Information
CARA Adapted Physical Activity Centre
In 2003 and 2005, The Institute of Technology Tralee, supported by the Irish Sports Council organised the first two National Adapted Physical Activity Conferences to be held in Ireland. These conferences highlighted three main issues.
- The low levels of participation among people with disabilities in sport and physical activity
- The lack of information throughout Ireland regarding sport and physical activity opportunities available to individuals with disabilities.
- The lack of awareness within sporting and disability organisations with regards to the needs of people with disabilities.
Following the 2005 Adapted Physical Activity conference 'Getting it Right-Including People wit Disabilities', a report by the National Disability Authority' Promoting the Participation of People with Disabilities in Physical Activity and Sport in Ireland' indicated the urgent need for a coordinated approach to accelerate progress in achieving access, inclusion and quality participation in sport and physical activity.
In November 2007, supported by the Irish Sports Council and the Institute of Technology Tralee, the CARA Adapted Physical Activity Centre was established.
The main aim of the CARA APA Centre is to facilitate an increase in the number of people with disabilities participating in sport and physical activity, through increasing opportunities to participate, improving access, providing information on and organising delivering training.
Additionally the CARA APA Centre will undertake and coordinate research, support APA developments at third level institutions and other relevant courses and assist in the developments of both local and national sport and physical activity strategies.
To enable the CARA APA Centre achieve its main aim the following objectives were developed. (1) To coordinate and support the work of 21 Sports Inclusion Disability Officers (SIDOs) throughout Ireland and (2) To develop as a National Resource Centre working in partnership with Local Sports Partnerships, the National Coaching and Training Centre, National Governing Bodies, Disability Organisations, National Disability Authority,Schools, International links and other relevant sporting organisations.
Through effective working partnerships with key stakeholders, the CARA Adapted Physical Activity Centre has begun to develop a national framework that will make full participation in sport and physical activity for people with disabilities a reality.
2010 Special Olympics Ireland Games
Congratulations to all athletes from Dún Laoghaire - Rathdown that participated in the 2010 Special Olympics Ireland Games in Limerick last week.
Athletes from the following DLR Clubs and Affiliated Groups competed in a range of disciplines including Athletics, Aquatics, MATP, Bowling, 5-a-side Football, Golf, Artistic Gymnastics and Basketball:
- Children's Sunshine Home
- Blackrock Flyers
- Carmona Cougars
- Dundrum Special Olympics Club
- Stillorgan/ Mount Merrion Special Olympics Club
- Stillorgan Rangers Special Olympics Club
- Tivoli Tigers Gym Club
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Sports Partnership would like to wish all athletes, volunteers and coaches sincere congratulatons, and good luck with your sporting futures! Well Done!
Congratulations to the Sandyford Steamers Boccia Team who clinched the National Boccia League Title for 2010!
On Tuesday 6th July, at Ballinteer Community School, the Sandyford Steamers (from Enable Ireland Sandyford), which developed from a Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Sports Partnership initiative only last September, were one of 6 teams battling it out in the final stages of the CPSI National Boccia League. The teams were divided into two pools with each playing the other to emerge from their pool in top spot.
Playing off for the 5th and 6th spot were Quinn's Cross Boccia team from Limerick against Cork Boccia Team. Both teams put up a very competitive match, with Cork beating Limerick by one point to secure 5th place.
Next, newcomers to the league, IWA Ardee, battled it out against IWA Offaly. Experience shone through for the Offaly team giving them a 5-1 victory over their opponents.
The final match of the day saw Sligo Town Boccia Team C and newcomers the Sandyford Steamers meet. A tightly fought match between the two teams was guaranteed, but newcomers Sandyford Steamers kept adding points to the board after the second game and went on to clinch the title. The team was made up of Dermot Madsen (Captain), Cathy Quinn, Margaret O' Meara, Madeleine Cotter with manager and coach Michael Harvey. Team coordinator was Phena O' Connor, Sports Inclusion Disability Officer, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Sports Partnership.
Boccia is a Paralympic sport played primarily by those with cerebral palsy. In Ireland Cerebral Palsy Sport Ireland is the governing body for boccia development, as well as other sports for those with a physical disability, and run a development league each year.
For further details about Boccia in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, contact Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Sports Partnership on 01 271 9506, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or check out our website www.dlrsportspartnership.ie
