Sports plan launched to get all of Laois active within five years

A vibrant sport, community and business hub in Laois could not have been more apt a venue for the launch of Laois Sports Partnership’s next five year plan.

BloomHQ in Mountrath hosted the formal launch of LSP’s strategic plan for 2022 to 2027, launched by Sport Ireland’s Chief Executive Dr Una May.

The former convent and school was bathed in sunshine last Thursday, March 24, as representatives from Laois Sports Partnership, Sports Ireland, Laois County Council, clubs and sports people took a tour to see the activities in the centre’s new sports hub, including an activator poll class and basketball lessons.

An all female top table then launched the plan in what was once another female focused building, the restored convent chapel.

Anne Marie Kirrane, Healthy Ireland Laois; Caroline Myers, Laois Sports Partnership co-ordinator; Dan Bergin, Laois PPN; Eibhlin Smith, chairperson Laois Sports Partnership; Donal Brennan, director of services Laois County Council; Dr Una May, chief executive Sport Ireland; Se‡n Quinn, general manager Laois Leisure and Diane Seale, Laois PPN at the Laois Sports Partnership Activity Showcase and launch of their strategic plan 2022-2026. Picture: Alf Harvey.

The organisation aims to have “everybody active in Laois” by 2027.

The new plan has been developed around five thematic themes; Active People, Active Places, Active Partnerships, Active Promotion, Active Governance.

LSP says these have been identified and refined to address challenge, barriers and gaps in existing provision which are aligned to other policy documents such as the National Sports Plan, Sport Ireland Statement of Strategy,  National Physical Activity Plan, Sport Ireland Participation Plan, Healthy Ireland Framework for improved health and wellbeing, Laois County Council Development Plan and Laois County Council Local Economic and Community Plan.

LSP says these themes define the type and nature of work that the partnership is engaged in. It adds  that each theme is expanded through a strategic aim along with a series of key objectives. Each objective has action areas and key performance indicator/s which will form the Annual Operational Plans.  

The plan was prepared as a result of extensive consultation.

Pupils from Scoil Bhríde Mountrath with teacher Ms Claire Whelan and coach Shay Dooley, Portlaoise Panthers at the Laois Sports Partnership Activity Showcase and launch of their strategic plan 2022-2026. Picture: Alf Harvey.

Eibhlin Smith is Chairperson of LSP.

“It is great to be here and see this development and what can happen when people come together. With your help we want to make Laois a more vibrant hub for sports activity. We are really looking forward to the next five years,” she said.

Caroline Myers is Chief Operations Manager of Laois Sports Partnership. 

“Over the 21 years we have provided 689 programmes to over 90,000 people, and 190 training courses to 3,000 participants. Our funding went from €350,000 to over €1 million in 2021. What you have told us has helped us shape our new strategy programme. It is more important than ever to have an active Laois, to create an environment that is improving with our growing population. We are excited for what is to come,” she said.

“It is also now more important than ever that we continue to invest and develop opportunities for participation for an active and healthy Laois. We will continue to work together with our partner agencies and local communities to create an environment that improves activity, health, and wellbeing. With a growing population it is key that Laois Sport Partnership continues to grow its strategic capacity and is supported as the lead agency for sports participation in County Laois.  We are excited for what is to come and look forward to working with you all in delivering this Strategy “Everybody Active in County Laois,” she said.

Laois Sports Partnership board members and staff and development officers with Dr Una May, chief executive Sport Ireland and Louise Burke, Sport Ireland at the Laois Sports Partnership Activity Showcase and launch of their strategic plan 2022-2026. Picture: Alf Harvey.

Among those in attendance to launch the plan was Dr. Una May, CE Sport Ireland, who stated 

“Laois Sports Partnership have identified the need to create sustainable pathways for all to participate in sport, physical activity and recreation in the county. Their proactive approach to strengthening partnerships with agencies, organisations, clubs and communities will ensure that sport and physical activity opportunities are accessible to all across the county.

"I commend Laois Sports Partnership on the extensive consultation, evaluation and research carried out during the strategy development, during a period when such work became more challenging than ever. This process has led to a strategy that meets the needs of the communities in Laois and has buy in and support across the county. I would like to thank, in particular, the staff and board members of Laois Sports Partnership, as well as all stakeholders and partner organisations who were involved in developing this strategy and who will contribute to its successful delivery,” she said.

Laois paralympic bronze medal winner Gary O'Reilly is presented with a painting by Dr Una May, chief executive Sport Ireland at the Laois Sports Partnership Activity Showcase and launch of their strategic plan 2022-2026. Picture: Alf Harvey.

Dr May also praised BloomHQ as an example for Ireland.

“This hub encapsulates what sport can do for all of us. The ability of people to go from their desks to take part in a lunch sport class, is an example of what we should have across the board. 

“Sport Ireland has the same vision. We are looking at outcomes, active places, active people. Every county has its challenges but here your opportunities are the Slieve Blooms, this is your gem. 

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“The recent challenging times have made it clear how sport can contribute to wellbeing and health. 

“We want to build sustainable pathways, get young people and sports people involved in running sports for themselves. Everyone in Laois will be active by the end of this strategy, I wish you the best of luck,” she said. 

Bernie Turner is presented with a painting for her daughter Nicole Turner by Dr Una May, chief executive Sport Ireland at the Laois Sports Partnership Activity Showcase and launch of their strategic plan 2022-2026. Picture: Alf Harvey.

Special guests were Laois paralympians Gary O’Reilly and Nicole Turner, represented by her mother Bernie as Nicole is now training in the Canaries for the World Para Swim Championships in Madeira in June. 

They were presented with photograph canvases showing their achievements. 

Paralympic cycling Bronze medalist Gary told the Leinster Express how Laois Sports Partnership helped him after he lost his leg.

“Before that I never had an interest in sport. Garrett Culleton got me into wheelchair basketball and hurling. It was an outlet, it was what I needed.

“I’d urge anyone to get in touch with their local Sports Partnership, reach out, there is always another option,” he said. 

Among the audience was Bryan Croke from Portlaoise Rugby Club.

“Laois Sports Partnership is brilliant. To have people active is the main thing. If rugby can provide an avenue to continue their interest in sport that is great,” he said.

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Spink ICA members Helen Malone and Helen Gee were taking part in the activator pole class.

“It is very enjoyable. The music adds a lot and the sticks give you support. We have invited Caroline to speak to our ICA meeting,” Helen said. 

LSP began life 21 years ago as Laois Recreation, Leisure and Sports Forum, spearheaded by Louis Brennan. Its aim then is the same now, to get people active at every level of ability, age and background. 

The forum directly inspired John Treacy from Sport Ireland to set up Sports Partnerships in every county.

Mr Brennan is now honorary chairman and he was at the launch in BloomHQ, where LSP staff surprised him after proceedings ended with a birthday cake as he turned 77 on the day.

Honorary chairman Louis Brennan is presented with a birthday cake at the Laois Sports Partnership Activity Showcase and launch of their strategic plan 2022-2026. Picture: Alf Harvey.

He told the Leinster Express that it has seen a lot of changes but its ethos remains the same.

“We started off as a sports forum, with the ideal not to build anything but to develop people into sport. John Treacy was enamoured with the idea and went on to set it up nationally,” he said.

Regina Dunne, Bloom HQ; Gina Reidy, Mountrath Forum; Louis Brennan, honorary chairman LSP; Martin Meade, Mountrath Forum; Eibhlin Smith, LSP chairperson; Caroline Myers, LSP co-ordinator; Ruth Delaney, Mountrath Forum; Andrea Deering, S’ol Foundation and Dr Una May, chief executive Sport Ireland at the Laois Sports Partnership Activity Showcase and launch of their strategic plan 2022-2026. Picture: Alf Harvey.

Between 2019 and 2021, Laois Sports Partnership engaged 25,000+ people with online activities during lockdowns. They funded 37 clubs through Community Hub, Women in Sport, and LSP Activity grants. Over 14,000 participants did locally delivered programmes. The Sports Inclusion Disability programme reached 2,770 participants, Women in Sport reached 901 people, with 2,915 participants in the SVT Activity and Wellness hub and 351  in club child protection training, with other supports also given.