All those statutory bodies, organisations and groups operating in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown with a responsibility for or interest in sports participation and development are invited to participate in the DLR Sports Partnership. This includes the involvement of the Local Authority, ETB, HSE, education sector, sports clubs/organisations and voluntary/community groups.
The following individuals make up the current membership of the Board (or Steering Group) of DLR Sports Partnership (2023):
| Organisation | Representative |
|---|---|
| DLR Sports Forum | Pat Smith (Chairperson) |
| DLR Leisure | Niall Cull (Vice Chairperson) |
| DLR Sports Partnership | Shane McArdle (Secretary) |
| DLR Sports Forum | Pat Finnerty |
| UCD Sports Centre | Suzanne Bailey |
| Blackrock Education Centre | Niamh Murray |
| Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council | Barry Dempsey |
| Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Councillor | Cllr. Lorraine Hall |
| Dublin & Dún Laoghaire Education & Training Board | Aoife Heffernan |
| Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Councillor | Cllr. Pierce Dargan |
| Network for Older People | John O’Neill |
| HSE (Health Promotion & Improvement) | Jim Gorman |
| IWA Sport | Joanne Wall |
It is the mission of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to deliver high quality services and infrastructure, which contribute to a better social, physical, economic and cultural environment for all who live in, work in and visit the County. With regards to sport and physical activity a core objective of the Council is to become a facilitator and provider of facilities and sports development services in order to contribute significantly in increasing participation in sport, leisure and recreation.
Dublin & Dún Laoghaire ETB Youth and Sport Development Services is one of the largest youth services in the country. It provides a wide range of supports that enable the delivery of educational, recreational and developmental programmes, projects and services to disadvantaged young people through partnerships with voluntary groups, voluntary youth organisations and other national service providers. As well as financial supports Sport Development Service provides co-ordination, advice, training and information. We are also responsible for monitoring and evaluating youth provisions in the region.
The Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Chamber of Commerce consists of local business representatives who join together to promote the economic and social development of their community in order to make it a better place in which to live, work and do business. Membership ranges from some of the world’s largest multi-national companies to small start-ups and local traders.
Blackrock Education Centre facilitates professional and personal development opportunities for teachers, schools, boards of management, parents and the wider educational community. Meaningful, relevant and innovative developmental opportunities, in line with national and international best practice, are provided in a constructive, nurturing and positive learning atmosphere.
Health promotion is defined as the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve their health. Within the community setting, its primary objective is to enable and empower communities and individuals to have greater influence over factors that affect their health. A strong focus on inter-sectoral collaboration, partnership, and capacity building, is essential to achieve this objective. Through the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Sports Partnership, the health promotion department will aim to deliver holistic, equitable, and sustainable health promoting initiatives that will enhance positive health and prevent ill health.
UCD Sport and UCD Sport & Fitness currently provides health, sport and exercise opportunities for students, staff and the wider community. Most of these opportunities are offered to students at a reduced rate (full cost covered by UCD Sport), while external users are permitted to use many of the UCD sports facilities and services at allocated times on a fee-paying basis. Key objectives with regards to participation include up-skilling of student administrators and coaches so that they can work effectively in the community upon graduation and continue to make its facilities available to local sports and community groups.
Set up in 2008 by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Sports Partnership, the Sports Forum provides the over 250 clubs in the County an important information sharing and development resource. Every sports club based in the county can nominate an individual to represent it on the Sports Forum where members tackle areas of mutual interest, discover methods of overcoming issues and identifying best practice. This group allows for better communication between clubs and act as a coordinated voice for local level sports clubs in the County. In addition three individuals are nominated by this group to sit on the Board of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Sports Partnership. Meeting takes place 3 or 4 times a year.
The goal of IWA-Sport is to create opportunities for persons with a physical disability to participate in sport and recreation at a level of their choice. Key objectives include increasing participation at all levels and first time exposure to wheelchair sports and to provide opportunities for different levels of participation from individual recreational sports to competitive events. IWA-Sport works closely with and offers support to other NGB’s and agencies, including the Local Sports Partnership, to facilitate people with a physical disability to participate in their programmes.
DLR Leisure was established by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and has among its principal functions to plan, lead and coordinate the sustainable development of Council owned leisure facilities in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County. Through its various leisure facilities around the County the company provides quality affordable leisure for the community.
The Network works in co-operation with the Community Section of Dun Loaghaire Rathdown County Council to enhance the longevity, quality of life and care provision for the older citizens in the County. One of its key objectives is to work with other associations and to speak with a unified voice in matters of concern for older people in the area.