The Ballinasloe Community Sports Hub is launched

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Pictured at the launch of the Ballinasloe Community Sports Hub (left to right) Andrew Mc Bride and Loraine Treacy (Galway Sports Partnership), Cllr Michael Connolly and Cllr Evelyn Parsons (Galway County Council), Jason Craughwell and Tommy Peoples (Galway Sports Partnership) and Ciarán Cafferkey (Sport Ireland). Credit Gerry Stronge Photography.

A new community-based initiative to promote health, wellbeing and physical activity in the East Galway area has been officially launched in Ballinasloe.

The Ballinasloe Community Sports Hub is poised to become a central pillar in the local sports landscape for the next five years, serving as a hub for collaboration, development and inclusivity.

Funded by Sport Ireland through the Dormant Account Fund, the project’s key mission is to increase participation in sport and physical activity by all members of the community irrespective of age, ability or background.

The Sports Hub will be particularly focused on encouraging participation among people in disadvantaged areas, by creating more opportunities for people in local communities to be physically active.

Formally launching the Hub, Councillor Michael Connolly, Cathaoirleach of the Ballinasloe Municipal District commented, “The Community Sports Hub is a huge opportunity for the community to build on the great work already being done by clubs and physical activity groups and to amplify usage of the excellent facilities the area already has on offer.”

Loraine Treacy, Coordinator for the Ballinasloe Community Sports Hub said, “It is a real honour to oversee this brand-new Hub in Ballinasloe. I know from first-hand experience the benefits of community development and the benefits associated with physical activity.”

“I look forward to working with the people of Ballinasloe and introducing sustainable and meaningful changes in this area.”

The launch coincided with a “Health, Well-Being and Physical Activity”, hosted by Galway Rural Development Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme (SICAP).

During this health and wellbeing organisations displayed displayed what they have to offer the local community, and networked with each other to collaborate on initiatives to promote health, well-being and physical activity in Ballinasloe.