PARTICIPATION A new stronger Local Sports Partnership for Cork

John Treacy CEO of the Irish Sports Council today attended the first Board meeting of the newly merged Local Sports Partnership in Cork. John Treacy on addressing the new Board of Directors said that "This is a really strong development for Cork and following the merger of both the City and County Sports Partnerships we now have a much more sustainable and focused approach to the objective of increasing Participation in Sport Recreation and Physical Activity in Cork. I would like to acknowledge the role and support of all the partners and agencies involved who contributed to this merger process and assure you all that the Sports Council is committed to supporting the Cork Local Sports Partnership in delivering high quality information, training and programmes for many years to come."

This new Sports partnership is unique in that many of the Partners involved are working across boundaries, to cooperate and support the Partnership activities. In particular the 2 Cork Local Authorities and VECs are strong Board members and have committed full support to this merger. The Sports Partnership staff, are accommodated in the Co. Cork VEC offices in Ballincollig and the City Council Offices in City hall. The HSE, Cork City VEC, Garda Siochana, Cork County Council are also among the agencies that have provided immense support through programme funding and other non financial support in the past, and have committed to continuing this support for the new Sports Partnership into the future. University College Cork and the Cork Institute of Technology are also involved on the Board and bring a very valuable 3rd level insight, while also directly supporting many of the partnership Activities. The CIT provide access to their facilities for the annual Cork Sportsability day and also access to the outdoor facilities for a weekly meet & train session. Many others are closely involved in the Board of this Partnership, and with media/sports personalities like Tony Davis and Paudie Palmer on side this Partnership, will most definitely be making a regular impact on our many news items.

According to Michael Crowley (Partnership CoOrdinator), "The Local Sports Partnership network is now regarded as the most effective way to develop opportunities for people of all ages to participate in sport in their own communities. The key activities of providing information and training and delivering programmes locally have already made a strong positive impact on clubs, schools and communities in Cork, and we now look forward to even better results following this merger with the City and County Sports Partnerships. Participation in sport and physical activity provides social, health, economic and environmental benefits, however we recognise that action needs to occur at all levels with all sectors of the community and this new entity, the Cork Local Sports Partnership is committed to working towards achieving this aim."