Local sports advocate and Fine Gael candidate for Galway City East local elections, Aisling Keogh, has called for a more collaborative effort among sporting bodies to create community shared sports facilities in Galway city and county.
Having spear headed the successful 'Misneach Le Cheile' Hockey facilities sports campaign Keogh, with the help of members of Connacht Hockey and sitting Fine Gael councillor Clodagh Higgins, dedicated over three years to ensure the inclusion of community and hockey sports facilities in the Galway City Development Plan.
As a result of that campaign Keogh feels it is time for more sporting bodies to come together to get the facilities they need. By pooling resources such as facilities, land, and grant potential, larger sporting bodies could work to include what are considered to be 'minority sports' to construct state-of-the-art combined facilities in a sports park scenario. This aim would be to attract more members and revenue into clubs while fostering a stronger sense of community engagement through sport.
Keogh said; “I commend the recent call from the GAA on the city and county council to allocate the Galway Airport site to sport. I have seen first-hand the positive impact that shared sports facilities in other countries, such as the Netherlands, can have on a community."
However, Keogh feels that investment needs to be considered for more than one sporting body; "By coming together and leveraging our resources, we can create top-notch facilities that will not only benefit clubs but also contribute to the overall development of sports and retention of sports participants in our region.”
The suggested collaboration with sporting bodies was discussed by Keogh and others, on the use of the Galway Airport Site, with the Galway City Chief Executive and his team, on a zoom call, during Covid. During the call the sports campaigners emphasised the potential for collaboration among a number of different sporting bodies to maximise the use of the airport site by combining resources and providing enhanced facilities for athletes and enthusiasts alike.
Keogh continued; "Having been involved in a similar project for Mountain South in Athenry the benefits of shared facilities are game changing". The shared facilities would not only offer cost-effective solutions but also promote inclusivity and accessibility across various sports such as GAA, hockey, cricket, tennis, athletics and the other major sports.
This call for action aligns with the broader goal of promoting active lifestyles and fostering a sense of community through sports. By working together, sporting organisations can create a network of modern, multi-sport facilities that cater to diverse interests and age groups. The shared facilities would also serve as hubs for talent development, training programs, and community events, further enriching the local sports landscape.
Keogh urges stakeholders within the city and county council and the sporting community to consider the long-term benefits of collaborative facility development and explore opportunities for joint initiatives with other national governing bodies in sport rather than working in silos.
Keogh concluded; "We need to think outside the box and work towards facilities to allow 'sport for all'".
The potential impact of such endeavours extends beyond individual clubs and organisations, contributing to the overall growth and vibrancy of sports in Galway city, county and beyond.
Keogh concluded; "We need to seriously think about the future of sport in the West of Ireland and about the next generation who deserve nothing but the best so that they can be the best!"
