World Open Water Swimming Champion Anne Marie Ward was one of the special guests at the launch of the next edition of Donegal Sports Partnership (DSP) Strategic Plan.
Held in the Finn Valley Sports Centre last night, Ward (pictured above), along with professional boxer Jason Quigley were part of the large gathering who came along to support the launch.
This is the organisations fourth strategic plan, highlighting participation in sport and education and training in sport as their twin objectives.
In his address, Chairman of Donegal Sports Partnership Colin McNulty welcomed everyone to the evening events which commenced with a practical showcase of some of the Sports Partnership’s current programmes including the Wheelchair Sports Programme, Men on the Move and Finn Harps FC Schools Programme. McNulty highlighted the impact of sport on communities and the need to continue to implement the key actions of the plan.
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Coordinator of Donegal Sports Partnership, Myles Sweeney highlighted the key aspects of the plan and the need to encourage partnership in sport in order to encourage greater efficiency and effectiveness in sports delivery especially in bringing sport to those most marginalised.
A video presentation showcased the impacts of some current programmes where participants outlined the life changing effects of being part of these sports programme had made to their lives.
Sport Ireland were represented by Participation and Governance Manager, Emma Jane Clarke who highlighted the support of her organisation to Donegal Sports Partnership in delivering on the key objectives of the new strategic plan.
She highlighted and commended the DSP for the ongoing commitment to current programmes being delivered under the Dormant Accounts funding including the Community Coaching Programme to support the unemployed, Community Sports Hubs and Sports Leadership Training.
Anne Marie Ward, World Open Water Swimming Champion spoke of the positive influence that Donegal Sports Partnership has been to sport in Donegal having seen at first hand a number of its initiatives. She mentioned the impact that sport had made to her life having only taken up open water swimming in her mid-thirties, highlighting that in her eyes sport is for everyone regardless of age having seen people in their seventies competing in the world open water swimming championships.
Copies of the Donegal Sports Partnership Strategic Plan are available by download through wwwactivedonegal.com
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