The board of the Mayo Sports Partnership has announced details of its upcoming Special Participation Grant Scheme for 2012. This scheme invites clubs and organisations which have sport/recreation as their central focus to submit proposals which would increase participation among target groups such as youth at risk, disadvantaged communities, unemployed, women, Travelling community, people with disabilities, and ethnic minorities. This may include setting up new clubs or additional activities which would increase participation within existing organisations.
This year a particular focus is being placed on inviting communities/organisations to think about forming meet and train/spin groups for their area. Mayo Sports Partnership sports co-ordinator Charlie Lambert explains: “Meet and Train involves people of all ages and abilities meeting up on particular evenings/times to walk, run, or even cycle in a fun non competitive environment. A number of these groups are already up and running and are providing a fantastic social outlet which is particularly important in the current environment.”
Initiatives which received funding under the scheme in the past included a water sports initiative in the Erris Area, setting up community sports clubs, adventure sports opportunities, mass participation programmes in running/walking , new badminton club, cycling initiatives, and the promotion of camogie in Mayo. Organisations/groups are asked to note that capital/building projects are not eligible for funding under the schemes criteria. “Mayo Sports Partnership recognises the role that community and voluntary organisations throughout the county play in providing participation opportunities for all sections of the population. This scheme aims to provide support in whatever small way possible to enable such projects to come to fruition,” commented Mayo Sports Partnership chairman Henry Kenny. Unfortunately like a lot of funding schemes this initiative has also been reduced, however the Sports Partnership is able to supplement this year’s reduced allocation with funds from the Western People West of Ireland Women’s Mini Marathon. Approximately €14,000 is available under this years scheme which has a closing date of Friday May 4. The maximum which can be allocated to any one project is €1,000 and this is dependent on the quality of the initiative. The Mayo Sports Partnership board will decide on all successful applications and its recommendations are final.
For further information on the scheme contact the Sports Partnership office at 094 9047025 or log on to www.mayosports.ie/news to download a copy of the application rm.
