i d e a July Provision Virtual Activities s o Laois Sports Partnership c July provision virtual activities for primary school children i a This year for July provision we made up bags of equipment for children and sent videos to all par- l ticipants. Participants enrolled with up to 50 activity packs distributed . Videos were sent with o fun games that can be played with the equipment Mid-Year Report 2020 INSIDE u t And zoom sessions held with fun and dance music with our Sport Leaders who usually help out at l our camps. OT & School e So far this year we have went from mass participation events such as t Operation Transformation to a virtual world. We are now entering a Programmes phase of adapting to a new normal and returning to sport. Laois a n Sports Partnership are committed to providing a safe and healthy Education & d return to sport environment for all our staff, coaches, tutors, participants and partner organisations. All LSP staff and contracted Training s tutors are responsible for the implementation of our COVID-19 Return o to Sport Protocols. In line with our Health & Safety guidelines we will c Communications i endeavour to provide a suitable and safe environment for activities to a take place and look forward to welcoming you all again. l General i Participation n t Programmes e r a Five Ways to c Wellbeing t i o n LSP Goes Virtual C r LSP Return to e Sport a t e facebook.com/laoislsp a w a 057 867 1248 r Laois Sports Partnership @LaoisSportsLSP e n e [email protected] laoissportslsp s Portlaoise Leisure Centre, s www.laoissports.ie Moneyballytyrrell, o Laois Sports Partnership f Portlaoise, facebook.com/laoislsp Co. Laois Phone: 057 867 1248 A b Fax: 057 867 1253 b @LaoisSportsLSP Email: [email protected] e Web: www.laoissports.ie y l e laoissportslsp Portlaoise Leisure Centre, i Moneyballtyrrell, x Portlaoise, Laois Sports Partnership Co. Laois t e R32 YP11 n n i s Operation Transformation & School Programmes LSP Return to Sport .Activator Training 1,100 people got out and active in Co Laois for Operation Transformation Nationwide walk Operation Transformation walks were held in conjunction with Sport Ireland and the Local Sports Partnership’s and the took place across 26 counties at 11am on Saturday 18th January. Fitwalk Ireland Frank Fahey delivered an ex- Along with the Emo Court & Parklands walk which was hosted by Laois Sports Partnership, we cellent "Activator Trainers Workshop" in were delighted to be supporting 11 community and walking groups to lead out OT walks in their own towns and parishes. In November we advertised on social media if communities were interest- Mountrath. ed in rolling out an OT Walk and to submit an expression of interest to our office. The interest was Activator poles can be used to enhance bal- excellent, and we ended up with walks taking place in Rosenallis, Portarlington, Kilcavan, Borris/ ance and other components of functional fit- Kilcotton, The Swan, Rathdowney, Stradbally/Ballykilcavan, Mountmellick, Shanahoe, Cullohill and ness. Mountrath. These events were part of a national initiative to promote the message that walking is a fun way for Participants attending the workshop learn people to get active as part of a healthier lifestyle. (a) how to effectively use ACTIVATOR poles to A huge turnout at Emo Court & Parklands for the Operation Transformation walk, registration and improve functional fitness; and parking were based at Emo Community Centre and Emo National School. (b) how to deliver our new ACTIVATOR Pro- gramme Activator Pole Trainers Session in Derryounce Portarlington Getting the newly trained activator pole train- ers to implement their learning from their Out- door Training in Mountrath. LSP Primary Schools Athletics & Basketball Programmes Our 2019/2020 Primary Schools Athletics Programme was suc- cessfully delivered at 5 venues across the county, with approx. Walking 1,400 children taking part. The programme will be reviewed in the th Autumn to see in what capacity it can be delivered under social We re-commenced our Walking Group with our Woodlands for Health & Parkinsons group on 25 distancing regulations, subject to engagement from schools. June. This is going really well and everyone is delighted to be back with 15 participants walking weekly. Our Primary Schools Basketball Coaching Programme, League & Blitz days have been postponed until further notice. In 2019 over 1,100 children received coaching, while approx. 1,200 took part in our league and blitz days. Efforts will be made to engage with schools in a limited capacity in the Autumn to deliver coaching elements of the programme. Sports Leader Award Secondary School Programme We have completed 1 Level 2 course with 21 participants in Rathdowney, LSP Return to Sport . LSP Secondary School Programmes Our Teenscene Activity programme was delivered in Scoil Chríost Rí and Mountrath Community The Heath Golf th Course is in full School. A range of activities were delivered to pupils in TY and 5 year, including kick boxing, self swing with Get into defence, zumba, trampoline fitness and yoga. Further sessions for remaining schools have been Golf programme postponed until the Autumn pending consultation with schools, tutors and subject to social for women which distancing. commenced with an information night on 25th June Sport Leader Level 2 training was delivered to secondary school students in the Rathdowney area followed by a 6 with the aim of engaging them in our new Rathdowney Errill Activity Hub. Additional courses have week programme. postponed until further notice. An additional tutor has been trained up to deliver these courses which will increase our capacity to facilitate courses in the Autumn if schools are in a position to engage with us. Sport Leader UK have also developed an online course which may be an option for some schools instead. LSP Activity Resources We have developed a series of Activity Resources aimed at supporting sport and physical activity 60 women at home while adhering to social distancing guideline. Included in the resources are games completed the Women in Sport Get into Golf Our Sport Leaders leading the way in Laois to get adapted for both children and adults to include physical activity such as Uno, Bingo, Dice Games, Spell Your Name etc, and other supports such as the Activity Pyramid, Daily Mile Challenge and Programme in The Heath GAA Golf Club. physically active Simple Games to Play at home. The Resources were intended to meet the initial need for families looking for ways to entertain children and to encourage households to remain active and engaged during for phases of nation- wide lockdown. They also raised the LSP profile both locally and nationally as a leader in promot- ing sports and physical activity which was reflected in our social media “reach” stats. These Resources can also be used in new ways as the country adapts to the “new normal” eg they can be adapted for schools and specific groups and incorporated into other programmes. Well Done to Lee, Amy, Charlie and Cathal for their contribution to July Provisions, National BeActive Day, EZ peasy zoom fitness and National Play Day. Education & Training Sport & Physical Activity Grant Scheme Sport Ireland COVID 19 Course What were the out- All the participants have received instruction in driving . Return to Sport Phase 3 comes of the Pro- the ball, chipping and putting and have had practice LSP Sport & Physical Activity Grants Scheme Since March, Sport Ireland has been providing benefits many local communities in Laois. This gramme/Initiative/ on the golf course. 10 Ladies and 1 junior girl have the sport sector with up to date guidance and year, there were two categories under which Event? joined the club so far. advice on COVID-19. This information has candidates could apply: Women in Sport been in line with recommendations from the Grants and LSP Small Grants Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, The criteria to be matched by applicants includ- the Department of Health, the Health Protec- ed the following: tion Surveillance Centre, the Department of the What are the next steps • Innovation Taoiseach and the National Public Health for follow on… We hope that we will get at least another 10 members • Sustainability Emergency Team as they have until the end of next week to take up the • Ability to meet objectives offer. The participants will be supported by current • Number of participants in target groups, members of the club with practice on the course and • Partnerships within the organisation This course is broken into Sections A & B with instruction regarding etiquette and rules. • Support materials. a Certificate of Completion available for down- load after each section is completed. Individu- Grants have been awarded to a total of als can complete section A, get a Certificate of €11,980 to 22 clubs and organisations Completion regarding general Return to Sport Quotes from the partic- After a lesson: it was wonderful to hear… ipants, information and then leave the course. COVID- “Brilliant lesson today, looking forward to tomorrow” 19 Officers, or others with an interest in the ad- After the Saturday on course practice. ditional information, can complete both sec- “Very enjoyable day today I have to say. A lot to learn tions A & B and get a Certificate of Completion but great teacher. Thanks Mark, Bernie, Helen and all for each section of the course. involved” “Great day thanks a mill guys” Section A - General information to support “Great day, really enjoyable and nice to get out on the course. “Thanks to everyone for organising” administrators, volunteers, coaches, parents and participants to return to sport in a safe & “Thanks to all for their time and encouragement” Safeguarding “Thanks to all who put so much into organising today” We have held 1 Safeguarding 1 courses with 17 practical manner.