Clare’s GAA, Soccer and Rugby facilities could soon have to open their doors to minority sports under ambitious new proposals from the local authority.
Clare County Council has launched the draft framework of a new five-year sports plan which will aim to improve physical activity in disadvantaged areas and across all socio-economic backgrounds.
A county wide focus group of 587 residents were surveyed in preparation for the plan and revealed some startling findings.
Among them was that 40% identified a lack of local facilities as a barrier to participating in sports and exercise 20% said it was too expensive ,while over 80% of respondents said local cycling routes were unsafe.
The plan has ambitious aims though, with 9 strategic priorities including tackling the drop off rate of teenage girls, keeping the ageing population active, increasing participation in disadvantaged areas and growing minority sports.
Clare County Council Integration Support Co-Ordinator Brendan Boyce says a collaborative approach between all sporting bodies will be needed.
This will be done in part by maximising the use of local facilities as multi-sport hubs, through sharing arrangements which could see GAA, soccer and rugby pitches open to other codes to meet the needs of a growing and diverse population.
Clare County Board currently has 31 licence agreements at it’s Centre of Excellence in Caherlohan alone, which opens to door to Camogie, Ladies Football, Soccer, Cross Country and even Arts events.
Chief Operating Officer of Clare GAA Deirdre Murphy says they’re keen to play a part in what’s a massive plan for the county.
The plan will also seek to secure increased investment in new and old indoor and outdoor sports and recreation facilities and optimise spaces such as community centres, school halls and leisure centres where more activity could take place.
The Friends Eleven Cricket Club in Ennis currently has 50 members and trains on GAA and soccer fields at John O’Sullivan Park Lees Road.
Club member Jidden Johnson contends the facility is unsuitable for their needs and that they’re in need of a dedicated space for their rapidly growing game.
The draft strategy will be open to public consultation from November 1st where members of the public will have one month to put forward their views and ideas.
Among the key elements of the plan is to increase public participation in non-sporting physical activity and explore the potential to develop connections to primary care and access for those with disabilities.
20% of respondents to the initial survey have called for improvements to public transport, while 48% cited work commitments as obstacles to exercise.
Director of Research and Innovation at Sport Ireland Benny Cullen says that improvements to all public services, infrastructure and culture shifts will be vital.
