Westmeath Sports Partnership is delighted to confirm that it will receive over €114,000 (€114,100) through the 2023 Dormant Accounts Funding stream.
The money is provided following an application to Sport Ireland and was approved by the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, the Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne TD, and the Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, Joe O’Brien TD.
The money will be used to support a variety of programmes and initiatives across Co. Westmeath in 2024 to encourage and support people in sporting activities and becoming more physically active.
The Dormant Accounts Fund enables unclaimed funds from accounts in credit institutions in Ireland to be utilised to support the development of individuals who are economically or educationally disadvantaged, or those affected by a disability.
Areas in which Westmeath Sports Partnership has been allocated funding include Youth Leadership, Volunteer Supports, Sports Inclusion Disability Projects, Urban Outdoor Adventure Initiatives and HER Moves.
The funding ensures that communities, organisations and groups all across Co. Westmeath will get an opportunity to be more active in the coming months and provides continued support for the work carried out by Westmeath Sports Partnership staff every day.
Overall, a total of €4.86m is being allocated for Local Sports Partnerships and Active Disability Ireland under the Tranche 1 funding allocation. Sport Ireland will also be announcing a second round of Dormant Accounts Funding later this year.
A full breakdown of the funding for Westmeath Sports Partnership is contained below.
Youth Leadership
Westmeath Sports Partnership – €5,000
This initiative involves the development and delivery of a variety of leadership training programmes for young people providing a stepping stone for learners into employment and also into further education or training.
These programmes will develop generic leadership skills that can be applied to a variety of sports and/or recreational situations as well as contributing to the personal development of the learner.
Overall the initiative will provide training for young people, keeping them engaged, increasing their responsibility, and developing their confidence and self-esteem and will provide an opportunity for lifelong volunteering.
The programme has the potential to impact on both early school dropout in disadvantaged areas and dropout rates from sport within the targeted age group.
Volunteer Supports
Westmeath Sports Partnership – €15,000
The volunteer supports initiative aims to successfully identify and assist targeted individuals who are volunteering in disadvantaged communities or with people with disabilities to gain community sport and physical activity leadership skills e.g., as coaches, leaders, referees, committee members etc.
This fund is used to support coaching and development programmes or standalone training
opportunities to support targeted volunteers.
Initiatives will be carried out in disadvantaged communities and/or with people with disabilities with the aim to contribute to the development of confidence amongst participants, and eventually in the community through the subsequent volunteer sport development work carried out by participants.
Sports Inclusion Disability Projects (SIDP)
Westmeath Sports Partnership – €15,800
The SIDP fund aims to reduce barriers to sports participation for people with a disability through minor infrastructure development and the provision of equipment. The fund can be used to purchase a range of disability sports equipment such as beach wheelchairs and pool pods and enabling infrastructure including handrails and fittings.
This infrastructure will seek to increase participation in sport or physical activity for people with a disability in their county.
Urban Outdoor Adventure Initiatives (UOAI)
Westmeath Sports Partnership – €45,000
The objective of the UOAI is to create opportunities for people living in disadvantaged communities to participate in outdoor adventure sports in urban settings. The programme also seeks to create new opportunities for people with a disability and at-risk youths.
Opportunities for people living in urban communities to experience outdoor adventure sports are limited due to natural environments, distance from traditional outdoor settings (forests, mountains etc.) where activities are usually offered, and need for equipment, supervision, training and support to engage in these sports.
Her Moves
Westmeath Sports Partnership – €13,300
The Her Moves campaign, which builds upon the Girls Get Active programme, was launched in March 2023. The vision of the campaign is to implement a systems change campaign through the creation of a brand, effective messaging, an online space and physical activity opportunities. This will give girls confidence and motivation, make them feel empowered to be active in their own way.
To support this campaign, LSPs will create and deliver sports and physical activity programmes based on the 8 Key Principles of Success from the Adolescent Girls Get Active Research Report. The fund is focused on supporting the development and piloting of programmes and initiatives that target reducing the drop out in sport and physical activity in adolescent girls.
Community Sports Hub
Westmeath Sports Partnership – *€20,000 (Allocated in 2020)
The objective of the Community Sport and Physical Activity Hubs is to bring local people together and provide a home for local clubs and sports organisations.
The hubs sit within the existing structures of the LSPs which operate under the remit of Sport Ireland. The hubs will provide information, support and advice on a wide range of sports and physical activities to make it easier for people in disadvantaged areas to get involved and engage in a more active and healthier lifestyle.
You can read the full Sport Ireland Dormant Accounts Tranche 1 Report here