Sport For Young People

Background

Buntús Play and Buntús Multi Sport are two programmes developed to support teachers and other adults in introducing young people to sport and helping to develop their interests. Buntús Play and Buntús Multi Sport will initially be delivered by teachers in schools in support of the Physical Education curriculum.
The three key components of the programme - training, resource cards and equipment - are designed to provide easy to understand, and accessible support to give children a fun, but high quality, introduction to sport.

The Buntús programme will be nationally co-ordinated and locally delivered and seeks to:

• Raise the profile of physical education and sport.
• Improve in-service training opportunities for teachers.
• Assist Governing Bodies of Sport to develop and deliver appropriate support for teachers.
• Provide enjoyable and meaningful activity for children. § Support delivery of the National Curriculum.

The Irish Sports Council recognises the major role that sport can play in the lives of young people. It is important that an enjoyable multi-sport and non-competitive model is used to introduce our children to sport that will complement and enhance both our school and community sport programmes.

Most children are introduced to sport in their homes or their surrounding community. It is essential that there are locally driven initiatives available to them through school and within their local environment if they are to see sport as central to their overall development and as a lifelong physical and social tool.

The planning for, the delivery of the Buntús programme must reflect opportunities for young people to take part, regardless of their ability, gender, ethnicity or background. The Irish Sports Council's responsibility is to ensure that opportunities are accessible, that publicity / promotion reflects open access and that teachers are supported to implement this.

Schools and teachers who have undergone a programme of Buntús training can only access equipment and resources cards. This training is a critical part of the programme and its quality is what affects their success.

The Local Sports Partnerships are set to develop and implement this initiative at ground level and provide a solid structure for implementation. We would encourage all schools to use this programme to help deliver their PE curriculum.

Following on from the successful buntús generic programmes there is now 1) Buntús Soccer, 2) Buntús Badminton, 3) Buntús Basketball and 4) Buntús Golf.

Please check participating schools listing to view the schools enrolled in the programmes.

1) Buntús Soccer

Following the enormous success of the delivery of our Generic Buntús programme to primary schools in Laois we offered the next strand of the programme.
 
It is an F.A.I. Buntús, which is similar to the Generic in so far as schools receive free tuition and equipment which contains instruction cards, F.A.I. rain jackets for each teacher completing the course, plastic 5 a side goalposts & nets, 32 bibs, 2 sets of cones, 22 footballs, pump, whistle, ball bag and certificates. The programme is delivered by F.A.I. tutors in the school to the staff during school time and takes around 3 hours to complete. The total cost for this programme would be over €700 but is offered free to schools.

2) Buntús Badminton

Laois Sports Partnership, in partnership with Badminton Ireland, have recently begun the roll out in Laois of Buntús Badminton (a sports specific element of the broader Buntús programme from the Irish Sports Council). 17 primary schools will be initially offered the opportunity to participate on the badminton programme.

Each school has nominated a class who will receive a 4 hour training session outlining the basic rules of the game. The school also receives 3 places on a BUI Teacher-Training Day. In addition, Badminton Ireland will also provide a Buntús pack to all participating schools to include: 10 rackets, 1doz plastic shuttles, 1 net, 1 Fun & Games for Badminton Activity Pack and 1 sport holdall.

For your information the following schools are part of the first wave of the programme which is planned to expand across the county over the next few years.

Ardough N.S.   
Clonaghadoo N.S.   
Castletown Primary School   
Clonenagh N.S., Mountrath   
Rathdowney C.O.I. N.S.   
Killadooley N.S.   
Presentation Convent Primary School, Portarlington   
St. Patrick's Boys N.S., Portarlington   
Gaelscoil an tSlí Dála, Ballaghmore   
Newtown N.S.   
St. Francis School, Portlaoise   
Rosenallis N.S.   
St. Paul's National School, Mountmellick   
Scoil Mhuire Abbeyleix   
Arles N.S.   
Timahoe N.S.   
Wolfhill N.S.   
St. Abban's N.S. Killeen   

3) Buntús Basketball

Laois Sports Partnership, in partnership with Basketball Ireland, have recently begun the roll out in Laois of Buntús Basketball (a sports specific element of the broader Buntús programme from the Irish Sports Council). 11 primary schools will be initially offered the opportunity to participate on the basketball programme.

Teachers from the schools will receive a 2 hour training session outlining the basic rules of the game and some easy games to play. In addition to the training session Basketball Ireland will also provide a Buntús pack to all participating schools to include:
·    10 junior basketballs (6 size 5 balls and 4 size 6 balls)
·    An instructional coaching booklet with tips and drills outlined for teachers
·    Instructional posters for teachers to hang on walls in their schools

For your information the following schools are part of the first wave of the programme which is planned to expand across the county over the next few years.

Ardough National School   
Clonaghadoo N.S.   
Stradbally Boys N.S.   
Rosenallis National School   
Killadooley National School   
St. Patrick's Boys National School, Portarlington   
Scoil Mhuire, Abbeyleix   
Clough National School   
Rath National School   
Wolfhill National School   
Castlecuffe National School   

4) Buntús Golf

Laois Sports Partnership and Junior Golf Ireland are commencing the roll out of the Buntús golf programme. The programme aims to give a fun introduction to the game of golf using modified games and activities suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. It will initially be offered to 21 schools in Laois.

The programme is aimed at 4th - 6th classes so only teachers from those classes need to attend the initial 2 hour training. In addition a school may nominate a designated “golf teacher” who may also attend training.  Below is the list of schools participating at present on the programmes

 SCHOOL NAME  
St. Josephs GNS, Mountmellick  
Clonaghadoo NS, Mountmellick  
Scoil Bhríde, Cluain na Slí  
Barnashrone NS, M'mellick  
St. Francis School, Portlaoise  
Maryborough NS, Portlaoise  
Scoil Mhuire, Portlaoise  
Gaelscoil Phortlaoise  
Scoil Bhride, Portlaoise  
Scoil Bhríde, Rathdowney  
Camross NS, Camross  
Clough NS, Ballacolla  
Killadooley NS, Ballybrophy  
Ballyroan Boys NS, Ballyroan  
Timahoe NS, Timahoe  
Rath NS, Rath  
St. Patricks BNS, Portarlington  
Scoil Mhuire,
Mayo NS, Crettyard  
Scoil Naomh Abban, Newtown    Arles NS, Arles
The Swan NS, Swan