Volunteer Awards

The Volunteers in Sport Awards are back and we’re asking you to nominate that volunteer in your club who keeps the show on the road! Someone wo always has a smile on their face, a stalwart, a go to in your club community. The closing date for nominations is Wednesday 8th February 2023.

Through the Federation of Irish Sport, the Volunteers in Sports Awards is a celebration to honour and recognise individuals who are part of the wider volunteering community involved in sport, who give freely of their time and efforts in a variety of ways through the structure of sports clubs and/or community organisations in Ireland.

Nominations can be made by completing a short online entry form at https://lnkd.in/eEzBKTrV

Make their day! Get as many people in your club, community or association to vote for that special stalwart! #dedicatedtohededicated

Women in Sport

Following on from our last Information Evening for Clubs last October where the main topic was around ‘Female Engagement & Participation in Sport’, we have created the attached bubble infographic.

We are encouraging DLR clubs to use the infographic to initiate important conversations around Women in Sport within your club to help support your female members & volunteers.

This infographic can be circulated to members, placed on social media platforms, printed and placed around facilities and most importantly brought to meetings and groups to be discussed. We hope that you find the information helpful and please feel free to contact us if you need any support.

We plan to hold our next Information Meeting for Clubs towards the end of March around the topic ‘ Inclusion within Sports Clubs’. We will keep you posted on the details.

Appeal to respond to the needs of Ukrainians in DLR

The DLR Volunteer Centre is running a specific appeal to respond to the needs of Ukrainians. Their aim is to gather items to help them, particularly the children, enjoy the holiday season. They have received a list of very specific requests for items that would be greatly appreciated at this time.

Could you help them fulfil this wish-list?
You can help by adding a few needed items to your shopping trolley and delivering them to our donation point at Ballyogan Parish Hall.

Click here to view the list of required items which includes things like arts & crafts materials, bikes, personal hygiene items, clothing and more…! Please note, items should be new/unopened and at present they cannot accept items outside of those listed.
Let them know if you intend to make a donation by pledging some items here. Making a pledge isn’t essential but it does help them understand what items people are planning to donate and to establish which items we might be a little short on.
Drop off your contribution to their temporary donation hub at Ballyogan Parish Hall during one of our donation drop-off times:

Friday 9th December 11-2
Saturday 10th December 12-4

If you have any queries the DLR volunteer Centre can be contacted at
T:01 441 4444 or E: info@volunteerdlr.ie

Call for vacant properties to be made available

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council is joining with other local authorities to lead a new appeal for offers of unoccupied properties to provide temporary homes for those fleeing war in Ukraine.

More than 60,000 people have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine, and most are in need of safe and secure accommodation. This new call aims to make use of unoccupied houses, apartments or holiday homes to provide much needed accommodation on a temporary basis.

The appeal is for offers of houses, apartments, or holiday homes for use as temporary accommodation for those arriving from Ukraine. Ideally, properties would be available for at least six months. Property owners can offer homes at offerahome.ie or by contacting the local authority in which the property is located.

The local authority in which the property is located will be the point of contact for owners throughout the offer and assessment process. Owners can expect to be contacted by the local authority within 5 working days of making an offer and an assessment of the property will be carried out shortly after. In addition, the person who offers the property will be able to check the status of their offer at any stage through the website. Local authorities will also match suitable properties to Ukrainian beneficiaries and can support in agreeing licence agreement and other arrangements.

Full details of the call for properties are available at offerahome.ie where offers can be made. We are grateful for any support you could offer on this initiative.

Online Autism in Sport Workshop

DLR Sports Partnership with CARA Centre are hosting an online Autism in Sport Workshop this Monday 21^st November from 7pm -9.30pm.

The online workshop will provide attendees with an understanding of Autism focusing on the delivery of sport. It will help participants to recognise and understand key areas of difference as well as looking at practical strategies which will help to include people with autism in sport sessions.

This workshop is suitable for Sports leaders, coaches, volunteers, teachers, principals, special needs assistants (SNAs), parents or anyone who has an interest in making their sport accessible and inclusive for people with Autism.

The cost is just €10 and you can book through the following Eventbrite link.

European week of Sport Taster Sessions

The European week of Sport runs from the 23^rd – 30^th September 2022 and there are a few programmes that might interest you. If you have any queries please contact Kevina here: Kmalone@dlrcoco.ie

Men on the Move 6 week programme – Starting 19^th of September ( Monday & Wednesday’s, Free, Men only programme), lads over 40, who would like to start back to exercising,7-8pm Cuala hall. Register

Kayaking Kings – Free Come & try Kayaking session, Men only, Irish National Sailing School, west pier, Dun Laoghaire, Sunday 25^th of September,12pm to 1.30. Register

Coaching Teenage Girls in Sport– For adult coaches of Teenage Girls, Online, Tuesday 27^th at 6.30pm to 9.30pm. Register

Roller Rebels -Free come & Try Roller Skating Session, Thursday 29^th of September, Cuala Gaa Hall 7.00pm- 8.00pm, we have 20 pairs of Skates and protective gear (sizes 4-7), if you have roller skates feel free to bring them. Register

Dublin Mountain Partnership– Free Night Hike in Ticknock – contact: info@dublinmountains.ie

Women in Sport Leadership Course

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Sports Partnership are delighted to announce that they will be delivering another bespoke DLR Women in Sport Leadership Course to clubs in the County in September 2022. This is the second time this highly rated, award winning, national course is being rolled out here.

This course is designed and delivered by experienced consultants Lisa Clancy and Sarah O’Shea, who have themselves worked at the highest levels in Irish sport. They also hold volunteer board positions as Vice President of Paralympics Ireland and Honorary General Secretary Olympic Federation Ireland respectively bringing their extensive sporting leadership experience to the programme. Our first course which took place in January 2022 received rave reviews from all the female participants which has helped them on their own leadership journeys in sport.

This leadership programme has already proved to be hugely successful elsewhere with over 230 female participants spanning over 52 sporting bodies creating a strong network of female leaders. Participants have included club members, athletes, coaches, volunteers, board members and support personnel from a variety of backgrounds and all ages within clubs and National Governing Bodies. Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Sports Partnership are delighted to be in a position to offer this course to 18 female volunteers involved in various roles at club level.

The aim of the DLR Women In Sport Leadership Programme is to provide training, guidance, and expertise to support women to thrive in leadership positions in sport. It will give women across the County the opportunity to learn additional skills, increase their confidence and build networks across sports.

The programme is specifically designed for female leaders over the age of 18 years old working or volunteering within sport (committee members, officials, volunteers, coaches etc.), but it is also suitable for females that are involved in sport and want to now pursue a position of leadership. The cost per participant for the full programme is subsidised at just €30 due to funding secured through Sport Ireland and the Dormant Accounts Fund.

The course is designed to be an enjoyable experience for participants to learn in a relaxed supportive environment and build a network into the future. It is a practical interactive course delivered over zoom and in person with participants expected to fully engage during the sessions and in various breakout groups as part of their learning experience.

The DLR Women In Sport Leadership Programme will be delivered through a mix of online sessions on Tuesdays evenings 19:00-20:30 (20th & 27th September, 4th, 11th & 18th October 2022) and a final session in person (Saturday 22nd October), venue to be confirmed.

There will be some group and individual exercises during the programme and the size of the class is limited to ensure everyone has the opportunity to fully engage and reach their full potential. The interactive practical classes allow each participant to work and focus on their own development, while also learning from other women and hearing about their experiences of leadership. On successful completion of the course each participant will receive a Certificate in Women in Sport Leadership from Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Sports Partnership.

How to Nominate:

All clubs or sporting groups based in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown can nominate one female who they feel is the most appropriate for the course and can benefit most from the content and supports. This nomination must come through the club Chairperson. Those interested should be a female already in a volunteer role in your club or recognised as having the potential to take on a leadership role in the near future. Attached is the Nomination Form which must be returned by 5pm on Friday 8th July 2022 to the following email address sportspartnership@dlrcoco.ie

Please note that places get booked up quickly. It is also important that nominees can attend ALL the course dates listed above.

Places on the course are limited to 18 and all nominations received by the closing date will be reviewed based on the content of this Nomination Form by the Board of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Sports Partnership to select the successful nominees for September 2022.

Topics on the course will include:

• Leadership• Values• Networking and Collaboration• Challenging Situations and Resilience• Conflict• Crisis Management • Communications and Developing Your Personal Brand• Influence and Change • Research and Governance.

Participants will also receive a one-on-one coaching session and support in producing their own Personal Development Plan. Modules will also include inputs from external speakers at national and local level relating their own personal leadership experiences.

Free Zumba Classes O55s

During the month of May and as part of the Bealtaine Festival, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Sports Partnership in partnership with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council are holding a number of free online taster activity sessions for the over 55s. Please see the flyer attached to view all the available classes.

These free online classes take place each Monday at 10am during May. Next class is Zumba on Monday 10th May at 10am. To book or for more information: https://tasterzumba10may.eventbrite.ie

Couch to 3K

As spring has arrived why not put a spring in your step why not embrace Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Sports Partnerships new CouchTo3K programme. It is a free walk to jog 6-week programme for adults starting the week of Monday 12th of April 2021.

What is a Couch to 3K?

Whether you have never jogged before or if you just want to get more active, Couch to 3K is an easy way of getting more energy and feeling healthier. This programme is for everyone, who would like to get from walking to jogging, but might be a little unsure on how to get started. The programme works because it is not just focused on running, it starts with a mix of walking and jogging to gradually build up your fitness & stamina. It is aimed at beginners and based on your time and ability to participate.

How will it Work?

Firstly, you just sign up through Eventbrite at the following link: https://dlr-couch-to-3k-april.eventbrite.ie

We will then contact you by email outlining all you need to know. Each week you will be sent the Training Plan, Warm Up, Cool Down exercises as well as other helpful and motivational tips. You will invited to a WhatsApp group to help keep you motivated and guide you through the programme. We will also check in with you to see how you are getting on and we are always available to answer any queries you have throughout the 6-week programme.

What is the Training Plan?

The plan involves 3 sessions of mixing brisk walking with jogging each week, with a day of rest in between. There is a different schedule each week building up your fitness and stamina to complete the end goal of reaching a 3K as per the plan. We will send that on to you every week with exactly what you will have to do.

What are the Benefits?

There are plenty of benefits from getting into jogging. For starters, It is an easy way of improving your physical health. It requires little equipment, but a good pair of runners will help improve comfort and foot support.

Jogging regularly will improve the health of your heart and lungs. It can also help you lose weight, especially if combined with a healthy diet. There’s evidence it may help increase bone density in some people, which can protect against bone diseases like osteoporosis. There are also mental benefits of exercising outdoors. Taking on the challenge of Couch to 3K can help boost your confidence and self-belief, as you prove to yourself that you can set yourself a target and achieve a goal. Exercising regularly through activities like jogging can also be a great stress reliever and has even been shown to help combat depression.

*If returning to exercise or have any concerns about your health, please contact your GP before starting this programme.

*Please ensure to keep to within your local area and social distancing is always adhered to.

Sport Ireland Questionnaire

Sport Ireland are currently undertaking a review of the Coaching Development Programme for Ireland to ensure that it remains relevant to the needs of coaches, instructors and leaders and the players, athletes and participants they engage with. As part of the review, we have engaged Humphrey Murphy from Irish Leisure Consultants to set up and run a stakeholder consultation process. We are now looking for your assistance in this process.

It is important that we get as many responses from as wide a cross section of people as possible. Details are on the Sport Ireland Website at this link

The questionnaire will remain open until Tuesday 7th April.