The Kerry Local Sports Partnership (KLSP) was established to co-ordinate and promote the development of sport at a local level. It is a substructure of the County Development. The key aims of KLSP are to increase participation in sport and to ensure that local resources are used to best effect. recognition in December 2003. The partnership comprises of representatives from both state and voluntary sectors. The four representatives’ form Kerry County Community and Voluntary Forum provide the vital link between the Partnership and volunteers at the forefront of sports delivery in the county. The partnership members include

ü      Kerry Education Service/VEC;

ü      Kerry County Council;

ü      Institute of Technology, Tralee;

ü      The Community and Voluntary Forum;

ü       Kerry Diocesan Youth Service;

ü      The Education Centre Tralee;

ü      Local Development Sector;

ü      Irish National Teachers Organisation;

ü       Kerry Network of People with Disabilities;

ü      Health Service Executive Southern  Area

ü      Garda Síochana.

There are currently 16 sport partnerships in the country: Kerry, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Fingal, Kildare, Laois, Limerick City, Meath, North Tipperary, Roscommon, Sligo, Waterford, Westmeath, Kilkenny and Mayo.

The year 2004 marked the first full year of KLSP as a partnership endorsed and funded by the Irish Sports Council. It also witnessed the compilation of the first strategic plan for sport in Kerry. The plan was developed through a wide public consultation process and incorporated the actions for Kerry Local Sports Partnership in Meitheal Chiarraí. The strategic plan was launched in Killarney by the Minister for Arts Sports and Tourism John O Donoghue.

To date the Partnership has:

·        launched a Sports Roadshow to disseminate information on sporting opportunities in the county

·        completed a countywide facilities audit

·        took over the responsibility of allocating the Sport for Young People Grants Scheme

·        made contact with and received support from a number of National Governing Bodies in Sport

·        coaching courses held locally in a variety of sports

·        support in establishing new clubs in various areas around the country

·        involvement in hosting Ireland first and second Adapted Physical Activity Conference

·        production of an exercise DVD for people with disabilities

·        organised Try a Sport for a Day in association with Tralee Sports Complex

·        number of new clubs were supported including American football, rowing, baseball

Strategy Plan 2005/2007

PROGRAMMES

Buntús

This is a primary school sports/ PE initiative to support teachers in the delivery of both curriculum PE and extra curriculum sporting programmes. The Buntús programme is co-ordinated nationally, by the Irish Sports Council, sponsored by Super Valu and delivered locally, by local sports partnerships. The programme has various strands:

      Buntús Start

      Buntús Play -  which is specifically for children aged 4-9 years involves the development of fundamental motor skills

      Buntús Multi Sport - which caters for 7-11 year olds focuses on invasion games and net/wall games

      Buntús Sport – which is specific to individual sports and caters for 7-11 year olds

The programmes offers

      Appropriate child – friendly sports equipment

      Resource cards that can be integrated into the PE curriculum and after schools setting 

      Training for teachers to assist with Buntús delivery 

To date 52 schools have completed the Buntús programme. As these schools have completed the Generic Buntús they are now eligible to participate in the FAI Buntús programme. The FAI is the first NGB to recognise the value of the Buntús programme.  The FAI programme aims to teach kids basic soccer skills and to develop progression from fun soccer activities to mini soccer games.

Annual Report 2004

Action for Life

This is a health related exercise programme delivered by the HSE targeting primary schools. It provides a valuable, practical and easy to use educational resource package to assist teachers in planning and teaching physical education in primary schools. It aims to motivate young people to lead healthy and active lifestyles and to provide and encourage opportunities to participate in meaningful physical activity and the programme includes resource materials and training for teachers.

Action for Everybody

This is an extension on the Action for Life programme. It outlines how to adapt to the Action for Life for use with children with special needs i.e. for children with mobility or other physical disabilities .Workshops were held for teachers to support them in including kids with special needs.

Code of Ethics

”The Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children's Sport in Ireland” is a joint initiative between the Irish Sports Council and the Sports Council for Northern Ireland. It is for the benefit of everyone involved in children's sport - children, parents/guardians Sports Leaders, teachers etc. By following the principles, policy and practice guidelines contained in the Code, adult sport leaders are playing their part in providing an enjoyable and safe environment in which children can learn and thrive.  
Code of Ethics workshops take place on a regular basis throughout the county. For details on the next workshop or to organise one for your club or organisation please contact Imelda Roche at imelda.roche@kerrycoco.ie or at 0667183794, 

This is just a sampler of the programmes that the KLSP run. For more information on our initiatives   please view our Strategic Plan or our Annual Report for 2004 using the links provided.