Cara Sport Inclusion Ireland Launch Xcessible Club Toolkit
Cara Sport Inclusion Ireland have launched the new Xcessible Club Toolkit that will guide sports clubs to overcome the challenges experienced by people with disabilities who want to engage in sport and physical activity.
The toolkit is a guided resource that will empower sports clubs to positively and meaningfully provide opportunities for people with disabilities to take part in sport and physical activity at club level through a structured, staged approach.
Sport and physical activity play such an important role in peoples’ lives, contributing positively to their physical, mental and social wellbeing.
Unfortunately, people with a disability are often underrepresented in sport. Research from the Irish Sports Monitor (2019) suggests that people with disabilities in Ireland are less likely to be involved in Sport. Just over a third (35%) of those who have a disability in Ireland are involved socially in sport as club members, volunteers, and /or regularly attending sports events, compared to half (50%) of those without a disability.
Cara Sport Inclusion Ireland, recognise how valuable participation sport and physical activity can be for people with disabilities, whether that be through playing, participating, volunteering, coaching, officiating etc. there is a role for everyone in their local sports club.
The Xcessible Club Toolkit, supported by Sport Ireland, aims to support sports clubs to facilitate the many benefits that people with disabilities can enjoy within their community such as; belonging to a group, the opportunity to volunteer, to make new friends, to learn a new skill, to develop leadership & coaching expertise as well as improving social, physical and mental wellbeing.
Minister Jack Chambers said:
“It is so important that people with disabilities have the opportunity to take part in sport and physical activity and enjoy the many benefits associated; physically, mentally and socially. I am delighted to see that Cara Sport Inclusion Ireland have developed this toolkit. So many sports clubs across the country will benefit greatly from the toolkit which will guide and empower them to become more inclusive of people with disabilities.”
Una May, CEO of Sport Ireland said:
“Sport and physical activity play such an important role in peoples’ lives; I am excited to see a guided resource available to the sector to support sports clubs in becoming more inclusive. There is a role for everyone in their local sports club and this toolkit will empower clubs to positively and meaningfully provide opportunities for people with disabilities to take part in sport and physical activity at a local level. The toolkit is supported by Sport Ireland and is available to download now on the Cara website now.”
CEO of Cara Sport Inclusion Ireland, Niamh Daffy added:
“We are delighted to build on the success of the Xcessible programme for National Governing Bodies of Sport and Local Sports Partnerships in launching a new Xcessible toolkit to support local clubs as they increase their sports offerings for people with disabilities."
“This toolkit is built on the living experience as shared by people with disabilities and simply asks all clubs to consider five key principles to providing greater awareness, access and opportunities within their sports at local level. Through this initiative we are delighted to continue to work with Sport Ireland in supporting the Sport for All government agenda across Ireland.”
The toolkit and supporting resources are available here.