The funding allocated includes €70,000 for the development of the Carrickphierish School and Community Sports Hub in Waterford City. The Carrickphierish School and Community Campus, which will open in September 2015, will provide a new home to two primary schools, a comprehensive community library and a large sports hall to be shared by the schools and the community. A further €16,000 has been allocated to the creation of a Community Coaching Programme in Waterford.
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Pictured at the launch of Dormant Accounts funding announcement for Waterford was Rosarie Kealy, Co-ordinator, Waterford Sports Partnership with Minister Michael Ring and Emma Jane Clarke of the Irish Sports Council. |
Jacinta Burke, WSP Chairperson, welcomed the funding allocation for Waterford stating “It is great to see that Waterford is one of only nine sites selected across the Local Sports Partnership network for the school and community sports hub and this funding will allow for additional opportunities for participation in sport and physical activity for people of all ages in the area”.
Commenting on the funding allocation for Waterford, Rosarie Kealy, Sports Co ordinator WSP stated “The Carrickphierish School and Community Sports Hub offers a unique opportunity to build solid foundations for sports and physical activity in the Carrickphierish area by schools, community organisations, sports clubs and agencies working together in a co-ordinated way to maximise the participation opportunity the new facility presents. We in WSP are delighted to support the project. We acknowledge the significant contribution made by Waterford City & County Council, Gaelscoil na nDeise, Waterford Educate Together, Waterford City Library Service and local community and sporting organisations towards the successful funding bid.’
The focus of the project is to promote, attract and develop sustained usage of the new facility and participation in community sports and physical activity through providing appropriate participation programmes, come and try it opportunities, training for local leaders and volunteers and supporting club development. The project will also be used as an opportunity to contribute to the development by the facility partners of a model for effective school/community facility sharing.
Additional funding received under the Community Coaching Programme aims to deliver
specialised sports coaching and education courses for jobseekers in Waterford. The programme is in line with the Government’s ‘Pathways to Work’ Policy and seeks to empower individuals by providing a clear education pathway for those interested in working in sports development. The Community Coaching programme in Waterford will give 12 unemployed people an opportunity to become trained in sports coaching and sports related skills. The initiative recognises that many unemployed people have an interest in sport and this programme will offer the potential to provide a pathway towards further training or employment opportunities.
Announcing the overall investment, Minister Ring commented “I believe it is extremely important that people are encouraged and given opportunities to participate in sport and physical activity. Participation will lead to a healthier society and an overall improvement in the quality of life. These innovative hubs will support the sustainable development of sporting opportunities in communities across Ireland”.
Read the National Press Release here
