Minister for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne, launched an exciting new project for the Drogheda and East Meath area on Wednesday of this week which aims to deliver on the objectives of the Drogheda Implementation Plan through the medium of Sport and Physical Activity. 

The project, it’s called ‘SportUile’, which has secured multi-annual funding from Sport Ireland and the Local Authorities in both Louth and Meath is a collaboration between the Local Sports Partnership`s in Meath and Louth. The funding was secured on the strength of a proposal put forward by the two Sports Partnerships, entitled ‘Driving Change Through Sport’. 

The 5 year project, endorsed by the Drogheda Implementation Board, has initially secured €200,000 per year, for the first three years from Sport Ireland to employ three Sports Development staff to work directly in the communities of Drogheda and East Meath. Meath and Louth County Councils will each provide an additional €60,000 in funding to support the work of SportUile in these communities. 

SportUile by its very name, encompasses unity, bringing together the different sectors of community life. It is a bi-lingual title where Sport represents the vehicle for change and “Uile” meaning all/everyone…Uile go leir as Gaeilge. The project will provide support, opportunities and initiatives that are proven to improve physical and mental health, reduce crime levels, provide positive outlets for people of all ages and abilities, and in doing so, bring communities closer together. 

Cathaorleach of Meath County Council, Sharon Tolan commented “the launch today, sees the culmination of considerable work by Meath and Louth LSPs with the support of the Drogheda Implementation Board in bringing this innovative project, SportUile to the Drogheda East Meath area.  

SportUile, the Driving Change Through Sport project focusses on a community sports-led, collaborative approach to community safety and wellbeing.  

I would like to applaud the strategic visioning demonstrated by Sport Ireland and in particular the Minister for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne, Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, Meath and Louth County Councils, LMETB and Drogheda Implementation Board.  This is a cross agency, project that shows strength, leadership and strategic thinking – SportUile is what we need to focus on, to bring about those desired changes in our local communities. We can achieve this by continuing to work together - Ní neart go cur le chéile.”  

Cathaorleach of Louth County Council Kevin Callan said “SportUile will use sport and physical activity as a mechanism for change. It`s a community, sports led approach that will help deliver on many of the objectives in the Drogheda Implementation Plan. 

It will help build stronger, safer and healthier communities in Drogheda and East Meath areas”.

Michael Keogh, Chairperson of the Drogheda Implementation Board, said: “the Drogheda Implementation Board very much welcomes the launch of SportUile today which addresses a number of actions in the Drogheda Implementation Plan.  

“It will provide much needed support to local sporting clubs and organisations in providing more opportunities for sporting and physical activities which will help develop safer and more vibrant communities and is another real example of improved interagency cooperation which a real feature of the work of the members of the Board has been and sub groups.”  

Sport Ireland CEO Dr. Una May said: “Every day, in communities across the country, Sport Ireland continues to help people get active by removing barriers to participation in sport and physical activity through our network of Local Sports Partnerships and Governing Bodies. 

This important project is a catalyst for community engagement and change and will help ensure everyone in the community has the chance to be included in getting physically active and involved in support”. 

In closing the launch, CEO of Meath LSP, Mary Murphy and Head of Sport in Louth LSP & Louth Co Co, Graham Russell welcomed the funding announcement, stating “this project will not only compliment the work of the two LSP’s but bring additionality to the delivery of targeted programmes to the people living in the Drogheda & East Meath areas. 

“The SportUile project will bring about long-term, sustainable impacts and increased physical and pro social activity in the Drogheda/East Meath area. Investment in sport and using sport as the driver to bring about these changes is innovative; the leadership shown by the various stakeholders  in this project really needs to be commended. 

“Sport has long been considered a valuable tool for fostering important human values and can be used as a mechanism to promote, among others, respect, teamwork, a sense of belonging and community, tolerance, diversity, and inclusion. We look forward to working closely with those communities and key stakeholders and developing the SportUile project over the coming five years”.