Active South Dublin plan launched
SOUTH Dublin County Council launched Active South Dublin, Sport & Physical Activity Plan 2023-2028 on Tuesday, November 21, in Tallaght Stadium.
Active South Dublin outlines the commitment of South Dublin County Council to support a broad range of initiatives that encourage the community in South Dublin County – of all ages, abilities and backgrounds – to stay physically active throughout their lives.
Active South Dublin encompasses various forms of physical activity, whether the emphasis is on fitness, team sports, walking, cycling, dancing, or participation in volunteering and coaching.
The Active South Dublin Plan outlines a broad range of actions under 11 different ambitions and four different themes – Active Communities and Clubs; Active Spaces and Places; Active Communication and Active Partnerships.
As expressed by the Chief Executive of South Dublin County Council, Colm Ward: “It builds on the Council’s work in promoting sport, physical activity and community wellness over the years through school, club and community supports and the provision of extensive infrastructure that includes pitches, leisure centres, community centres, cycleways, pathways and more.”
Active South Dublin staff members Darragh Conway, Tracey Kelly, Ellen Connolly & Thos Mc
Dermott at the launch in Tallaght Stadium
South Dublin County Council recognises that partnership is vital to the success of the Plan and states that “our ambition is that this Plan brings together partners across the community, voluntary and statutory sectors with residents, clubs, schools, leisure facility providers and others to develop a locally led approach.
Crucially this partnership also extends internally in the Council as input into the plan came from multiple departments, including Community, Housing, Roads, Environment, Planning and Tourism”.
Dr Una May, Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, which is a critical supporter of the initiative, said that the launch is “an important milestone for the development of local sports participation in South Dublin”.
South Dublin County Council is the first local authority in Ireland to develop a local county plan, one of the elements sought in the National Sports Policy 2018-27 In addition to the Plan’s initiatives, a significant new development involves the integration of South Dublin County Sports Partnership and the sports office of South Dublin County Council into a unified unit – Active South Dublin. Moving forward, all communications will undergo rebranding under the name Active South Dublin.
As stated by Thos Mc Dermott, formerly the Coordinator of the Sports Partnership and currently the Head of the Active South Dublin unit: “This decision makes perfect sense, as it simplifies the process for clubs, schools and community groups to identify the right contacts for communication and collaboration.”
To see the content of Active South Dublin 2023-2028 visit the Active South Dublin website HERE.
