The Irish Sports Council was established in July 1999 under the Irish Sports Council Act. In response to the functions ascribed and the requirements of the Act, the Irish Sports Council produced its first Statement of Strategy, A New Era for Sport in 2000. During the period covered by this strategy, the Irish Sports Council established its first twelve Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs). In their second strategy – Sport for Life – the ISC again supported the continued expansion of the LSP network, with a further four LSPs established in 2004. Since the publication of the current strategy; Building Sport for Life 2006-2008, the remaining 17 LSP’s have been established and there is now full national coverage. The Irish Sports Council has since been renamed Sport Ireland and they continue to fund and act as the national lead for the network of Local Sports Partnerships across the country.
The Local Sports Partnership initiative is set up to act as a forum for sport at a local level which is charged with improving opportunities to participate in sport for every member of the community. The key aims of the LSPs are to increase participation in sport and to ensure that local resources are used to best effect.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Sports Partnership was set up in 2008. DLR Sports Partnership works closely with the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s Sports Development Office and other key partners to promote participation, inclusion and coordination in sport at a local level.
All those statutory bodies, organisations and groups operating in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown with a responsibility for or interest in sports development are invited to participate in the Local Sports Partnership. This includes the involvement of the Local Authority, Education & Training Board, HSE, third level sector, sports clubs, schools and local voluntary/community organisations.