Tag Archives: Clare Sports Partnership

NEW YOUNG GAA All-Stars will show they are a match for the best when they showcase their skills on the biggest day in the Clare football calendar. Two groups of children with additional needs from Corofin and Éire Óg will demonstrate what skills they have learned and the fun they derive from participating in Gaelic Games before the Clare senior football decider in Cusack Park this Sunday. This initiative was the brainchild of Adrian Beakey from Corofin All-Stars who asked Clare sports inclusion disability officer, James Murrihy last May, if he could organise a slot for their group to play in Cusack Park before one of the county finals. While most teams have to win a championship in their county grounds before they can even dream of playing in Croke Park, Corofin All-Stars played in the GAA’s national hallowed stadium off Jones’ Road on August 22 last before their Cusack Park debut. Having secured a new kit of Corofin jerseys, …

Now in its second year, Clare Sports Partnership (CSP) in conjunction with Clare GAA, have had a very successful camp around the provision of inclusive activities for children with autism who may struggle to attend a mainstream Cúl Camp. The collaboration of many different organisations including Ennis Voices for Autism (EVA), The Clare Crusaders and CÉIS plays an imperative role in supporting the running of the camp. Building on the success of last year’s camp, Clare Sports Partnership aimed to increase the offering of inclusive camps for children with disabilities this year. This first of the inclusive camps took place in conjunction with Derg AC and the final camp in conjunction with Bridge Utd takes place at the end of the month. “We had 60 children take part in this camp and it is important to note that the camp would not happen without the 50 amazing coaches and volunteers who put so much time and effort in to making …

A DRESSING room in Cusack Park will be turned into an Autism-friendly sensory room to help 60 children with additional needs enjoy a Clare GAA Cúl Summer Camp this week. Clare GAA Autism Activity Cúl Camp catering for children on the ASD spectrum ranging in age from six to 13 takes places in Cusack Park from 10am to 12 noon from August 2 to 4. Children with Autism and those with additional needs can sometimes become overwhelmed in an environment where there is a large group of people or if they are sensitive to noise. Providing sensory activities before the start of the inaugural two-hour camp last year proved to be very beneficial. The organisers of the second Clare GAA Summer Camp are anxious to build on the lessons from last year’s successful venture to ensure everything is done to make children with additional needs comfortable in a new group. Thirty children between the age of five and 16 who …

The Irish Red Cross Clare, Lough Grainey Nature Sanctuary and the Clare Local Sports Partnership CLG have been selected among 35 national finalists in the National Lottery Good Causes Awards. The awards honour the inspiring work and achievements of thousands of projects, clubs and individuals from all over Ireland who, with the help of National Lottery Good Causes funding, have had an extraordinary impact on their local communities. Nearly 30 cent in every €1 spent on National Lottery games goes back to Good Causes all over the country. With the support of a National Lottery HSE Grant, the Irish Red Cross Clare purchased a new community support vehicle which provides free transport to the people of Clare for medical appointments, travelling from all corners of Clare to hospitals all over Ireland. More recently, the Irish Red Cross Clare have also been supporting the Clare Immigrant Support Centre with Ukrainian Refugees. Lough Grainey Nature Sanctuary, is a not-for-profit community organisation that …

CLARE Sports Partnership has been nominated for an award at the Irish Sport Industry Awards. The awards ceremony takes place this Tuesday at the Westin Hotel in Dublin and the Banner team is in the running for the Local Sports Partnership of the Year award. Mary O’Connor, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport said, “We are delighted to mark the return of the Irish Sport Industry Awards, in association with Clubforce. Sport is an integral part of the country’s social and economic fabric. “The quality and large number of the entries received this year are testament to this. We are really looking forward to bringing together key stakeholders in the sports sector for this important evening of recognition of the value of sport to the Irish economy. “I would like to say a big thank you to the national governing bodies, local sports partnerships and those in the sports sector that submitted entries this year. “It was imperative for …

Following the GAA Autism Summer Camp, sports inclusion disability officer, James Murrihy recalled the Clare Sports Partnership (CSP) wanted to build on the example set by Tulla and Derg AC by using this template for a similar programme in Corofin GAA club. What followed was the first Corofin All Stars programme for children with additional needs “An inclusive programme will only work if there is a drive and participation from volunteers within the club,” Murrihy pointed out. “It is also important to set up a sustainability plan with the help of the CSP to ensure it doesn’t end after six weeks. CSP can provide training and education for volunteers as well as advising them about grants for equipment.” Read Dan Danaher’s full report on the project here

THE organisers of the first Corofin All Stars programme for children with additional needs are thrilled with the success of their innovative pilot project, writes Dan Danaher. In fact, the success of the first dedicated programme for children with special needs in a Clare GAA club exceeded the expectations of Eimer Ni Riain, Crystel Robbins Rynne and Adrian Beakey. On Sunday, some of the Intermediate footballers and coaches dropped into the start of a new programme of training children in GAA skills. Ms Ni Riain, who has 30 years experience as an occupational therapist, doesn’t have any child involved in the sessions. The practice education co-ordinator on the occupational programme in the University of Limerick saw there was a gap for children with special needs who weren’t participating in sporting activities. “The programme helps children with special needs to engage with other children in a fun and safe way that is different to going to therapy and school. “In addition …

ONE of Ireland’s foremost practitioners in the field of psychology will be among the guest speakers during Mental Health Week in Ennis this month. Dr Tony Bates, who founded Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health, will be the keynote speaker at one of a number of events in the county town next month. Ennis Mental Health Association has organised a varied programme of events around the town, where it aims to promote and educate on positive mental health and wellness. This year’s Mental Health Week takes place from October 7 to 13. “In bringing you this year’s programme, EMHA is truly delighted to work with such renowned experts in their respective fields,” said a spokesperson for the group. Dr Bates’ appearance is at the final event of the week, on Wednesday, October 13 in the Temple Gate Hotel at 7pm. Dr Bates was head of psychology for 30 years in St James’ hospital, Dublin and established and directed …