It was another busy summer for Laois Sports Partnership (LSP) as the summer camp schedule ramped up once again.
In 2023, LSP successfully delivered and supported 11 summer camps, seven of which were disability inclusion camps.
During the course of the summer, over 300 children participaed in a variety of summer camps:
- Inclusive Basketball Camp
- Corrective Gymnastics
- Learn to Cycle
- FAI Inclusive Soccer Summer Camp
- Portlaoise GAA Inclusive CUL Camp
- The GAA Inclusive CUL Camp
- Survival Skills
- Team Building Camp with NLN Portlaoise
- Laois Down Syndrome Summer Camp.
These camps were successfully delivered through the partnership work of local agencies and the LSP, the result of this work is opportunities for all to be physically active and participate in sport in Laois.
A further 111 children took part in July provision camps in schools which were supported by LSP through learn to cycle camps, corrective gymnastics, and athletics.
Disability and Inclusion Programmes
Vision Impaired Athletics Programme
In July, an eight-week athletics programme for visually impaired athletes began through the partnership of Vision Sports Ireland, Laois LSP and Portlaoise Athletics Club.
In the past seven weeks, this programme has welcomed 23 athletes (aged from 5–66) each week to Portlaoise College’s athletics track.
In this time, athletes have taken part in javelin, shot putt, and track events (100m and 200m).
Following this training programme, a number of the athletes will progress to a final event, which will take place at SETU Carlow on September 16.
Up to 50 athletes from around the country will meet to compete.
Visually Impaired Athletes will be joined by athletes from the Irish Wheelchair Association at the event in Carlow.
“Support from volunteers has been phenomenal, without their commitment and support these past 7 weeks, none of this would have been possible,” Head Coach, Treacy Percy said.
“A big thank you to those volunteers who turned up each week and supported our athletes. We’re looking forward to a fantastic event in Carlow this month.”
Tandem Cycling for Visually Impaired
Earlier in the summer, great fun was had during a four-week inclusion cycle programme in Portlaoise, for participants who have visual impairments.
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 requires teamwork between 2 individuals.
Upcoming Programmes
Vision Impaired Soccer
The next come and try event for junior vision impaired football will take place at Portlaoise A.F.C. on September 10, from 1pm to 3pm.
This is open for boys and girls aged 5-17 years of age.
To register for this come and try event, visit www.visionsports.ie.
Vision Impaired Swimming
Vision Impaired swimming lessons returning to Portlaoise this September for children aged 5-17 years.
Starting Sunday, September 10, at Laois Leisure Portlaoise, from 4:30 – 5:30pm.
Cost is €35 for 6 weeks. Visit www.visionsports.ie to register.
European Week of Sport 2023
European Week of Sport 2023 will take place from September 23 to 30, and aims to promote sport and physical activity in countries across Europe.
The week is for everyone, regardless of age, background, or fitness level.
With a focus on grassroots initiatives, the aim is to inspire Europeans to #BeActive on a regular basis and create opportunities in peoples’ everyday lives to exercise more.
Follow Laois LSP on social media for more information on events and programmes taking place for European Week of Sport.
Laois Connects
Laois Connects, taking place from October 9 o 15, is a positive mental health awareness initiative led by Laois County Council.
Laois Sports Partnership will be supporting the initiative with a number of physical activity programmes, workshops, and talks.
For more information follow us on social media or visit our website, www.laoissports.ie.
Menowell
Women aged 30 and over in Laois are invited to join Menowell LSP’s FREE six-week online exercise, nutrition, and health education programme.
The programme is delivered by the Edufit team of experts and is funded by Laois Sports Partnership, Laois Connects 2023 and Healthy Ireland Laois making it freely available to participants.
Visit www.edufit.ie to register now.
Rás Na mBan
Rás na mBan was established in 2006 and is Ireland’s only women’s international stage race.
In 2022, 25 teams of five riders, representing 16 different nations, took to the start in Kilkenny for an event that has become established as one of the toughest and friendliest autumn stage races on the calendar.
The 2023 edition of the race is the 17th under the title of Rás na mBan and the 36th annual international stage race for women in Ireland.
In its current format it runs for five days and six stages totalling over 400km of racing action.
Stage 3 will take place in County Laois, beginning in Portlaoise
and finishing in Mountrath.
The best Irish riders based at home and abroad will once again compete with riders from the rest of Europe and beyond.
Make sure to show your support when the cyclists pass by you!
To view the full route details for Laois, visit www.rasnamban.com.
SEE ALSO – Laois to return to a three-seater constituency as Dáil set to increase to 174 TDs
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