Beara Sports Partnership Launch

The launch of the Beara Sports Partnership took place Friday May 28^th in the BIM Centre, Castletownbere.  Donal O’Sullivan, Chairperson of the newly formed Sports Partnership welcomed everyone and handed over to Michael Crowley, Co. Cork Sports Partnership Coordinator.  Michael gave the background to the Co Cork Sports Partnership and how the Beara Sports Partnership came about.  Donal O’Sullivan, Michael Joe O’Sullivan and Gwen O’Donovan made an application to Challenge Funding for finances towards this new and innovative project, and €9,000 was granted.  A committee was elected from a meeting held in Cametrignane Hotel during which there was 17 sporting organisations represented.

            Michael Crowley expressed his delight to be involved with the Partnership.  He wants to see health back on the agenda.  At present the 9 National Schools in Beara and Glengarrif have the Buntus Programme in operation.  He hopes that through the Beara Sports Partnership more people will get involved and active in sport and recreation.  He pledges to support the Partnership and wishes them every success.

            Donal O’Sullivan thanked Michael for his hard work and recognised the Buntus Programme as an invaluable course for the National Schools.  He stressed that there needs to be a continuation after National school.  Our lifestyle of couch potatoes, tv and the drinking culture needs to be challenged.  The Partnership aims to get all the sporting groups communicating and coordinated and to educate through sport.  To kick off the Partnership there will be two First Aid courses held in June and September.  42 people have applied for 20 places, which shows the demand for these courses.  In July the Sport for All course will take place the Code of Ethics course in September. 

            With regards to funding, Donal feels that the Partnership will be a good avenue for securing future funding.  It will be essential to coordinate funding for the benefit of the community, rather than individual groups.  At present, future plans for the Partnership lies in the hands of the people in Beara.  If needs arise, professional coaches can come to coach the coaches.  After the courses have taken place, in September, it will be decided how the remaining funds will be spent.  Donal urged all present to communicate their needs through the committee.  Out main aim is to get more people, of all age groups, more active and participating in sports and recreation.

            Michael handed over the cheque of €9,000 to the Beara Sports Partnership and wished them all the success for the future.

Committee:  Chairperson – Donal O’Sullivan,  Secretary – Tricia Lyne,  Treasurers – Mary O’Sullivan and Austin Manning, PRO – Gwen O’Donovan, Committee members – Siobhan O’Sullivan, Michael Joe O’Sullivan and Frank Conroy