VIP Hub

Following the success of the initial collaborate projects between stakeholders & Laois Sports Partnership, we decided to apply for a VIP Hub for Laois through Sport Ireland Dormant Accounts.

This was collaborated after consultations for the Laois Sports Partnership Strategic Plan 2022-2026, a needs was identified for initiatives and growth of exiting projects.

The aim of this hub is to increase sport and physical activity opportunities for people with physical disabilities and visual impairments in Co. Laois by creating the first Vision Impaired Community Physical Activity Hub in Ireland.   This hub will promote inclusion and training, collaboration with local and national organisations to expand accessible sports opportunities.

This initiative is aimed at supporting people with a visual impairment and people with physical disabilities to participate in sport in Co. Laois. Laois Sports Partnerships key partners will include Vision Sports Ireland, Laois Offaly Education Training Board, Portlaoise College, Athletics Ireland, Laois Athletics, IWA Laois, IWA Sport, Portlaoise AFC, Laois Leisure Portlaoise, The Heath Golf Club, Laois Cycling & Touring Club along with local clubs and other stakeholders.

In 2023, Laois Sports Partnership engaged 3,164 individuals in 94 programmes, emphasising support for people with disabilities with most not meeting National Physical Activity Guidelines.

An overwhelming need has been identified for people with visual impairments and physical disabilities to create opportunities to participate in sport and physical activity.

In previous years, people with vision impairments have enjoyed activities such as Goalball, Spinning (Cycling)Tandem Cycling & Athletics

With support from our partner organisations in the last five years, we have been able to include Wrestling, Kayaking, Canoeing, Guide Running, Couch 2 5k Running, Water Sports Summer Camp, Athletics, Golf, Couch to 50k, Tandem Cycling and Soccer in our programme output.

Since the SIDO programme started in Laois in 2005, five Paralympians have passed through our doors.

• Garrett Culliton, former Sports Inclusion Disability Officer with Laois Sports Partnership, Mary Fitzgerald (from Kilkenny, but started her training in Laois), Ailish Dunne (Mountmellick), Nicole Turner and Gary O’ Reilly.
• Gary & Nicole started off in programmes with Laois Sports Partnership.  Gary had never been particularly interested in sports during his younger years, but that changed after a workplace accident in 2014. A fall from a forklift left him with three shattered vertebrae, resulting in paralysis from the waist down. Over time, he took up handcycling, initially just for the enjoyment. However, as he became more passionate about it, he grew more competitive, eventually earning a medal at last year’s Paralympic Games.
• Nicole Turner began her swimming journey with Laois Marlins, a club known for its inclusive star squad that integrates athletes with disabilities into all training sessions.

Next Steps

• Co-ordinator Treacy Percy was put in place to;
  – Support training and education opportunities and promote greater inclusion within the community.
  – To build capacity in the community that will further enhance the offering of activities for people with a vision impairment and physical disability in Portlaoise and the surrounding areas.
  – To provide a model of best practice, with support from hub partners which can be replicated in other counties.
  – Opportunities for multiple activities to be established include cycling, tennis and gymnastics to name just a few.
  – Provide a pathway to para sports activities and games

Caroline Myers CEO Laois Sports Partnership said “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”.