Laois Sports Partnership (LSP) received €855,516 in funding for sport in 2024, with almost 10,000 participants involved across a total of five Community Sports Hubs.
LSP opened their fifth Community Sports Hub, launched for people with visual impairment and physical disabilities with 75 programmes on offer.
It joins the other four Sports Hubs in the county – Mountrath Health and Fitness Academy, Abbeyleix Vitality Hub, Rathdowney Errill Activity Hub and SVT Activity Hub.
2025 has already produced a huge amount of activities through each of the five hubs, including:
Laois Sports Partnership Virtual Couch to 5K
LSP are running a free six-week Virtual Couch to 5k which you can register for here.
Participants will be supported by Laois Sports Partnership throughout their journey with a handbook, podcast and check-in support.
Learn to Cycle with a Disability
This course educates participants with the skills and knowledge to provide Cycle Right training in schools and communities nationwide.
Courses are delivered and facilitated by Cycling Ireland. Call 057-8671248 during office hours or email cslattery@laoissports.ie for more information.
Schools Badminton Festival
LSP and Badminton Ireland facilitated a six-week badminton training course, ‘Shuttle Time’ with ten primary schools taking part.
This culminated in a ‘Badminton Festival’ with 125 pupils from four schools at Vicarstown Community Hall.
Badminton Ireland provided the schools with training for teachers and the equipment needed to introduce the Shuttle Time programme.
Transition-Year Activity Day with Midlands Escape, Scoil Chríost Ri
As part of the HER Moves Programme, LSP and Midlands Escape delivered an Activity Day for the TY students at Scoil Chríost Rí.
The group was broken up into 14 teams of seven students and each group completed a series of eight different activities.
Upcoming Safeguarding Courses
LSP are hosting a series of Safeguarding Courses in child welfare and protection, basic awareness and designated Liaison Person.
Please call 057-8671248 during office hours or email info@laoissports.ie for more information.
Couch to 5km and Fit4Life
LSP are supporting several local Couch to 5km and Fit4Life programmes at St Abban’s AC, Portlaoise AC, St Michael’s AC, as well as events in Portarlington, Graiguecullen and Ballyfin.
Spin Classes for Women with Laois Cycling Club
This programme provided an indoor cycling training opportunity for women, giving the participants the opportunity to build up their cycling fitness during the winter season, as part of a group.
The programme provided an opportunity for women to participate in spin classes with other women, and created a pathway link into the cycling clubs in Laois.
Empowerment Day at Portlaoise College
Student Empowerment Day for the fifth-year students of Portlaoise College empowered students through an action-packed day of activities ranging from study skills workshops, mindfulness to college awareness.
Our team of LSP sports tutors facilitated the morning activity session using a series of fun games and challenges to promote teamwork, problem solving, communication, inclusion and collaboration.
Fun Group Exercise Programme for Older Adults
LSP hosted a Fun Group Exercise Programme for Older Adults, a social programme to improve strength flexibility and balance, which are key to preventing falls in older adults.
Activities include chair exercise to music and activator poles with Arthritis Ireland Laois Branch, Healthy Ireland, and Wolfe Tone Court Mountmellick, where the classes took place.
Ógra Live Well Expo
Ógra Live Well Expo was hosted by Laois Volunteer Centre in conjunction with Mountmellick Community School as part of Laois County Council’s Laois Connects programme.
The event was an opportunity to meet and connect with young people attending primary and post primary schools, as well network with a range of other local partner agencies who provide valuable supports and services in the community.
The focus of the day was to support the mental health and well-being of young people with activities ranging from guest speakers, competitions, games and fun physical activities such as Zumba dancing and aerobics.
Sport 4 Empowerment – Celebrating Wellness and Collaboration
As part of the Laois Offaly Children and Young People’s Services Committee (CYPSC) LSP supported a Wellness Day for front-line support staff working with families and young people in our community.
Focussing on connection and self-care, the event laid the foundation for continued collaboration between agencies in the year ahead through our Sport 4 Empowerment Programme and the wider CYPSC network.
SEE ALSO – Remembering the late Bernadette McRedmond – Laois’s first Special Olympic medalist
