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New! Physical Activity Plan for People with a Disability

Published: October 8, 2020


Waterford Sports Partnership is one of 29 Local Sports Partnerships in the country who have come together to roll-out a 4-week physical activity plan for people with a disability ahead of “Fit for All”.

Fit for All is a national initiative aimed at increasing awareness among people with disabilities, families/carers and disability services on the benefits of regular exercise, healthy lifestyles and opportunities to participate within the local community.

The resource has been developed by Sport Ireland and a working group of LSP Sports Inclusion Disability Officers (SIDOs) in conjunction with Cara. Ireland’s National Physical Activity plan recommends children are active for at least 60 minutes a day and adults for 30 minutes a day, the Activities for All resource is a fun and inclusive way of getting in your daily activity. This resource aims to improve people’s fitness, skills and balance as well as helping build confidence to regularly participate in sport and physical activity.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Waterford Sports Partnership has been working hard to ensure the people of Waterford remain physically active.

As part of a national network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships (LSP) Waterford Sports Partnership has adapted by using online resources, printed booklets and other innovative means, to ensure that everyone in their community has the opportunity to share in the enjoyment as well as the mental and physical health benefits of sport and physical activity.

Speaking at the release of the resource, John Treacy, Chief Executive Sport Ireland said, “Sport and physical activity is a key part of a healthy lifestyle and has so many benefits for both your physical and mental wellbeing. The Activities for All resource will help people of all abilities to build physical activity in to their daily routine. We are delighted to launch it as part of the CARA Fit for All initiative and with support and input from the Sports Inclusion Disability Officers of the Local Sports Partnership Network”.

Rosarie Kealy, Sports Co-ordinator, Waterford Sports Partnership, said ‘We welcome this really useful and practical resource which will support people with a disability in reaching their daily physical activity targets.  The resource was developed by Sports Inclusion Disability Officers across the Local Sports Partnership network and therefore brings with it a real understanding of the specific needs and how best to support people with a disability in being more active.  Physical activity is more important now than ever for the physical and mental health of everyone.’

This resource is fully adaptive for people of all abilities and ages. There is an activity planner included to help your track your progress throughout the 4-weeks. Simply print out the resource or display it on your phone and be active!

DOWNLOAD THE RESOURCE HERE: IN ENGLISH | AS GAEILGE

For more information on the resource please email Pauline Casey: pcasey@waterfordsportspartnership.ie

SportsAbility Podcast Series 2020

Published: September 16, 2020

SportsAbility Podcast Series 2020

Episode 1: ‘The Beginning’
Karen Power (Author of the Butterfly Barn Series) chats with Pauline Casey (WSP Sports Inclusion Disability Officer) about how the Waterford SportsAbility Forum started and the work they do. Pauline will tell us about the development of the Podcast Series and who will feature over the coming weeks.
LISTEN TO EPISODE 1 HERE

Episode 2: ‘A Parent’s Perspective’ Karen Power speaks with Mary Fitzsimons, parent of Hayley Fitzsimons. Mary shares her journey with us from the beginning, from discovering she was pregnant, discovering her child would be born with a disability that no one seemed to know much about, to how her daughter has achieved so much as an athlete and has her eyes set on even bigger goals.
LISTEN TO EPISODE 2 HERE

Episode 3: ‘Hell & Back’This episode features Kate Veale Irish Race Walking Champion and former World Champion who is an extremely gifted athlete from Dungarvan. Kate had a genuine chance of winning an Olympic medal when all of a sudden she disappeared, going completely off the radar. So what happened? Tune in to hear Kate’s story and where her sporting career is now.
LISTEN TO EPISODE 3 HERE
Friday 23rd October
Episode 4: ‘It’s just what I do’
This week Karen catches up with Chris Watts, a visually impaired tri athlete from Dublin, and his Dad Andy. Chris talks about how he discovered his love of triathlons and how the support of his parents have been crucial in his success.LISTEN TO LISTEN TO EPISODE 4 HERE

Episode 5: ‘Going for Gold’ In this episode Pauline is joined by Damien Vereker tandem cyclist with the Irish Paralympics Team. Damien talks to Pauline about how important the community of Waterford was in supporting him on his cycling journey. Damien tells us how his plans to get onto the Irish Paralympics Team have been disrupted due to COVID– 19 and about his goal to make it to the 2021 Paralympics Games.
LISTEN TO EPISODE 5 HERE

Episode 6: ‘The Fight of my Life’In the series finale Pauline is joined by Ian St. John to hear about his life thus far.  In an incredibly open and honest chat, Ian brings us through his journey from securing his dream job as a golf pro, to a devastating cancer diagnosis which has left him currently living with paralysis.
LISTEN TO EPISODE 6 HERE

Waterford SportsAbility Podcast Series

Published: August 27, 2020

Waterford SportsAbility Forum is delighted to announce their new podcast series which will be released on Friday 11th September. In the series Karen Power (Author of the Butterfly Barn Series) and Pauline Casey (Sports Inclusion Disability Officer – WSP) sit down with a selection of speakers to chat about all things related to Disability Sport and Physical Activity. We meet some local and international athletes, paralympians and parents to hear the role that sport and physical activity plays/played in their life, the opportunities they got from sport and the challenges they have faced or continue to face.

This podcast series is not to be missed and includes six episodes in total. The first podcast will be released on Friday 11th September followed by a new episode every fortnight. Check out the line-up below and links to the podcasts as they are released

If you require more information on the Podcast Series please contact Pauline Casey on 086 7837385 

Friday 11th September
Episode 1: ‘The Beginning’

Karen Power (Author of the Butterfly Barn Series) chats with Pauline Casey (WSP Sports Inclusion Disability Officer) about how the Waterford SportsAbility Forum started and the work they do. Pauline will tell us about the development of the Podcast Series and who will feature over the coming weeks.
LISTEN TO EPISODE 1 HERE

Friday 25th September
Episode 2: ‘A Parent’s Perspective’
Karen Power speaks with Mary Fitzsimons, parent of Hayley Fitzsimons. Mary shares her journey with us from the beginning, from discovering she was pregnant, discovering her child would be born with a disability that no one seemed to know much about, to how her daughter has achieved so much as an athlete and has her eyes set on even bigger goals.
LISTEN TO EPISODE 2 HERE

Friday 9th October
Episode 3: ‘Hell & Back’
This episode features Kate Veale Irish Race Walking Champion and former World Champion who is an extremely gifted athlete from Dungarvan. Kate had a genuine chance of winning an Olympic medal when all of a sudden she disappeared, going completely off the radar. So what happened? Tune in to hear Kate’s story and where her sporting career is now.
LISTEN TO EPISODE 3 HERE
Friday 23rd October
Episode 4: ‘It’s just what I do’
This week Karen catches up with Chris Watts, a visually impaired tri athlete from Dublin, and his Dad Andy. Chris talks about how he discovered his love of triathlons and how the support of his parents have been crucial in his success.LISTEN TO LISTEN TO EPISODE 4 HERE

Friday 6th November
Episode 5: ‘Going for Gold’
In this episode Pauline is joined by Damien Vereker tandem cyclist with the Irish Paralympics Team. Damien talks to Pauline about how important the community of Waterford was in supporting him on his cycling journey. Damien tells us how his plans to get onto the Irish Paralympics Team have been disrupted due to COVID– 19 and about his goal to make it to the 2021 Paralympics Games.
LISTEN TO EPISODE 5 HERE

Friday 20th November
Episode 6: ‘The Fight of my Life’
In the series finale Pauline is joined by Ian St. John to hear about his life thus far.  In an incredibly open and honest chat, Ian brings us through his journey from securing his dream job as a golf pro, to a devastating cancer diagnosis which has left him currently living with paralysis.
LISTEN TO EPISODE 6 HERE

Tune in and be inspired!

Return to Sport and Physical Activity – People with Disabilities

Published: July 29, 2020

For many people with a disability Covid-19 has been a very difficult time as they will not have had access to their local clubs, outdoor amenities, coaches, training facilities and equipment. As sport and physical activity facilities and opportunities continue to reopen, it is important to consider the safe return to sport for people
with disabilities.

While mitigating the risk of Covid-19 is more challenging for those who require assistance in their sport participation, steps should be taken including:

  • Consider DATE (distance, activity, time, environment)
  • Ensure daily symptom checks
  • Limit the number of participants
  • Limit the duration of the activity
  • Consider the contact (proximity, direct touch, equipment sharing) and minimise where possible
  • Train outdoors
  • Consider the use of PPE for assisting the participant (for example, if they require assistance getting onto a bike). It is accepted that the use of PPE during sporting activities is not generally advised, however its use is promoted outside of field of play, where guidelines suggest
  • Avoid slipstreams where possible

This guidance was prepared with the support of Cara, who conducted extensive consultation within their sector – Visit the CARA Website.

Sport Ireland Guidance – People with Disabilities

Cara Guidelines

Coming Soon! Waterford SportsAbility Podcast Series

Published: July 14, 2020


Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Waterford SportsAbility Forum has decided not to run the Waterford SportsAbility Weekend in 2020. The event was due to take place on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th September in WIT Arena. This decision was not made lightly however the welfare of our participants, staff and the general public is our number one priority.

Forum members were keen to offer an alternative to the weekend and after careful consideration we’re developing the new and exciting Waterford SportsAbility Podcast Series. The series will be launched in September with a wide range of guest speakers including Parents, Coaches and Para Athletes.

We will be releasing details of our guest speakers in the coming weeks . . . Watch this space!

If you require more information or have any questions please do not hesitate to contact
Pauline Casey on 086 7837385 or email pcasey@waterfordsportspartnership.ie

 

Cycle Right Disability Trainer Module

Published: March 5, 2020

This practical training introduces participants to the Learn to Cycle process, specifically for individuals with a disability who aim to cycle a two-wheel bicycle

Thursday 19th March
10.30am to 4pm
@ the Regional Sports Centre
Cork Road | Waterford

10 per person

This learning module is supported by resources at www.cycleright.ie  

LIMITED PLACES! BOOK HERE NOW
For more information please contact:
Peter Jones on
0761 10 2191 or pjones@waterfordsportspartnership.ie
or Pauline Casey on 0761 10 2682 or pcasey@waterfordsportspartnership.ie

 

 

 

FREE Para-Athletics Drop-in Sessions

Published: February 11, 2020

 


Para-Athletics comes to Dungarvan Sports Centre!

Free drop in session for children and adults with a disability. Come and try out athletics track and field disciplines tutored by trained Para Athletics coaches.

The open sessions are on @ Dungarvan Sports Centre from 1 to 2pm on:

Saturday 22nd February 
Saturday 29th February
Saturday 14th March
Saturday 28th March

What is Para Athletics?
Para Athletics is the sport of athletics practised by people with a disability as a parasport, the athletics disciples are mostly the same disciples available for able bodied people with the addition of wheelchair racing and the club throw.  The track and field events are adapted to each individual athlete.

To register or for more information please contact Pauline Casey on 076 110 2682 or email: pcasey@waterfordsportspartnership.ie

Waterford SportsAbility Weekend 2020 – SAVE THE DATE!

Published: February 3, 2020

Waterford Sports Partnership is delighted to be organising the Waterford SportsAbility Weekend on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th September 2020.
This event which is funded by the HSE is being run in association with WIT Arena.

This event is suitable for people with a disability of all ages, their families, parents, teachers, sports coaches, youth club leaders and anyone interested in sport.

Watch this Space – More details coming soon!

For more information on this event please contact Pauline Casey on 0761 10 2682 or email pcasey@waterfordsportspartnership.ie.

NEW! Yoga for Children with Autism

Published: December 16, 2019


SIX WEEK YOGA PROGRAMME

for Children aged 7-16 with High to Moderate Functioning Autism.

Starting Thursday 16th January from 5.30 to 6.30pm

@ Dungarvan Sports Centre (upstairs room)
€40 per person
BOOKING ESSENTIAL | LIMITED PLACES
PLEASE NOTE: Parents must remain onsite for the duration of the programme.

BOOK HERE NOW! 
For more information please contact Rachel Sinnott on 0761 10 2199 or rsinnott@waterfordsportspartnership.ie

THIS PROGRAMME WAS CANCELLED DUE TO LOW NUMBERS

 

 

New! Disability Multi Sport Programme

Published: October 24, 2019


DISABILITY MULTI-SPORT PROGRAMME

For children aged 8-16 years old with mild to moderate disabilities.
FOUR WEEK PROGRAMME
Starting Tuesday 12th November 6 to 7pm @ Dungarvan Sports Centre
€20 per person

PLEASE NOTE:
Parents must remain onsite for the duration of the programme.
NEW! Accessible Toilet Onsite

REGISTER HERE NOW!
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Rachel Sinnott on 0761 10 2199 or rsinnott@waterfordsportspartnership.ie

Waterford Sports Partnership

Waterford Sports Partnership (WSP) was established in 2002 by Sport Ireland (formerly the Irish Sports Council) as part of the Local Sports Partnership initiative with the aim of increasing participation in sport and physical activity in County Waterford.

Sport Ireland

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Sport Ireland
Sport Ireland plans, leads and co-ordinates the sustainable development of competitive and recreational sport in Ireland.

LSP Contact Finder
Find contact details for other Local Sports Partnerships.

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Company Info

Waterford Sports Partnership Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG)
CRO Number: 378713

Registered Office –
Civic Offices
Dungarvan
Co. Waterford
Ireland

Contact Details

County Office:
Civic Offices
Dungarvan
Co. Waterford
Tel: 058 21194

City Office:
Regional Sports Centre
Cork Road
Waterford

Email: info@waterfordsportspartnership.ie
Website By: Déise Design