At a recent Mayo Sports Partnership Board meeting  €19,000 was allocated to 37 clubs / organisations in Mayo through both the Partnerships 2014 special participation grant scheme. Special guest at a recent presentation evening, Minister of State for Sport and Tourism Michael Ring, complimented the work being done on the ground by many volunteers and how it was important to recognise their contributions in whatever way possible.

“ Without volunteers sport in this country just would not happen. So I am delighted that this scheme is able to support clubs / organisations throughout the county in the development of their activities ” Minister Ring  stated.

The aim of the Sports Partnership is to increase participation in sport / physical activity and it is envisaged that all projects will help to do just that particularly in disadvantaged sectors of the population. This year the scheme has funded initiatives including the set up of a new Athletics Club in Ballycastle, a basketball club in Ballintubber, the development of girls soccer in Kiltimagh / Knock Utd, Camogie programmes in Ballina and Westport, the development of a Mayo Table Tennis Academy, a Fit4Youth teenage fitness initiative with Ballina Athletic Club, swimming and exercise classes in the travelling community, sports / activity programmes for autistic children, a sports / activity initiative for youth in Ballinrobe and much more.

 “ Mayo Sports Partnership is delighted to be able to continue this annual scheme supporting initiatives across the county. I would like to thank in particular the Irish Sports Council and Minister Ring for providing this funding”  Mayo Sports Partnership Sports Co-ordinator Charlie Lambert added

Mayo Sports Partnership comprises of representatives from local agencies, sports organisations and community representatives, is core funded by the Irish Sports Council and is hosted by Mayo County Council. For funding under the annual Special Participation Grant Scheme applicants need to show that the suggested project will increase participation and is sustainable.

Since 2005 the Partnership has brought an overall investment of close to €6 million to developing sport and recreation within the county. Many projects / initiatives involving pre-schools all the way up to older people have benefited from this significant input. Significant contributions, both financially and in kind, of partner agencies on the board such as Mayo County Council, Mayo VEC, HSE West, GMIT, Leader Companies, Udaras na Gaeltachta, Mayo Education Centre and other stakeholders has also been key to the successful development of the Partnership.

Any further information on the above can be obtained by contacting Mayo Sports Partnership at 094-9047025 or by logging on to www.mayosports.ie

The full list of Clubs/Organisations who received funding are:

Special Project Participation Initiative Grants 2014

Organisation/ Club                                                                   Total amount

Urlar Community Centre                                                             €700

The Maple Youth Centre                                                              €500

Islandeady Foroige                                                                                 €500

Erris Mens Shed and Erris Mens Initiative                            €700

Lecanvey Community Centre                                                       €500

Kilmovee Family Resource Centre                                                €300

Erris Womens Group                                                                   €400

River Moy Search and Recue Ballina                                             €400

Mayo Traveller Support Group                                                     €1000

Mayo Shore Angling Club                                                             €400

Ballycastle Athletic Club                                                              €800

Kilmoremoy Ladies Gaelic Football Club                           €500

Ballina Water Club                                                                                 €300

Ballintubber Basketball Club                                                        €700

Ballinrobe Town AFC                                                                  €500

Ballina Athletic Club                                                                   €600

Parks Tennis Ballina                                                                   €400

Claremorris Colts RFC                                                                 €300

Newport Sea Angling Club                                                           €400

Kiltimagh Knock Uld Soccer Club                                                 €800

Claremorris Lawn Tennis Club                                                     €400

James Stephens Camogie Club                                                     €500

Newport Town FC                                                                                  €300

Kiltimagh Giants Basketball Club                                                  €500

Moy Valley Freestyle Martial Arts Club                                          €400

Mayo Table Tennis Academy                                                       €900

Westport Squash Club                                                                 €800

Ballina Tennis Club                                                                                 €300

Mayo Ladies Masters Basketball                                                    €500

Claremorris Seniors Golf Club                                                      €400

St Anne’s Boxing Club                                                                 €300

Westport Camogie Club                                                               €500

Association of Western Airsoft Players                                           €500

Barnacarroll Area Development                                                   €200

Arthritis Ireland-Mayo Branch                                                       €500

Irish Wheelchair Association                                                         €900

Mayo Autism Sports Club                                                             €400

Total Amount Allocated                                                      €19,000