Latest Laois Sport: Laois Sports Partnership April Update
A look back at an April full of Laois Sports Partnership programmes
Another busy and fun filled month for Laois Sports Partnership, take a look below at some of the action from the past month, along with some upcoming programmes and courses to look forward to.
Irish Homeless Street Leagues
In April, the Laois Irish Street League Finals concluded the football programme. The programme was delivered in 4 locations throughout 4 locations in Laois during March and April, with the Finals being held in Portlaoise. There was some fantastic football on display throughout the programme, Sarah Hennessey from Rathdowney was the pick of the mix, winning the player of the tournament.
Following the Laois tournament, a number of teams progressed to the National Finals in Dublin
The teams had a great day out as they took a trip to Dublin to play against other teams from around the country. The teams proved to be competitive in all their games and represented the County of Laois very well. To top off a fantastic day, Ireland Senior Mens Manager Stephen Kenny was in attendance to show his support for the programme.
Thanks to Clare Conlon (FAI Development Officer Laois), Laois Partnership and an Garda Siochana for your hard work and support to deliver this programme.
Laochra Laois Special Olympics
Well done to both Mens and Women’s Laochra Laois Special Olympics Teams who brilliantly received silver medals at last week’s floorball event in Kilkenny earlier this month!
Mountain Skills Training
At the end of March a number of our programme tutors took part in Mountain Skills Training with Fergal Hill from Slieve Bloom Adventures. Judith, Lee, Charlie and Mary met in Bloom HQ, Mountrath for a briefing before heading out to the Slieve Bloom Mountains. During the training, they learned about Navigation, Hazards, Emergency Procedures and more.
Safeguarding with Laois Leisure
Laois Leisure staff participating in Safeguarding 1 with Sport Ireland tutor Pat Power this month.
For more information on our upcoming Safeguarding courses search Laois Sports Partnership on Eventbrite to book a place. If you wish to arrange a Safeguarding course for a large group in your club, send your expression of interest to info@laoissports.ie
Our next Safeguarding 1 course is being delivered online via Zoom on the 23rd of May.
Learn to Cycle Easter Camp
Yet again the very popular Learn to Cycle Camp proved to be a great success. We had 30 young cyclists join us for 3 days over the Easter Break. They were a fantastic bunch and all made great progress with the use of balance bikes and a bit of encouragement. It is extremely enjoyable to support young people with a new skill and the feedback was brilliant.
We will have another Learn to Cycle Camp taking place in the Summer, keep an eye on our social media for more information.
Defib Training in Collaboration with Laois Leisure
Laois Sports Partnership teamed up with Laois Leisure these past couple months, with the LSP providing funding for Laois Leisure to deliver free / hugely subsidised programmes and training courses for the people of Laois. One of the courses included was certified AED and CPR training for members of clubs and sporting organisations in the County. Well done to all who have completed the course so far, in total we will see 100 people complete the course in the coming weeks.
Living Well Expo Event
Laois Sports Partnership were delighted to attend the Living Well Expo Event earlier this month. The event was hosted by Portlaoise college and organised by Laois Age Friendly and Healthy Ireland Laois. The aim of the event was to showcase all that Laois has to offer in terms of living well. It was great to see such a variety of opportunities for people in Laois to choose from.
Prime Time of Life is Back
Join our FREE 12-week exercise and health education programme for adults, delivered by the excellent EduFIT Team.
This programme will be taking place at 3 locations:
1. Online
2. Portarlington
3. Portlaoise
The Prime Time of Life Programme is funded by Laois Sports Partnership, Sport Ireland and Slaintecare. The Programme starts Thursday the 4th of May. Visit www.edufit.ie to register now.
Couch to 50km Cycling Programme
The Couch to 50km Cycling programme returned in April. The 9 week programme supports and guides participants to be able to cycle 50km for the programme finale. From speaking to past participants, the benefits are not only physical, but many of the participants have also praised the Laois Cycling Club for the social element associated with the programme and how good getting out for a cycle can be for your mental health.
We caught up with a 2022 Couch to 50km participant Owen Feeney 1-year on from the programme to speak about his experience. Owen started off the Couch to 50km programme to get back to physical activity after suffering from long covid. He said “I found the programme brilliant; everyone was very welcoming, full of info tips. There were loads of help from start to finish, it was brilliant from start to finish”. Owen now is a club member of Laois Cycling Club, he cycles every week, covering a range of short, medium, and long distances.
Great to see programmes having a positive long term impact on participants. Participants can stiff register for the programme, contact laoiscc@gmail.com for more info.
Junior parkrun number 200 for Vicarstown
On Sunday the 23rd of April, Vicarstown parkrun reached its 200th parkrun. A fantastic achievement for everyone involved. Without the commitment and dedication of local volunteers, this landmark could simply not be achieved. Congratulations to everyone who has been a part of the journey so far as a volunteer or participant. We hope to see the Vicarstown junior parkrun continue to grow and reach another 200 hundred. This was the largest junior parkrun so far with 78 children participating.
It was a great day of activity at Vicarstown canal, in addition to the Vicarstown junior parkrun, the Laois Novice Road Race Championship also took place. Fantastic representation from the ladies in Portlaoise A.C. and Oughaval AC partaking in the road race.
Bealtaine Festival 2023
Loads of activity taking place throughout the county this month for the 2023 Bealtaine Festival. For more information on any of the following activities, contact Catriona on 086 793 2177 / cslattery@laoissports.ie.
