Meath Local Sports Partnership - 10 year celebration

21 Dec 2012

2012 sees Meath Local Sports Partnership (Meath LSP) celebrate 10 years of developing sport and physical activity in County Meath.

Meath LSP was formed in July 2002 following a submission by Meath County Council's Department of Community & Enterprise, in association with Meath Community & Voluntary Forum to the Irish Sports Council to establish a Local Sports Partnership in Meath.

The key aim of Meath LSP is to increase participation in sport and physical activity in Meath.
Meath LSP works with member agencies and local community groups in providing opportunities to participate in sport and physical activity regardless of age, ability, orientation or socio-economic background - the format of this work varies from delivering programmes, workshops & conferences to mass participation events.

One of the reasons Meath LSP has reached this 10 year landmark is due to the commitment of agencies such as the Irish Sports Council, Meath County Council and the HSE in the development of opportunities for the general public to engage in sports and physical activities which promote health and well being.

Some of the highlights over the past 10 years include:

  • The An Post Meath Heritage Cycle Tour - Now in its fourth year, participation in the event has increased 986% from 303 participants in 2009 to 2989 in 2012 (46% of those coming from Meath). The tour comprises four distances - 160km Royal Challenge; 100km Royal Tour; 50km Tara Loop and 11km Family Spin. The event caters for all ages and levels of cycling ability.
  • Date for your Diary - An Post Meath Heritage Cycle Tour 2013 will take place on Sunday 28th July 2013 (11km family spin will take place on Saturday 27th July).
  • - Buntùs Programme - Meath LSP has worked with schools on a number of initiatives over the years. The programme which was delivered to all 116 primary schools in Meath was Buntùs. Buntْs aims to support teachers in introducing young people to sport and helping to develop their interests in being active. The programme has been expanded to include sport specific programmes such as Buntْs Soccer and Play Rugby and to the pre-school setting through Buntْs Start.
  • Cycle Safety Training - Meath LSP together with the Cycling Safety Skills School, the Road Safety Authority and the Road Safety Officer of Meath County Council teamed up to design a programme to promote safe cycling for primary school students. Since its inception in 2010 over 4000 children have received this life skills training.
  • Camogie Development Plan - In 2005, Meath LSP worked closely with the Meath Camogie Board in developing the Camogie Development Plan. This plan put the foundation in place which ensured that all clubs within the county were working to a common goal. That goal was realised when the Meath Camogie team won the Junior All Ireland Final in 2012.
  • Meath winner of first National Volunteers in Irish Sport Awards - In 2006 the late Paddy O'Brien was nominated by Meath LSP for the National Volunteers in Irish Sport Awards. Paddy was among the first recipients nationwide of this inaugural award. Paddy spent his lifetime involved in the promotion of Gaelic Games both in Meath and with his club Navan O Mahonys.
  • Meath Intercultural Family Festival - Meath LSP together with Cultur and RAPID organised the Meath Intercultural Family Festival from 2004 - 2008. The festival brought together people from different cultural backgrounds using the medium of sport, music, cultural demonstrations and games. Football legend Paul McGrath was the Ambassador for the festival.
  • Older Adults Programmes - Meath LSP offers a number of programmes suitable for Older Adults, examples include Mature Movers (physical activity programme incorporating different strengthening, stretching and conditioning exercises); Easy Movers (suitable for people with arthritis); Games for Life (suitable for older people, communities and disability groups) and is made up Bowling, Kurling and Boccia. Over 850 adults participate in the older adult programmes on an annual basis.
  • Disability Sport - Since 2008, Meath LSP has employed a Sports Inclusion Disability Officer (SIDO). The SIDO provides information on disability sport, delivers a number of activity programmes, encourages and supports mainstream sport and physical activity clubs in the area of inclusion. To date 2600 adults and children with a disability have availed of our programmes.
  • Meath Running Group - This group was established in 2009 to provide recreational non club joggers and runners with training support and advice to assist them in realising their running ambitions. In those four years over 240 men and women have joined the group, of which 57 have completed the full marathon (26.2 miles) and 65 the half marathon (13.1). As a novelty challenge in Olympic year 2012 the group took on the Irish Marathon record which they managed to break in 2:04:47 time - laps were run individually in relay style.
  • Meet 'n' Train and Learn to Run Programmes - these programmes are suited for participants who wish to either get fit through running or who want to learn to run properly in a safe and structured manner. The programmes continue to increase in number and participation year on year. 2012 saw 150 women training in four geographical areas across Meath.
  • Royal County 5k - commenced in 2010 and based in Kells it has now become a calendar event within local running and jogging circles.
    Date for Diary 2013: Sunday 28th April. Plans to expand it to include a 5mile route in
    2013 are promised.
  • Local sports conferences - Meath LSP provides an annual conference for club representatives, coaches, players and athletes. The 2011 'Mind over Matter...the road to sporting success' forum welcomed former World and European champion Sonia O'Sullivan, former Munster and Ireland rugby star Alan Quinlan and Elite Sports psychologist Gerry Hussey as the guest speakers. The 2008 Youth Sports Development conference focused on getting the best out of people involved in youth sports with speakers including Mike Antoniades, Chelsea &Sports Dimensions UK and Dr. Giles Warrington, Head Sports Physiologist to the Olympic Council of Ireland.


Above is a sample of the programmes, events and activities run by Meath LSP. If you require further information regarding any courses or would like to speak to someone about developing an initiative in your area or would just like to avail of training yourself, contact Meath LSP @ 046 9067337 or mlsp@meathcoco.ie or check out our website www.meathsports.ie for more information.