The Social Innovation in Sport Officer role is a new position within Sports Partnerships.  The role is funded by the European Social Fund and Sport Ireland. In this role, David will lead out the “Sport4Empowerment” programme which will pilot and implement a range of new, targeted, and innovative programmes which aim to enhance the wellbeing, education, and economic prospects of participants through the median of sport.  Specifically, the programme will target people of an ethnic minority background, disadvantaged young people, people with a disability, and disadvantaged communities. 

Commenting on the appointment, Eamonn Henry, Coordinator with Offaly Sports Partnership said,

“We are delighted to welcome David back to Offaly Sports Partnership and look forward to working with him again.  He did a graduate internship with us back in 2007 before taking up employment with the Meath Sports Partnership.  His extensive experience in both sports development and community development makes him an ideal leader of the new Sport4Empowerment programme”.  

David is a graduate of sports management in UCD.  He returned to complete his final year of a BA Honours Degree in Business and Sport’s Management from Waterford I.T. in 2006 / 2007. With qualifications in strength and conditioning and ongoing studies in sports psychology, he brings a wealth of sporting knowledge and experience to his new role.
 
His work experience to date is as equally impressive as his sports studies.  He was the first course coordinator of the Sports and Recreation FETAC course in Moate Business College, where he taught for five years from 2000 to 2005.  After completing his internship in Offaly Sports Partnership, he worked with Meath Sports Partnership for ten years as a senior sports development officer.  On his return to Offaly, he worked for six years as a Community Development Officer with the Offaly Local Development Company where he gained vast experience on delivering interventions to tackle social exclusion. 

With a passion for sports growing up, David excelled on the track winning many juvenile county and provincial tiles in the 100m, long jump and relay events. In GAA, he won Leinster junior and senior A tiles with his school, Ard Scoil Chiarain, Clara. But, during his time in college and then teaching, he developed a strong interest in coaching and athletic development. Thereafter, he progressed to GAA coaching. He coached Clara seniors and was an integral part in helping the team reach the Senior A county final in 2017.  He is currently the underage academy coordinator with his club, Clara GAA. 

Commenting on his new position, David said, 
“I am excited to rekindle my life’s passion in sports development, and what makes it truly special is doing it in my own county. I am looking forward to working with some familiar faces and hoping to meet new groups of people and community’s throughout Offaly with this new role”.

David can be contacted by email on dmccaffey@offalycoco.ie or on 086 201 0013.