FORMER Kerry GAA star and former minister, Jimmy Deenihan has taken up the position of Chairperson of the Kerry Recreation and Sports Partnership.
Jimmy Deenihan said he was honoured to be taking up the role: “I am passionate about sport and recreation and all of the enormous benefits they bring for participants and the wider community. Very shortly we will be publishing a new sports and recreation strategy for the county and I look forward to working with the stakeholders in promoting our programme of work in the years ahead.”
Kerry Recreation and Sports Partnership comprises representatives from a range of organisations and agencies in Kerry, all working towards increasing participation rates in sport and physical activity, whilst developing and delivering sport and physical activity at a local level.
The Partnership includes representatives of An Garda Síochána, Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, HSE, ITT, Kerry County Childcare Committee, Kerry County Council, KDYS, Kerry Education and Training Board, the Primary Principal Schools Network, Public Participation Network, South Kerry Development Partnership, and representatives from the business and leisure sectors.
A number of successful programmes associated with the Partnership include Go For Life (for older people), Kerry’s Safer Cycling Programme (primary school children), ‘parkruns’, and Swim for All (for people with disabilities).
Welcoming Jimmy Deenihan’s appointment as Chairperson, the Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Michael O’Shea said he would bring a wealth of experience to the role which would be combined with his passion for sport and recreational pursuits.
“Kerry County Council is proud to play a key role in the Kerry Recreation and Sports Partnership and I want to acknowledge the valuable work the Partnership is doing in promoting sport, recreation and physical activity in the county through the support of Sport Ireland. Jimmy Deenihan will bring additional vision and drive to the board and I have no doubt his appointment to this role will have a very positive impact,” said Cllr O’Shea.