Our Background

In the Irish Sports Council's (ISC) strategy "A New Era for Sport 2000-2002", the Council proposed to establish a nationwide network of Local Sports Partnerships to create a national structure to co-ordinate and promote the development of sport at local level.

The ISC identified that the effective development of sport and recreation at local level would be best delivered through the adoption of a partnership approach between all bodies and organisations involved in the delivery of sport and recreation locally.

Aims and Expected Outcomes

The key aim of the local sports partnerships is to:

  • Increase participation in sport and physical recreation and ensure that local resources are used to best effect

The outcomes that the ISC seek from local sports partnerships are:

  • Enhanced planning of sport at local level
  • Increased levels of local participation, especially amongst specific target groups - older people, girls and women, people with disabilities, unemployed people and those who live in identified disadvantaged communities
  • Enhanced local coach deployment
  • Club development
  • Volunteer training
  • Local Directories of sports bodies and facilities
  • Better use of existing facilities
  • Clear priorities for local facility provision and improvement
  • School/club/community and possibly school - National Governing Body
  • Local sports events

Following the Irish Sports Council's competition process, in 2007 South Dublin County was designated as a Local Sports Partnership site and the recruitment of a Co-ordinator took place in November 2007.

One of the first key tasks for the Partnership was to develop a comprehensive, broad based Committee which would provide local information and be a key driver for the work of the Partnership. The Committee has representatives from many strands in the community - public agencies, sports bodies, education and business and community development groups.

In 2009 it is planned to undertake an extensive consultation process with the local community, agencies, sports organisations (both locally and nationally) and with the Irish Sports Council in order to develop a Strategic Plan that will inform and lead the work of the Partnership over the following 3-5 years. The partnership is primarily funded by the Irish Sports Council with assistance from the local partners, especially South Dublin County Council.