Making Waves: Kinsale Sailability Community Welcome Sport Ireland Participation Unit and Minister to Launch New Accessible Safety Boat.
Cork Sports Partnership, Kinsale Yacht Club and Kinsale Sailability were delighted to welcome Minster of State with special responsibility for Disability, Ann Rabbitte to Kinsale on June 17th.
The purpose of Minister Rabbitte’s visit was to be introduced to the Kinsale Sailability programme participants, volunteers, and families of people with disabilities, while also unveiling the 6 new boats recently purchase with support from Cork Sports Partnership through the Dormant Accounts.
Addressing the attendees at the launch, Minister Rabbitte commented, “It is a pleasure to be here to meet you all, and to see what Inclusion looks like. I’m amazing to see the scope of the work and sporting opportunities you offer to people with disabilities here. Sport breaks down barriers and can offer people with and without disabilities many opportunities to participate alongside one another, while also creating community and connections. Cork is an example of best practice in disability Inclusion in sport, and as one of the priorities of the government is diversity and inclusion in Sport, I plan on bringing my experience back to Minister Byrne and highlighting what is possible for people with disabilities in Sport and physical activity.”
Minister Rabbitte was not the only enthusiastic visitor to the sailability programme in recent months. Back in March, the club also welcomed members of Sport Ireland’s Participation unit, Louise Burke – Director of Participation, Oisín Foley – Partnerships Manager and Joanne Kennedy – Participation Executive, who were eager to hear first-hand experiences about the accessible programme, meet the stakeholders involved and sign a service level agreement for the new safety boat in Person. Through the Dormant Accounts Fund, with the support of local donors and with the support of Cork Sports Partnership, Kinsale Yacht Club secured funding to purchase an accessible safety/support boat as a well as 5 new training boats. These boats will enable people with disabilities to enjoy the freedom of sailing and compete against able competitors in competition.
Kristine Meenaghan, Coordinator with Cork Sports Partnership said ‘Clubs like Kinsale Yacht Club are leading the way in terms of disability inclusion, and we are delighted to be working with Donal and the team in Kinsale Yacht Club to maximise participation opportunities for people of all abilities to enjoy what the water and sailing has to offer. These boats will be a tremendous boost to the Sailability programme and we look forward to the positive impact it will have for the club’.
Contact:
For more information on any of the of the inclusive programmes, please contact Sports Inclusion Disability Officer, Cliona choran@corksports.ie or visit www.corksportsability.ie
