At 2.00pm om Wednesday next, November 20, at the Lourdes Stadium, Minister for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne will launch a new project called ‘SPORTUILE’ for the Drogheda and East Meath area, that aims to deliver on the objectives of the Drogheda Implementation Plan through the medium of Sport and Physical Activity.
The five year project, endorsed by the Drogheda Implementation Board, has initially secured €200,000 a year, for the first three years from Sport Ireland to employ three Sports Development staff to work directly in the communities of Drogheda and East Meath. Meath and Louth County Councils will each provide an additional €60,000 in funding to support the work of SPORTUILE in these communities.
The project will provide a targeted approach to the current work of both Sports Partnerships whose goals are to increase participation in Sport and Physical Activity, support the sporting community, clubs, organisations and other stakeholders to develop sport in their area, providing training and education for volunteers in these communities.
SPORTUILE will provide support, opportunities and initiatives that are proven to improve physical and mental health, reduce crime levels, provide positive outlets for people of all ages and abilities, and in doing so, bring communities closer together.
”Sport is a proven tool for bringing communities together and giving them a sense of identity. With offices in Drogheda and East Meath, SPORTUILE, supported by the two LSP’s, will ensure that the staff are visible and available to engage with the local communities and stakeholders.” Graham Russell (Head of Sport, Louth LSP & Louth County Council)
”Meath LSP are excited to be at the launch stage of SportUile, our Driving Change Through Sport project. This project will not only compliment the work of the two LSP’s but bring additionality to the delivery of targeted programmes to the people living in the Drogheda & East Meath areas. We look forward to developing the SportUile project over the coming 5 years.” Mary Murphy (CEO, Meath LSP).
The project which has secured multi-annual funding from Sport Ireland and the Local Authorities in both Louth and Meath is a collaboration between Meath Local Sports Partnership & Louth Local Sports Partnership. The funding was secured on the strength of a proposal put forward by the two Sports Partnerships, entitled ‘Driving Change Through Sport’.
