| Active Living Strategy Launched 2012 - 2014 |
|
Download our Active Living Strategy Clare Sports Partnership Clare in conjunction with County Development Board, have unveiled their strategy to promote and support increased participation, by those living or visiting County Clare, in active recreation, physical and sporting activities over the next three years. Building on the achievements of the Recreation & Sport Strategy 2009-2011, the Active Living Strategy provides a framework to facilitate the vision of sport and physical activity becoming part of daily life for everyone in Clare. Cllr. Patricia Mc Carthy, Chair of Clare County Development Board (CDB) welcomed the strategy stating that “the strategy has a strong social inclusion focus which is a priority for the members of the CDB. It will allow all agencies in the CDB especially those working with women & young girls, youths, older adults, people with disabilities and the unemployed to promote the benefits and awareness of physical activity in terms of improved quality of life, general health, mental health and social connectedness. She added that this is crucial in light of the worrying fact that 15.5% of the population are sedentary- that is, they do not engage in any sporting activity, or undertake recreational walks or walk or cycle for transport” Cllr Pat Hayes, Mayor of Clare stated that “an important element of the strategy is capacity building within local communities to develop and manage sporting and active recreational programmes and events that meet the needs of those living in the areas”. He added that “there is a strong link between local events such as walking festivals, running/cycling events and tourism. The role that these events also have in supporting various charities must also be acknowledged and encouraged. We all have a responsibility for our own health and I urge everyone to get involved in local activities and perhaps give something back to the local community by taking a leadership role”. One of the success’s of the previous strategy was the Meet and Train (M& T) initiative established by the Clare Sports Partnership. The newest M & T group to be established is the Killaloe/ Ballina group under the leadership of Bronagh Moriarty. Commenting on the success of this initiative, Bronagh Moriarty said that she is “delighted with the numbers participating in the Meet & Train sessions. This group is unique as it includes people from both Killaloe and Ballina and is supported by both the Clare and North Tipperary Sports Partnerships. The programme includes two training sessions, one in the morning and one in the evening time in response to when people are available. It is vital that the timing of such programmes is arranged to allow and encourage maximum participation. Meet & Train groups provide a safe environment where people of all ages and ability can walk, jog or run in the company or their friends and have fun while doing so!” Ms. Máire Johnston, Chairperson of the Clare Sports Partnership said that 'The Clare Sports Partnership is delighted to once again to be in a position to work with the County Development Board to bring our second joint strategy for sports and physical activity. The collaborative approach has worked well since 2007 and has meant that investment in sports and physical activity in the county has become very strategic and cost effective.' The publication of the Active Living Strategy is part of a series of initiatives being undertaken by Clare County Development Board during National Recreation week which runs from October 27th to November 3rd 2011. A copy of the strategy is available from either Clare Sports Partnership or the Community & Enterprise Directorate of Clare County Council and the following websites |