim for a Mile, Fit4Work, Marathon Kids, Primary Schools Splash & Dash Event, GAA for All, Safeguarding, Disability Inclusion, Physical Activity for Health Better Balance.
A huge range of events are listed on Eventbrite at www.eventbrite.ie.
The Community Sports Hubs are operating in four locations - Ballina, Castlebar, Ballinrobe and Ballyhaunis. Updates can be found through their social media channels.
In advance of the Connacht v Munster Rugby game at MacHale Park in Castlebar earlier this year, there was an amazing event at The Mall on the day before the game with Connacht Rugby and 300 Mayo national school children celebrating all that is rugby.
Mayo Sports Partnership wishes to thank you all the amazing women who led, volunteered and participated in Women in Sport Week in March. You are a true inspiration! There were over 25 events where more than 400 ladies took part with many valuable collaborations throughout. There was also a multitude of talks and workshops held during the seven days.
Along with stakeholders and partners, Mayo Sports Partnership has been the main organiser of the Mayo.ie Western People West of Ireland Mini Marathon since 2010 and the Primary Schools Mini Mini Fun Run.
To find out more about Mayo Sports Partnership, log onto www.mayo.ie or check out social media channels for regular updates. You can contact Mayo Sports Partnership by email at msp@mayococo.ie or telephone 094-9064360 or get in touch with Mayo Sports Partnership's Promotions Officer Janette Slattery at jslattery@mayococo.ie.
