Sports Active Wexford is one of 29 Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) featured in the Annual Report 2020 published by Sport Ireland today.
The report highlights the work of the LSP Network and the impact they have on participation levels by engaging key target populations across Ireland.
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, Sports Active Wexford has continued to provide programmes and initiatives to ensure that everyone in County Wexford could share in the enjoyment as well as the mental and physical health benefits of sport and physical activity.
In 2020, Sport Ireland allocated over €870,000 in Programme Funding to the LSP Network, an increase of 53% from the 2019 investment. Programme funding is at the core of the LSPs engagement with participants and allows for the delivery of a range of community, club and school based initiatives, programmes and events.
In County Wexford, 41793 who took part in 62 programmes courses and events which included 32292 from disadvantaged communities, over 3000 women and girls, and over 750 people with a disability.
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin TD welcomed the publication of the Report: “The National Sports Policy recognises the key role played by the Local Sports Partnerships in sports participation and how they can assist in the delivery of the ambitious participation actions set out in the Policy. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the LSP network worked hard to develop new and innovative initiatives to target cohorts of the population who were most likely to be less active during the restrictions. This work will continue in to 2021 as we see the gradual return to sport and physical activity. Together we will work to increase access to sport and physical activity opportunities for all cohorts of the population”.
Minister of State for the Gaeltacht and Sport, Jack Chambers TD commented: “I commend the work of the LSPs and community organisations they worked with throughout a difficult year. By collaborating closely with organisations within and outside the sporting sector, the LSPs delivered a range and variety of programmes and initiatives in communities throughout Ireland. As we move in to 2021 and beyond, the LSPs will continue to develop and deliver physical activity opportunities that are accessible and inclusive at a local level. I look forward to seeing the activities in the months and years to come as we move toward the target set out by the National Sports Policy”.
John Treacy, Chief Executive Sport Ireland commented: “2020 was a very difficult year for the LSPs and sports participation in general. I must commend the staff and volunteers in the LSPs who adapted quickly and with agility to continue to support people to stay active during the pandemic. They embraced new ways of reaching the various groups in their community and worked together to deliver initiatives and resources at a national level. Although participation numbers reduced in 2020 due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, we believe that the LSP network is well prepared and primed to promote a safe return to sport, in line with Government regulations. We are confident that as Government restrictions are gradually lifted LSPs will quickly return to, and even exceed, the high levels of engagement seen in 2019”.
Fran Ronan, Sports Active Wexford Coordinator,” we are delighted been able to enable the people of Wexford to access opportunities for Physical activity and Sport, during 2020. Sports Active Wexford successfully adapted to the global pandemic by delivering programmes & initiatives through virtual and online platforms. Many of our programmes would not have been able to go ahead without the tremendous support of Wexford County Council and our interagency partners. We have seen how important physical activity has become to support our mental health and well-being during the restrictions at all levels, in particular the ‘Keeping Well campaign, the open water swimming programmes and our Integrated mental health practitioner programme, ‘the Exercise Effect’. We would like to acknowledge the support of our partner agencies in delivery the vision of a healthy and active County Wexford.”
The full 2020 LSP Annual Report can be viewed https://www.sportireland.ie/sites/default/files/media/document/2021-05/lsp_eng_20_annual-report.pdf
