Through funding received from Dormant Accounts, Laois Sports Partnership is proud to announce the development of our 5th Community Sports Hub in County Laois.
This new hub will be the first Vision Impaired Community Physical Activity Hub in Ireland, designed to increase participation in sport and physical activity for people with visual impairments and physical disabilities. The hub will focus on inclusion, training, and collaboration to expand accessible sporting opportunities across the county.
The initiative supports people with visual impairments and physical disabilities to actively engage in sport within Co. Laois.
We are working in partnership with:
These figures highlight a clear need to create accessible opportunities for participation in sport and physical activity.
With the support of partners, clubs, and volunteers, Laois Sports Partnership has developed a wide range of inclusive programmes, including:
Our athletics team has achieved national success, winning 15 gold medals at the Grand Prix Games.
Since the Sports Inclusion Disability Officer (SIDO) programme began in Laois in 2005, five Paralympians have progressed through our programmes:
Gary O’Reilly, following a life-changing accident in 2014, discovered handcycling and went on to medal at the Paralympic Games.
Nicole Turner began her journey with Laois Marlins, benefiting from inclusive training environments.
The Vision Impaired Community Physical Activity Hub will:
“This hub is an acknowledgement of the dedication, passion and hard work from our Sports Inclusion Disability Officer over the past number of years working in collaboration and partnership creating opportunities for people with visual impairments and physical disability to participate in sport and physical activity. It will be the first of its kind in Ireland and we are excited for the journey ahead and making Laois a role model for inclusion across the network of local sports partnerships”.
Caroline Myers
CEO, Laois Sports Partnership
“In my role as Sports Inclusion Disability Officer with Laois Sports partnership I am very excited about this new VI Para hub in Laois. Many people with disabilities are excluded from participating in sports activities and I am confident that this hub will provide opportunities for more people in Laois to take part in sport”.
Catriona Slattery
Sports Inclusion Disability Officer – Laois Sports Partnership
“The success of all these programmes is down to our amazing volunteers our fantastic coaches and our inspirational athletes. With some training hard work and a whole lot of grit we might just add to our para-Olympic list. For the first time children and adults with a visual impairment or a physical disability have a fantastic choice of sports to choose from”.
Treacy Percy
VIP Hub Co-Ordinator
I would like to thank Laois Sports Partnership & Vision Sport Ireland for all your help and support with my son Cormac Kennedy. Cormac is 11 years old & has NF1 with Optica glioma & hydrocephalus. He has no sight in right eye & has field vision issues. He completed 89 weeks chemotherapy & has a VP shunt. He is on hormonal treatment for early puberty & has gained a lot of weight. Cormac’s needs are complex and does attend mainstream school but sport for him is difficult in the mainstream arena. Since meeting with the sports vision Ireland in Portlaoise it has been life changing. Cormac has met boys and girls that have vision issues who are able to be involved in sports with support. He loves the swimming & athletics. He was involved the athletics in Portlaoise this summer & was so happy & proud of his achievements. He has made friends with boys & girls that understand him & his issues. He is a driven, happy boy but really feels the struggles of being different. As a parent we have met people that understand the struggles we have as parents which is huge for our mental health. It has been amazing to join the family & support network in Portlaoise.
I have completed many 5k walks over the years but nothing like the virtual 5K during Covid. To say I felt pride is an understatement. For the first time in over a year I could feel that sense of community in the air. We walked with our heads held high, a smile on our face and waved to so many in their blue T-shirt’s. With the sun on our backs, we started out supporting Laois Guide Dogs and Portlaoise Athletics Club but by the end it meant so much more Thank You…