A NEW six-year strategy for the further development and promotion of recreation, sport and physical activity in the county has been launched in Tralee by the Minister of State at the Department of Tourism and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD.
The launch at Siamsa Tíre featured two panel discussions on various aspects of sports policy and how best to promote recreation and more active lifestyles in the county.
Among the guest speakers for the panel discussions on the benefits of sport and physical activity were former rugby international, Keith Wood, Kerry senior football manager, Éamonn Fitzmaurice, world champion swimmer Ellen Keane, and Gavin Hennigan, who achieved a record-breaking 5,000km solo row across the Atlantic.
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The launch of the new Kerry Recreation and Sports Partnership Strategic Plan 2017- 2022 was attended by the Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, John Treacy, the Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Michael O’Shea, the Chief Executive of Kerry County Council, Moira Murrell and the many agencies which are represented on the KRSP board.
The new plan focuses on the mission of the KRSP to increase participation in sport and physical activity by people of all ages and abilities in Kerry. Three key inter-related themes have been identified – participation, partnership and governance, and profile – with the aim of further developing the combined potential of stakeholders and providers in getting the active more active and the less active, active.
Chairperson of the Kerry Recreation and Sports Partnership, Jimmy Deenihan said it was a plan for everyone: ‘The objective here is to maximise the number of people leading an active lifestyle and I am confident that it will have an impact on the health of people in the county. Kerry has so much to offer in terms of recreation and physical activity which is all linked to improved physical health and well-being,’ he said.