Sports Inclusion Review and Strategy Launch
On the 24th of January last, Monaghan and Cavan Sports Partnerships jointly launched the Sports Inclusion Review 2008-2010 and the Sports Inclusion Strategic Plan 2011-2013 in the Errigal House Hotel Cootehill, Cavan. The review document outlined the different programmes and training and education that have being delivered in Monaghan and Cavan since 2008. The documents finding also formed the basis of the Sports Inclusion Strategy 2011-2013. This strategy is the first sports strategy for specifically developing disability sport and participation in sport by people with a disability.
The Chairperson of the inter-county committee set up to oversee the SIDO programme, Malachy Marron formally welcomed the large attendance and introduced the speakers for the event.
Michelle Murphy, Sports Coordinator with Monaghan said she spoke on behalf of both Local Sports Partnerships when she said that the programme was inspirational, not only for those participating but also for those overseeing the activities. She mentioned that the participation activities have been hugely successful and that this is in part due to the willingness and co-operation of the disability services and voluntary groups which cater for people with a disability to welcome the programme into their lives. She also highlighted that over 1,000 Transition Year students in Monaghan and Cavan will avail of disability awareness training through this programme in 2011 and that awareness is an integral part of creating a more inclusive society.
Also speaking at the event, Jack Keyes, Manager, Cavan County Council outlined the barriers for people with a disability to participate in sport and physical activity and he congratulated the strong partnership approach adopted by both Counties. He used the quote from the document by Van Gogh which stated ‘What would life be like if we had no courage to attempt anything?’ and emphasised the need to protect valuable programmes such as the SIDO programme by working towards secured funding despite the difficulties that it presents with budgetary cutbacks.
John Treacy, Chief Executive Officer, the Irish Sports Council, who formally launched the two documents stated that one of the key elements of the SIDO programme was the passion that the development officers had for this job and that this passion was translated into genuine enthusiasm for participation by people with a disability. He congratulated both Sports Partnerships on their successes to date and wished them well in their future joint endeavours. He finished by congratulating all those who volunteer their time in sport and particularly those who volunteer within the disability sector.
The event began with a demonstration of games by service users from Rehab Care Monaghan and RehabCare Cavan and the Holy Family School, Cootehill. The games demonstrated were the games of Boccia and New Age Kurling which are adapted Target based games. During speeches there was a DVD shown which showcased many of the different activities and programmes delivered over the past two years and what it means to the Participants, Service Providers, Coaches and Sports Partnerships. Both the Review and Strategy are available in hard copy on request or can be found on the Monaghan Sports Partnership website:
www.monaghansports.ie
You can download the Sports Inclusion Programme Review Document here (You will need adobe reader to open Pdf)
See information on disability sports for Monaghan and Cavan here