Buntús
• StartBuntús Start encourages young children to:
• Learn through physical activity by developing basic movement and ball skills.
• Enhancing communication through the visual and verbal interaction involved in developing language and numeracy skills through the use of movement.
• Developing understanding and recognition of colour through equipment and its use in the activities.
The cards all feature a child friendly character called Sporty. The games are organised into four groups: basic motor skills, spatial awareness, co-ordination and control, and aiming to enhance the use of these resources, training is compulsory before accessing the equipment and cards. To date 59 Leaders, Supervisors and Managers have attended training from 16 Pre-schools (712 Pupils benefiting). Equipment was provided to 10 Pre-schools at a cost of €3,780.

Buntús Generic (Play & Multisport)
The Buntús Programme is nationally co-ordinated by the Irish Sports Council and locally delivered through the Donegal Sports Partnership. Developed to support Primary School Teachers in support of the Physical Education Curriculum to introduce young people to sport. Its aim is to help children play fairly making sport fun, co-operating and playing as a team. Buntús Play is for the Junior Cycle and Buntús Multi Sport is for the Senior Cycle
The Buntús Programme seeks to:
• Raise the profile of physical education and sport.
• Improve In-service Training opportunities for Teachers.
• Assist Governing Bodies of Sport (NGB’s).
• To develop and deliver appropriate support for Teachers.
• Provide enjoyable and meaningful activity for children.
• Support delivery of the National Curriculum.

The three key components of the Programme – Training, Resource Cards and Equipment are designed to provide easy to understand, and accessible support to give children a fun but high quality introduction to sport. Since its introduction in September 2002 the DSP has delivered training to 168 of the 179 Primary Schools in the County (961 Teachers and 16,588 pupils have benefited) and Buntús equipment to the value of €208,560 has been provided at no cost to the schools.

Buntús Specific (Soccer, Rugby, Golf and in the future Badminton, Basketball and Athletics) Buntús Soccer: This sports specific programme is aimed at primary school children and their teachers in partnership with the FAI, ISC and DSP. The programme provides training and resources to teachers enabling them to deliver football related sessions during PE and afterschools programmes. To date the programme has been delivered to 124/179 Primary Schools with 690 teachers participating in training and 11,656 pupils benefiting.
Buntús Rugby: In December 2005, the Buntús Rugby programme was launched and piloted in Donegal. To date the programme has been delivered to 16/20 Primary Schools with 166 teachers participating in training and 3,057 pupils benefiting. It will be extended to a further 30 Primary Schools in 2006/7 school year.

Buntús Golf: Operated in partnership ISC, Junior Golf Ireland and the DSP this Pilot programme will be offered initially to eight primary schools with the aim of establishing greater School / Club links in each area. Additional Buntús programmes under development include Basketball, Badminton and Athletics.

Girls Active
Girls Active is a joint programme between the Donegal Sports Partnership, the Health Service Executive (NW) (HSE) and Sligo Sport and Recreational Partnership (SSRP) and Youth Sport West (YSW). The programme aims to increase the number of teenage girls not currently participating in sport or physical activity to get involved in long term regular physical activity through developing more supportive environments in schools. The girls in these schools, with the support of their teachers, organise a range of activities such as dance, swimming, yoga, tai chi, kickboxing and aerobics. In Donegal 10 Post Primary Schools over 250 girls participating regularly on a weekly basis. The activities selected are based on the interest of the girls and the availability of instructors. The programme takes place outside of class time and provides an option for those girls not interested in traditional competitive after school sports. The Girls Active programme arises out of a report by the HSE titled ‘Consultations with Teenage Girls on being and Getting Active’ which is based on discussions with girls throughout the region. The report details the girl’s recommendations including; providing a wide range of activities and a choice regarding the activity, activities free from competitiveness and also for girls only. The girls also strongly emphasised, in the consultations, the importance of involvement from a young age, the need to manage the transition from primary to post-primary schools and to have a comprehensive PE programme from primary through post-primary.

In Service Teacher Training
Teachers receive training from the Donegal Sports Partnership (DSP) on the implementation of the various DSP programmes (Buntús, Coach Education and Child Protection etc). We also work closely with the Donegal Education Centre, Donegal Town to provided a number of In-service courses approved by the Department of Education as follow:
• Activities for Children in Sport & Physical Education, Falcarragh – 2003
• Fundamental Games & Activities for Children in Sport & Physical Education, Donegal Town and Buncrana – 2004
• Fundamental Games & Outdoor Pursuits for Children in Sport & Physical Education, Kilcar – 2005
• Fundamental Games & Activities for Children in Sport & Physical Education, Kilcar – 2006
These programmes included training workshops in the fundamentals of Athletics, Basketball, GAA, Rugby, Soccer, Small Sided Games, Gymnastics, Buntús Programmes, Fundamental Movements, Code of Ethics and Good Practice in Children’s Sport and an introduction to Outdoor Pursuits with emphasis on Orienteering.

Ag Sugradh Le Cheile
This programme developed by the HSE, supported by the DSP and is delivered by qualified tutors to promote active play.

The programme aims to:
• Encourage children to be active by promoting Active Play for both children & parents.
• Aimed at Junior Infants to Second Class.
• Part of overall parenting programme offered by HSE (NW) called Ag Fas Le Chéile.
• Training is offered to Primary Schools – where parents are invited in to participate.

Schools Programme Post Primary
This is a new initiative which will be developed by the DSP to raise levels of activity, skill and participation by second level students.

Cross Border Schools Programme
The development of Cross Border Schools Programmes through funding provided by EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation and the World Academy of Sport has resulted in many key partnerships and links being supported on a Cross Border context. In partnership with Donegal Sports Partnership, Donegal VEC and the Western Education and Library Board, Omagh through Laureus Sport for Good Fund will continue to develop schools sports programmes that embrace mutual respect and cultural diversity for all our citizens throughout the island of Ireland

(Last update 4th August 2006)