Latest Laois News: Laois Sports Partnership June Update

Latest News from Laois Sports Partnership

AWARD WINNERS

To kick start the month we were delighted to be joined by many of our friends from across the county as we held a BBQ to celebrate our recently attained LSP of the year award.While Laois Sports Partnership name is on the award, it is an award for the county and people of Laois. Without the partner agencies, clubs, volunteers, and our participants, this would not be possible. Thanks to everyone for coming and we look forward to continuing our work through the county.

BASKETBALL

We had a brilliant couple of days in St. Mary’s Hall as we welcomed the return of our first Primary’s Schools Basketball Blitz since Covid. We saw 100’s of young basketballers pass through the door during the week who kept us well entertained with some fantastic games of basketball.

REHAB CARE SPORTS DAY

Rehab Care held their Sports Day this month, they began the morning with a game of football at Laois Leisure, followed by a dance class with Moez before finishing their activities with a basketball session in St. Mary’s Hall.

ADDICTION WEEK

As part of Addiction Week in the Midlands Prison, they have been running a number of activities this week to promote the benefits of sport and physical activity. One of the activities arranged was an jn house soccer tournament. Tonight, St. Patrick’s Boys from Graiguecullen visited the Prison to play the winners. It was a positive and educational experience for both teams. The Prisoners and Carlow team delivered a competitive game with some impressive football being played. It is a great example of integrating communities, using sport as the key component.

CYCLING

Recently Laois Sports Partnership have been busy on our bikes, from young to old and experience to beginners, we have had a blast getting people out for a bike ride. We saw race bikes, balance bikes and even took our tandems out during the past month.

Cycle Bus

Our recent cycle bus supported by Garda Aran Grehan and Garda Ronan Maher. The route started from the church car park in Portlaoise, then through the town park before arriving at the industrial park. Thanks to our tutors and the Gardai for safely guiding local students to school by bicycle. Active travel is not only great for our bodies but also for the environment and our mental health.

Why not get on your bike and take it to work next week?

Vision Impaired Tandem Cycling 

Great fun was had the past few weeks as part of our inclusion cycle programme in  Portlaoise, which had participants with vision impairments take part. Tandem bikes are a brilliant way of including cyclists of all abilities to get out cycling with the assistance of an experienced cyclist. There is great social interaction when using tandem bikes and required teamwork between 2 individuals. 

Couch to 50K

Laois Cycling Club recently completed their Couch to 50km Cycling programme, following 8 weeks of training in a build up to the 50km distance, a finale cycle was hosted from Race Right Cycles in Portlaoise. The purpose of this programme was to promote cycling in Laois and act as an introduction pathway to Laois cycle club. This initiative gives the participants the opportunity to build up their cycling experience and confidence of cycling out on the as part of a group.

Laois Sports Partnership supported the programme, which consisted of the group meeting every Wednesday evening for the 8 weeks a completing a cycling which the distance progressively throughout the programme.  There was a core group of 16-22 dedicated participants each week, who completed the programme across the 8 weeks, where the kilometres steadily increased to prepare them for the 50K cycle event at the end of the 8 weeks. 

The finale way a great success for all involved, the participants had reached a significant milestone in their cycling journey and made amazing progress during the course of their training programme. Laois Sport partnership distributed goodie bags  to the participants upon their return and Laois Cycling Club supplied refreshments and presented the participants with their completion plaques.

One of the participants said “I found the increase in the distance each week brilliant. It was challenging but is always enjoyable. The social aspect was fantastic, and I really enjoyed using the backroads as part of the programme. I have found the programme was very motivating, as now completing 2-3 cycles per week. The whole programme has been excellent.”

KAYAKING

Laois Kayaking Inclusion Camp

Laois Kayaking held a 3-day inclusion camp Durrow.

Laois Sports Partnership Kayaking Programmes

We made the most of the fantastic weather and local amenities this past month. We spent a full week along the canal in Vicarstown with kayaking instructor, Matt McGrath from Paddleworks Ireland. During the course of the week, we had participants of all ages and abilities join us on the canal in kayaks, canoes and paddle boards. Thanks to the Heath National School, Rath National School, Holy Family Autism Unit, The NLN Portlaoise and a number Active Retirement groups for joining us for a brilliant week on the water.

WALKS

Laois Sports Partnership have held a number of walks at various locations throughout the county recently, from Wellness walks to Activator Pole Gatherings. We are always looking for new people to join us. Why not take a look at some of our upcoming walks and come along. The use of Activator Poles has become increasingly popular due to it’s number of benefits including improves flexibility and supportive function. We have 2 upcoming walks, please see details below:

𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐥

– 13th of July

– 11am from Parish Centre

– Contact Caroline in advance: 0868852503

𝐅𝐢𝐭𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐆𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧

– Vicarstown Inn

– Thursday 20th July

– 11am -1:30pm

– Contact Catriona in advance: cslattery@laoissports.ie

Ros Na mBan Launch 

Ras na mBan – International Womens Cycle Race – takes place from the 6th to the 10th September. Stage 3 (102 kilometers) takes place in Laois on Friday 8th September, after a ceremonial start at Aras An Chontae the race will pass through – Stradbally – Emo – Mountmellick – Clonaslee – The Cut – Mountrath – Aghaboe – Ballacolla – Abbeyleix – finishing in Mountrath at approximately 2pm. Riders from all over Europe, the USA, Oceania, Africa and Asia as well as the best of Ireland’s international and locally-based racers will descend on Laois for the event which will showcase the beauty and landscape of our county.
You are invited to the official launch of the Laois Stage on Wednesday 12th July in Bloom HQ Mountrath at 7.30pm.

HER OUTDOORS

HER Outdoors Week will be back in 2023 from August 14th – 20th.

HER Outdoors week aims to celebrate and encourage more females to get out and enjoy the benefits of being in the outdoors while bringing visibility to the opportunities for females to get involved in outdoor physical activity.

This week is all about providing more opportunities for ALL females to escape to the outdoors and try something new. For such a tiny island, there are so many incredible outdoor activities on offer, and this should be celebrated to the fullest!

See a list of our upcoming programmes below:

CAMPS

Inclusive Camps

This summer Laois Sports Partnership will be supporting the very popular Inclusive Summer Camps across a number of sports including Basketball, Inclusive GAA Cul Camps, FAI Inclusive Soccer Camps and corrective gymnastics. For more information, visit our website, follow us on social media or call, 057 867 1248.

COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY AWARDS

Laois Sports Partnership are delighted to be sponsoring a category of this years Community and Voluntary Awards. With so many fantastic organisations deserving of nominations, we are proud to be sponsoring the Sport Award.

Make sure to visit the Laois Count Council website to make your submissions before the closing date at 4pm on 14th July 2023. For further assistance and queries, please contact (057) 86 64078 or email awards@laoiscoco.ie