At the national launch of the annual Sports Partnership report in Westport, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring, said that he intends to encourage the participation in sport over the coming years and wants sports to be “funded from the bottom up”.
At the launch of the report at Westport Leisure Centre on Monday afternoon, the Minister said that he wants to see the Sports Capital Programme fund projects at the local level. Deputy Ring said that another community focused funding scheme is also on the cards for this year.
“Sport is out there for everyone,” the junior minister said, adding that he would like to see more people involved, especially those in the disadvantaged areas, those with disabilities, and the increase of women taking part in sport.
“Sport is good for health and wellbeing,” and in turn “this will lead to people visiting their doctors less often which is less expense for the State,” he added.
The CEO of the Irish Sports Council, John Treacy, discussed the importance of a scheme which has been rolled out nationally for those who are unemployed. The Link2beActive scheme enables unemployed people to access sports at a discounted rate.
As for the report itself, it highlights that there has been an increase in local participation.
Local Mayo Sports Partnership co-ordinator Charlie Lambert particularly thanked the volunteers who are the “lifeblood of support” and who “drive sport on”.
