New four-year Offaly sports plan nears completion

By Rebekah O'Reilly

A new plan being finalised on behalf of Offaly County Council will aim to support increased participation in sport and physical activity in the county between now and 2030.

A draft of the Offaly Sport and Physical Activity Plan, 2026-2030, was outlined to councillors at a recent meeting by Eamon Henry of Offaly Sports Partnership.

The meeting was told that the plan will "mark a new departure for sports planning" in the Faithful County.

The council said the plan aims to strengthen its partnership with Offaly Sports Partnership, community voluntary organisations, sporting clubs, schools, State agencies, and national stakeholders to deliver "positive and lasting" outcomes.

The new plan is built on four primary pillars: active people and communities, active spaces and places, innovation and sporting pathways, and effective partnerships and communications.

It intends to provide a roadmap to increased participation, improve access to facilities and programmes, support volunteerism and community leadership, strengthen communication and awareness, enhance evidence-based planning and advocacy, and faster greater collaboration across all sectors involved in sport and physical activity.

The meeting heard that, in preparation for the plan, the local authority engaged with over 180 stakeholders, and received a response from over 2,500 people to four public consultation surveys.

The new Offaly Sport and Physical Activity Plan aims to address activity as it relates to the different stages of life. It includes actions for children under the age of one, pregnant women, adults living with chronic conditions and disability, and older adults over the age of 65.

"The guidelines recognise that health benefits can be achieved through a range of activities, and that every movement contributes to improved health and wellbeing," the draft Sport and Physical Activity Plan reads.

Eamon Henry noted that this plan marks the first occasion in which gymnastics has been included in the county's sports plan, which came as a result of consultation with schools locally.

"It's the first time gymnastics has been mentioned in the sports plan. Everyone recognises the need for it," he said. "Gymnastics is so important, but it is also an expensive intervention."

He told councillors it was "going to cost" to implement the new plan.

Eamon also highlighted the importance of providing opportunities to potential "future international superstars".

"We have seen on so many occasions people who say there's a future international superstar in schools, and they fall by the wayside. They're missing the support. It is an area we're looking at in the next 4 or 5 years."

Commending the plan, Cllr John Leahy said Offaly is a county that always supported sports. "We see the value of a small county, we pride ourselves in sports no matter what it is, we want to keep that culture in our counties," he said.

Cllr Peter Ormond credited the volunteers who keep local clubs going, saying: "We're very fortunate in our county to have such dedicated volunteers. We have made great progress and strides in relation to communication and collaboration."

Cllr Eleanor Clendennen noted that the plan "includes everyone, from a young age to retirement," and added: "It's not all about competition, it's about inclusion and the social element of it."

Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick added that the plan will give more people opportunities. "It's something we need to support.

Sport across this county is very very strong. It brings us all together."

Councillors also paid tribute to Eamon Henry for his dedication to Offaly sports over the past 20 years.

"You have made your mark in those 20 years, you've achieved so much," said Cllr Ollie Bryant.