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Programmes

GSP deliver a number of different programmes designed to increase participation. Some programmes are delivered when funding is made available at a national or local level specifically. Other programmes are national programmes delivered by every LSP across the country and directly funded by Sport Ireland. Below is a list of the national programmes GSP delivers in Galway.

Activity Leader

The award is designed to provide trained, knowledgeable and enthusiastic community based physical activity leaders. Leaders will be equipped to work in a wide range of locations including local clubs, community groups, workplaces, community centres and sports' clubs. Leaders will also aim to increase participation rates in physical activity in a variety of practical ways including:

  • Encouraging a wide range of people, such as friends, colleagues and contacts to take up active leisure pursuits

  • Applying their knowledge and skills to plan, organise and lead safe, enjoyable activity sessions with small groups and

  • Assisting in the planning, organising and running of community sports days

The intended outcome is that the trainee leader will be competent and confident in taking charge of a group for physical activity sessions. Specifically, the successful leader will be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to plan, organise and lead physical activity sessions within their own group setting. The training courses are organised at local level by Local Sports Partnership. At the start of the course, trainee leaders should be over 18 years and following the course, the successful leader will be able to:

  • Understand their role as a leader and how they will apply it within their organisation

  • Display an ability to plan and lead a fun physical activity session demonstrating leadership skills such as communication, observation and group management

  • Demonstrate an ability to safely lead a group of up to 16 people

The total course will be 10 to 12 hours comprising of practical and theoretical units and for details of upcoming training courses please contact us.

Buntús

Buntús Programmes are exciting programmes developed to support teachers and childcare practitioners in introducing young people to sport and physical activity. The programmes are rolled out through the LSPs. Sport Ireland 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. For all Buntús programmes the programme is delivered in a package consisting of 3 components; equipment, resource cards and training. The three key components of the programme are designed to provide easy to understand and accessible support to give children a fun but high quality introduction to sport. The purpose of the course is to empower teachers and childcare practitioners to use the cards in their PE/physical activity sessions. Sport Ireland has been rolling out Buntús for over 10 years and the vast majority of schools have received availed of the programme and the programme is winding down. We encourage any school who has not availed of the programme to contact us as soon as possible.

  • Buntús Start is a comprehensive physical activity programme for children aged between 2-5 years old. It has been adopted from the Youth Sport Trust Programme Top Start in the UK. Buntús Start is delivered in partnership with the Health Services Executive or County Childcare Committee or a three way partnership.

  • Buntús Generic refers to Buntús Play and Spóirt programmes which are based on the Tops Play and Tops Multi-Sport programmes run by Youth Sport Trust in the UK. The Play bag is aimed at Junior Infants up to 2nd class and the Spóirt bag is aimed at 3rd to 6th class. However, the games on the cards can be adapted to suit the class's ability. Buntús Generic complements the Games strand of the PE curriculum which is one of six strands.

Safeguarding (Child protection)

Sport Ireland and the Sports Council for Northern Ireland published a joint Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children's Sport in 2000. This major joint publication recognised the commitment of both Councils to ensure that young people are safeguarded in their participation in sport in the island of Ireland. The Code has been adopted and implemented by governing bodies of sports, clubs, LSPs and community/voluntary groups on an on-going basis since 2000. It has been encouraging to see the common sense approach to the adoption of the code at grass roots level, which has resulted in protection for young people and leaders.

If young people are to stay involved in sport throughout their adult life, they need to be equipped with the fundamentals to remain involved with sport and physical activity. Equally we need to ensure that their early experiences are positive and enjoyable, irrespective of their ability, gender, social class, race, etc. It is encouraging to see adults, both volunteers and professionals, contribute to these positive experiences by
acting as role models in all dealings with young people. In particular the work of Children's Officers at club and national level is instrumental in implementing the Code. We need to build on this valuable work to ensure that all young people see sport and physical activity as an important and valuable aspect of their lives that they will sustain throughout their adulthood.

The review of the Code in 2005 ensures that the policies and procedures that we implement at all levels in sport are up-to-date and in line with relevant documents, current best practice and legislation throughout the island of Ireland. We thank the committee for its work throughout 2005 and we hope that this will help all sporting organisations to protect and maintain the welfare of all young people through sport.

A change in the delivery of Code of Ethics workshops by Sport Ireland has resulted in the following workshops been delivered locally by GSP. There are now three stages of training are outlined here as follows:

Safeguarding 1 - Child Welfare & Protection Basic Awareness Course

All Coaches, Children’s Officers and Designated Liaison Persons (DLP) must first complete the 3 hour Child Welfare & Protection Basic Awareness Course.  This course educates participants on the implementation of best practice in protecting the welfare of children involved in sport.

2. Safeguarding 2 - Club Children’s Officer (C.C.O)

A person appointed to the Club Children’s Officer position in a club must have completed Safeguarding 1 (Child Welfare & Protection Basic Awareness workshop) and should complete the NEW Club Children’s Officer 3 hour workshop. This course will help the Club Children’s Officer to carry out the function of their role in the club and support the implementation of best practice in the club. Participants will also receive a Club Children’s Officer Action Planning document as part of the training.

Club Children's Officers

Club Children's Officers should be child centred in focus and have as the primary aim the establishment of a child centred ethos within the club. S/he is the link between the children and the adults in the club. S/he also takes responsibility for monitoring and reporting to the Club Management Committee on how club policy impacts on young people and Sports Leaders

3. Safeguarding 3 - Designated Liaison Person (DLP)

A person appointed to the Designated Liaison Person position in a club must have completed the Child Welfare & Protection Basic Awareness Course and should complete the NEW Designated Liaison Person 3 hour workshop. A club may appoint the same person to both the CCO and DLP positions however best practice advises that they are kept as separate roles.

Designated Liaison Person

Every club/organisation should designate a person to be responsible for dealing with any concerns about the protection of children. The Designated Liaison Person is responsible for reporting allegations or suspicions of child abuse to TULSA Child and Family Agency or Social Services (NI) and/or An Garda Siochán / PSNI. It is recommended that this person is a senior club person. However, if there is difficulty identifying a separate individual to take this role, the Club Children’s Officer can be appointed as Designated Liaison Person once the club/organisation is clear about the responsibilities of each role. The organisation’s child protection policy and procedures should include the name and contact details of the Designated Liaison Person and the responsibilities attached to the role.

GSP deliver a number of each course throughout the year with the most common being SG1 courses, with SG 2 and SG available less often.

Each course is 3 hours long and generally delivered on a weekday evening.

Cost of each course is €20 per person.

Contact us for more information and an application form.

Go For Life

The Go for Life Programme aims to increase participation among older people in recreational sport activities. The Programme is administered by Age and Opportunity, and overseen by a Steering Group comprising representatives of the Sport Ireland, Age and Opportunity, the Federation of Active Retirement Associations, the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament and the National Council on Ageing and Older People.

In 2007, the Sport Ireland provided €700,000 under the Programme. 627 groups nationwide shared an allocation of €350,000 under phase seven of the Go for Life National Grant Scheme for Sport and Physical Activity for Older People. The national grant scheme is just one element of the Go for Life programme and complements the other main strands in the programme - the Active Living programme and the Sports Participation programme.

For further details please visit www.ageandopportunity.ie or telephone: 01-805-7733.