€22,000 in funding distributed to 45 Sports and Recreation groups by Mayo Sports Partnership

At a recent Mayo Sports Partnership Board meeting almost €22,000 was allocated to 45 clubs / organisations in Mayo through both the Partnerships 2013 special participation and Bike Week grant schemes. 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 support clubs / groups in these tough economic times.

" Volunteers are the lifeblood of sport across this county and I would like to put on the record my own personal appreciation for all the great work that they do. A small bit of funding can help many clubs in achieving their goals " 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 further development of Basketball in Mayo, junior angling participation in Newport, underage cycling section in Ballina Cycling Club, start up of new clubs in weightlifting and athletics, recreational GAA and walking groups with the Mayo Branch of Arthritis Ireland.

In addition the Partnership was able to distribute €4,250, through funding from the Department of Transport, for recreational Bike Week events which take place from the 15th - 23rd June.

"Despite cutbacks 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 a sub-office of the Mayo County Development Board. 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 €5 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 investment mainly through the Irish Sports Councils direct funding. The above figure does not include the very significant input 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.

Pictured in Ballyheane Community Centre, Michael Ring TD Minister of State for Sport and Tourism, addressing the representatives from the various clubs who received funding . Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2013.

Pictured in Ballyheane Community Centre, Mayo Sports Partnership Board presenting cheques to various sports and recreation groups, front l-r; Michael Ring TD Minister of State for Sport and Tourism, Sean Fahy, Newport Angling Club and Councillor Henry Kenny, Chairman. Back l-r; Gerry O’Neill, MSP, Padraig McHale MSP, Declan Moran, Newport Angling Club and Charlie Lambert, Co-Coordinator MSP. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2013.

Pictured in Ballyheane Community Centre, Mayo Sports Partnership Board presenting cheques to various sports and recreation groups, front l-r; Michael Ring TD Minister of State for Sport and Tourism, Paul Cunnane, Claremorris Rugby Club and Councillor Henry Kenny, Chairman. Back l-r; Gerry O’Neill, MSP, Padraig McHale MSP, Kevin O’Malley, Claremorris Rugby Club and Charlie Lambert, Co-Coordinator MSP. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2013.

Pictured in Ballyheane Community Centre, Mayo Sports Partnership Board presenting cheques to various sports and recreation groups, front l-r; Michael Ring TD Minister of State for Sport and Tourism,Val McMorrow, Ballina Cycling Club and Councillor Henry Kenny, Chairman. Back l-r; Gerry O’Neill, MSP, Padraig McHale MSP, Eamonn Kennedy, Ballina Cycling Club and Charlie Lambert, Co-Coordinator MSP. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2013.

Pictured in Ballyheane Community Centre, Mayo Sports Partnership Board presenting cheques to various sports and recreation groups, front l-r; Michael Ring TD Minister of State for Sport, and Tourism, Honor Benson, Castlebar Cycling Club and Councillor Henry Kenny, Chairman. Back l-r; Gerry O’Neill, MSP, Padraig McHale MSP, and Charlie Lambert, Co-Coordinator MSP. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2013.

Pictured in Ballyheane Community Centre, Mayo Sports Partnership Board presenting cheques to various sports and recreation groups, front l-r; Michael Ring TD Minister of State for Sport and Tourism, Ciaran Rouse, Ballina Rugby Club and Councillor Henry Kenny, Chairman. Back l-r; Gerry O’Neill, MSP, Padraig McHale MSP, Tony Duffy, Ballina Rugby Club and Charlie Lambert, Co-Coordinator MSP. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2013.

Pictured in Ballyheane Community Centre, Mayo Sports Partnership Board presenting cheques to various sports and recreation groups, front l-r; Majella Loftus, Castlebar Boxing Club, Michael Ring TD Minister of State for Sport and Tourism, Martina Heneghan, Castlebar Boxing Club and Councillor Henry Kenny, Chairman. Back l-r; Gerry O’Neill, MSP, Padraig McHale MSP and Charlie Lambert, Co-Coordinator MSP. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2013.

Pictured in Ballyheane Community Centre, Mayo Sports Partnership Board presenting cheques to various sports and recreation groups, front l-r; Michael Ring TD Minister of State for Sport and Tourism, Josie Gallagher , Urlaur Community Centre, and Councillor Henry Kenny, Chairman. Back l-r; Gerry O’Neill, MSP, Padraig McHale MSP, and Charlie Lambert, Co-Coordinator MSP. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2013.

Pictured in Ballyheane Community Centre, Mayo Sports Partnership Board presenting cheques to various sports and recreation groups, front l-r; Breege Ruddy, Erris Women’s Group, Michael Ring TD Minister of State for Sport and Tourism and Bridget Browne, Erris Women’s Group. Back l-r; Gerry O’Neill, MSP, Padraig McHale MSP, Councillor Henry Kenny, Chairman and Charlie Lambert, Co-Coordinator MSP. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2013.

Pictured in Ballyheane Community Centre, Mayo Sports Partnership Board presenting cheques to various sports and recreation groups, front l-r; Paul Bree, Westport Special Olympics, Michael Ring TD Minister of State for Sport and Tourism and Mick Quinn, Westport Special Olympics . Back l-r; Gerry O’Neill, MSP, Padraig McHale MSP, Councillor Henry Kenny, Chairman and Charlie Lambert, Co-Coordinator MSP. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2013.

Pictured in Ballyheane Community Centre, Mayo Sports Partnership Board presenting cheques to various sports and recreation groups, front l-r; Michael Ring TD Minister of State for Sport and Tourism, Faith Cha & Stephen Grogan, Ballyhaunis Family Resource Centre, (Ethnic Minorities) . Back l-r; Gerry O’Neill, MSP, Padraig McHale MSP, Councillor Henry Kenny, Chairman and Charlie Lambert, Co-Coordinator MSP. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2013.

Pictured in Ballyheane Community Centre, Mayo Sports Partnership Board presenting cheques to various sports and recreation groups, front l-r; Michael Ring TD Minister of State for Sport and Tourism, Pippa Daniel, Mayo Traveller Support Group and Councillor Henry Kenny, Chairman. Back l-r; Gerry O’Neill, MSP, Padraig McHale MSP, and Charlie Lambert, Co-Coordinator MSP. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2013.

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 PARTICIPATION GRANT SCHEME 2013
Name of Club / Organisation - Total Amount Allocated

Claremorris Colts Rugby Club - €800
Newport Sea Angling Club - €800
Mayo Weightlifting Club - €500
Kiltane Ladies Club - €600
Cumann Capallin Iorrais - €300
Kilmeena Ladies GAA Club - €600
Aglish Boxing Club - €700
Ballina Cycling Club - €700
Westport United - €750
Parks Tennis Ballina - €400
Ballina Tennis Club - €300
James Stephens Hurling Club - €700
Aughagower Athletic Club - €600
Westport Tennis Club - €800
Ballina Water Polo Club - €500
Castlebar Cycling Club - €500
Westport GAA - €500
Mayo Basketball Board - €500
Ballina Rugby Club - €500
Belcarra Sports Centre - €500
Club Ramhaiocht Tullaghan - €500
Mayo Traveller Support Group - €1,000
Urlaur Community Centre - €500
Balla No Name Club - €400
Ballina Family Resource Centre - €500
Erris Mens Shed - €450
Erris Womens Group - €400
Ballyhaunis Family Resource Centre - €400
Mayo Branch of Arthritis Ireland - €500
Westport Special Olympics Club - €800
Claremorris Leisure Centre - €500
Total Amount Allocated - €18,000

BIKE GRANT SCHEME 2013
Name of Club / Organisation - Total Amount Allocated

Ardagh Community Council - €300
Ballina Family Resource Centre - €250
Smart Travel Castlebar - €350
Taugheen Community Council - €250
Muintir a Chorrain Teo - €400
Erris Beo - €300
Western Lakes Cycling Club - €350
Westport Covey Wheelers - €200
Kilmovee Family Resource Centre - €250
Ballina Lions Club - €200
Coiste Cultur Teanga & Forbartha
Thuar Mhic Eadaigh - €200
Castlebar Mens Shed - €200
Bike Fest Castlebar - €1,000

Total Amount Allocated - €4,250