Donegal Sports Partnership was established in 2001 as one of an initial group of twelve Local Sports Partnership established under the Irish Sports Council. The key aims of the Irish Sports Council is to plan, lead and co-ordinate the sustainable development of competitive and recreational sport in Ireland. This aim is supported by a vision where sport contributes to enhancing the quality of life in Ireland and where everyone is encouraged and valued in sport. read on...

(23rd January 12)  The FAI have launched the FAI Coaches Association (www.fai.ie/coaching)which will be of interest to all coaches and managers at all levels of the game.  Some of the benefits of membership include:

•       Full access to members’ area of the FAI Coaches Association website.

•       Printable Session plans prepared by FAI staff – including international team coaches – covering all aspects of the game (with more added every week)

•       Informative articles, interviews and videos to help broaden your coaching knowledge.

•       One year’s subscription to Academy Soccer Coaches Session planning software including one interactive session planner. This allows you to create and save your own Coaching  Session plans, add them to a Session Planner template and print out to take with you to your coaching sessions. (Purchased separately this retails at just under €30). This software is used by Chelsea, West Ham, Spurs, Fulham and the PFA amongst others.

•       Priority access to purchase Season tickets.

•       Inclusion in a free members only draw for 10 pairs of Premium tickets for each senior international home game at the Aviva Stadium.

In addition The FAICA website will also have section where members seeking coaching positions can advertise their availability and clubs / leagues can advertise coaching positions they want to fill.

FAI Coaching Programmes 2012

(16th January 12) The Mount Errigal Tweet-up will take place on the top of Mount Errigal at 751m in Donegal on the 26th of February 2012. We will be setting of from the car park at 12 noon. Tweet-ups started around the country last year, they were started by the SME community who are active on Twitter, it is basically a networking event that is arranged on twitter. People can look for sponsorship for the climb, the charity will be announced shortly. It is open to everyone and anyone, we will have a key note speech on top and people will be able to tweet during the climb and from the top, it will be Irelands highest tweet-up to date, so come along for a fun day out. We must point out that anyone who takes part does so at their own risk. There is also facebook group people can join with more info just search for Errigal Tweet-up or search for the list @Carldiver/errigal-tweet-up

(12th January 12) The “Sports Inclusion Disability Officer Programme Report 2009-2011” has just been launched by Mr Dinny McGinley, Minister of State at the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs. The report summarises the key developments within the SIDO initiative, refreshes the key aims and objectives of the project and promotes ongoing and active participation of people of all abilities in sport and recreational physical activity. The press release and full report can be can be downloaded by clicking on the photo below.

(10th January 12) Irish Heart Foundation and the Irish Sports Council are subsidising the Walking Leader Training weekend and there is a nominal cost of €50 for the 2 and a half day non- residential course.  Walking Leader Training is primarily aimed at people wishing to lead a walking group or promote walking in the community or workplace. The course comprises of a weekend of training and then a follow up 4 week walking programme to try out your new walking leaders skills. Please see attached below for further details and booking form.

Walking Leaders Course Information and Booking Form

(6th January 12) Donegal Sports Partnership are organising strength & conditioning course for coaches working with young athletes. Course tutor will be Chris Galway who has 15 years experience in working in strength and conditioning at club and provincial level. Chris is also accredited by the Australian Association of Strength and Conditioning, the UK Strength and Conditioning Association and is a tutor with Coaching Ireland.

Closing date for booking is Friday 27^th January, places are limited to 25 so early booking is essential.

Course Outline

• Components of fitness
• Windows of Optimal Trainability
• Warm Ups and Strength, Agility and Balance
• Injury causes and prevention
• Resistance Training
• Postural correction – correcting muscle imbalance.
• Plyometric training for injury prevention.
• Fitness Testing.

Date/Time: Saturday 4th February 2012, 9.30am – 4pm

Venue: Finn Valley Sports Centre, Stranorlar

Cost: €25 per head – includes light lunch and resources.

Please contact Donegal Sports Partnership at 074 9116078 / 16079 or email info@activedonegal.com

Download Application Form

Cloghan Community to host Operation Transformation Walk 2012

(5th January 12) The Cloghan Day Centre in Glenfin will be the headquarters of this year’s Operation Transformation Walk which takes place on the 14^th January at 2.30pm. This event is organised locally by Donegal Sports Partnership to promote the benefits of physical activity to good health and positive lifestyles.

It links into the popular RTE series which showcases the efforts of 5 participants from across the country in their quest to reduce their body weight and improve their overall health. RTE and the Irish Sports Council through the local sports partnerships will organise a series of walks all across the country on the weekend of the 14^th January.

The New Year always brings an increase in the level of participation and physical activity with many starting the year with an ambition to improve their lifestyle through increase levels of physical activity and exercise. The Operation Transformation Walk will give everyone an opportunity to begin the New Year with positive ambitions to improve their lifestyle with walks to suit all abilities. Everyone welcome.

Further information from Donegal Sports Partnership at info@activedonegal.com or 074 9116078 or 074 9116079

(4th January 12) Finn Valley AC are repeating their successful Spring 5k road  series once again in 2012 . This proved extremely popular last year and gave many participants the opportunity to get out running,  jogging and walk with the advantage of being monitored in an organised event each fortnight over the same course etc.
Registering for each event with €5.00.   The added bonus of a dedicated T-shirt for those that participate in all 4 runs. Refreshments will be served post event. Participants can alternatively pre-enter by contacting rundonegal@gmail.com
Everyone welcome .

Race dates are as follows

Sunday 19th Feb  – Start time: 11:00am
Sunday 4th March – Start time: 11:00am
Friday 23rd  March – Start time: 7:00pm
Friday 30th March -  Start time: 7:00pm

(2nd December 11)  The Donegal Sports Partnership’s Strategic Plan “Active Donegal 2011- 2014″ is now available to download (in PDF format). Scroll down the links on the left to “Reports” and click on the link Active Donegal Strategic Plan 2011 – 2014.  Hard copies are also available from our office or can be posted by sending a stamped (€1.00) self addressed A4 envelope to:
Donegal Sports Partnership, River Front House, Pearse Road, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.

(1st December 11)   Become part of the National GP Exercise Referral Programme, the only recognised referral network between health and leisure professionals in Ireland. Please see the links below for further details.

National Training Course Poster

National Training Course Information

(25th November 11)  Sport plays a huge part in the lives of many people in Donegal and this again will be highlighted in a special event in which Mr John Treacy, Chief Executive Officer of the Irish Sports Council together with Minister of State Dinny McGinley will be the guests of honour for a special sports event in the Aura Leisure Centre, Letterkenny on the 2^nd December commencing at 7:00pm.   The former Olympian will be in Donegal to support Donegal Sports Partnership in celebrating their 10^th Anniversary and to launch ‘Active Donegal 2011 – 2014’ which is the company’s new strategic plan.

Strategic Plan – Invitation

Strategic Plan – Press Release