Monaghan / Cavan launch disability sports review and plan
This event has been re-scheduled to take place on Monday 24th January 2011 at the Errigal Country House Hotel, Cootehill, Co. Cavan.
On Monday 24th January 2011, Minister Brendan Smith will launch the Monaghan and Cavan Sports Partnership review document on the work of the Sports Inclusion Disability programme.
The review outlines the work undertaken from 2008 – 2010 in the areas of sports and physical activity for people with a disability throughout both Counties.
Some of the key points of the review include;
In 2008, Pobal (through the Department of Health and Children) made funding available through the Dormant Accounts Fund for the provision of a Sports Inclusion Disability Officer (SIDO) to work in conjunction with Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs). Monaghan Sports Partnership joined forces with Cavan County Council in making a joint submission for this funding and was successful in being awarded significant funding towards a two year contract for the delivery of a wide ranging
programme of sports activities. The main aim of this funding was to assist in helping to address the
imbalance in opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in sport
and physical activity, which has become an important national goal. The funding awarded is to support the employment of a network of Sports Inclusion Development Officers (SIDO).
It was intended that these SIDO’s will be actively involved on the ground in the development and implementation of accessible sporting oppurtunities for people with disabilities. The SIDO
programme is co-ordinated on a national basis by the CARA Adapted Physical Activity Centre based in the Tralee IT.
A wide and varied range of prorammes has been delivered in Monaghan and Cavan over the past two years and these are outlined in detail in the review;
GAA Skills Coaching Programme
Soccer Skills coaching Programme
Adapted Aerobics
Horse Riding
Outdoor Pursuits
Wheelchair Ice Skating
Come & Try It – archery, badminton, wheelchair sports
Minister Brendan Smith will formally launch the document on Friday 3rd December at 10.30am in the Errigal House Hotel, Cootehill, Co. Cavan.
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Disability Awareness for Leisure Centres / Sports facilities
A training module for the staff of leisure / sports facilities has been developed to increase knowledge in the area of disability. The awareness raising programme is aimed at ensuring that the staff of leisure centres and sports facilities feel confortable welcoming people with a disability into their facility, have a basic understanding of the special needs of the individual and can ensure that the person can be accommodated in the pool, gym or studio classes.
The staff of Monaghan Leisure Centre undertook this training and many individuals with a disability and disability services use the facility regularly and are made very welcome.
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Disability Awareness for Sports Clubs
37 people representing 27 sporting groups attending this 2.5 hour awareness raising evening organised through the Sports Partnership and the feedback from the sessions has been very positive with participants reporting that they now know more about the general area of diability and feel more confident in including people with a disability in their activities and learning how to adapt activities for people with a disability.
Some clubs have proactively worked to bring this awareness a step further like the excellent work being carried out by the members of Emyvale Cycling Club.
(Taken from Cycling Ulster website)
Case Study
Paul and Stephen Cassidy of Emyvale CC took the opportunity last year to participate in a Disability in Sport Awareness Course organised by the Monaghan Sports Partnership. This group are very proactive in the Monaghan area and provide training and courses in a wide range of topics. Both men were so fired with enthusiasm following the course that they decided to become actively involved in working with Disability groups and lending their knowledge of cycling to promote healthy living styles. The began working this year with the Truagh Special Needs group providing cycling activities for people with special needs.
Disability Awareness training is available for sports clubs on an ongoing basis – register your name now with Monaghan Sports Partnership at 042-9755126
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Disability Awareness for Schools Programme
The Disability Awareness programme provides transition year students with an understanding of what the term disability means. The main aim of the programme is to provide teenagers with an understanding of the difficulties faced by individuals who may sufferer from a disability. It is hoped that this experience will help them develop a more positive, respectful and understanding attitude towards the issues faced by individuals with a disability.
The Programme consists of an one and half hour theory session including disability awareness practical’s, followed by a two hour wheelchair practical session, where the pupils get to participate in games and activities aimed at individuals in wheelchairs. The Session can be split in two or run over one day.
This program is free of charge and is run in conjunction with the IWA Sports Project. We are now taking bookings for this programme for the Autumn term from September to December 2010.
Training has taken place in schools as follows with over 100 students gaining knowledge about disability;
Date School
22nd March 2010 Largy College, Clones
16th April 2010 St. Louis Secondary School, Carrickmacross
22nd April 2010 Monaghan Collegiate School
If you are interested in finding out more about this programme, please contact
Monaghan Sports Partnership on 042-9755126
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