Offaly Sports Partnership also launched its Annual Report for 2017 at the AGM. This report covers a sample of the large range of programmes / activities that Offaly Sports Partnership facilitates among clubs, individuals, organisations and schools in the county.  
 
Highlights of 2017 include: - 
 

• the establishment of the south Offaly sports hub (the Hub), following the securing of €40,000 in 2016 through the Dormant Accounts Disbursement Fund. Operating out of Crinkle Sport and Recreation Centre, the Hub has delivered a range of outreach programmes to schools, clubs and organisations.
• the announcement of the employment of a Football Association of Ireland Soccer in the Community Development Officer (FAI officer). The announcement was attended by Martin O Neill, Republic of Ireland Manager and John Delaney, Chief Executive Officer Football Association of Ireland. The Sports Partnership worked closely with all partners in securing the post, and Gary Seery commenced work in September 2017, rolling out FAI grassroots soccer programmes throughout the county
• the delivery of a comprehensive schools’ fitness programme with 34 schools and over 5,000 pupils participating
• continued delivery of the partnership’s Sports Inclusion Development Programme, which focuses on increasing the participation of people with disabilities in sport and physical activity. Over 600 people with disabilities were supported to participate in sport and physical activity programmes
• the delivery of education and training programmes for over 200 volunteers / coaches in clubs and organisations
• the delivery of sports leader training for 200 transition year students in post primary schools across the county
• the delivery of integration projects including the Integrated Academy for Athletics Performance, nine members of which won 23 All-Ireland medals  
• the supporting of A significant number of primary and post primary school programmes in sport and physical activity    
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• the delivery of inter-generational sport and physical activity programmes such as Operation Transformation, Bike Week, Play Day and Recreation Week  
• the delivery of sport and physical activity programmes for low income communities, older people, and women and girls
• the delivery of additional physical activity programmes for other ethnic groups and people with disabilities following funding secured via Department of Justice & Equality, the Health Services Executive, and Athletics Ireland via Dormant Accounts 

The report is available here.  
 
Officers for the board of Offaly Sports Partnership for the coming year will be: - 

• Miriam O Callaghan – Chair
• Jude Feehan – Vice Chair
• Darren Butler – Financial Monitor 

 
These officers will be joined by Martin Daly of Offaly County Council; Cllr Declan Harvey of Offaly Local Community Development Committee; and Eamonn Brady, FAI representative; on the executive of the Sports Partnership. 
 
For more information on Offaly Sports Partnership, visit our website, follow us on Facebook/OffalySportsPartnership, Twitter @OffalySP, email us or call us on 057 93 57462. 
 
ENDS 
 
Notes Offaly Sports Partnership is a subcommittee of Offaly County Council. It is core funded by the Sport Ireland, and hosted by the Community and Culture section of Offaly County Council.