Transcript No Slide Title - Mid-West Regional Authority

Watersports Project 2009-2011
Regional Launch
Ballina, Co. Tipperary
30th April 2009
Marie Collins
Project Manager
Mid-West Regional Authority
NEA
Nautisme Espace Atlantique
Watersports in the Atlantic Area
European Network of Local &
Regional Authorities/Agencies
responsible for the promotion
and development of
watersports in their
territories
NEA 2 – follow-on initiative
www.nea2.eu
2
Watersports Project




NEA 2 – co-funded by INTERREG IVB Atlantic Area
France Lead Partner – Brittany
23 Partners from 5 EU Countries: Ireland, UK, France,
Portugal & Spain
Irish Partners:

Mid-West Regional Authority
Irish Canoe Union
Ards Borough Council

Irish Sailing Association – associated Partners



Duration: January 2009 – December 2011
3
Mid-West Region




North Tipperary, Clare
Limerick Counties
Limerick City
Population: 361,028
(2006)
Dominated by water



Lakes (Lough Derg, Lough Gur,
Ballyalla Lake)
Rivers (River Shannon, Fergus)
Coastline (200km)
4
Watersports in the Mid-West

Longstanding tradition of sailing, surfing & rowing







Sailing on Lough Derg since 1835
Surfing in West Clare 50 years
Rowing in Limerick since 1866
In European terms low activity on our lakes
Watersports slow to develop over the years
Low numbers of locals engaging in watersports –
opportunities for increased activity
Increase in the number of watersports clubs in
recent years - > 40 clubs in region


Sailing, rowing, canoeing, surfing, powerboating, sub-aqua…
Affiliated with Irish Sailing Association/Irish Canoe Union
5
Work Programme 2009-2011




Inter-regional Cooperation Project
Promotion & Marketing of Watersports
Sailing, Canoeing, Surfing, Rowing, Kayaking,
Scuba Diving, Powerboating…
3 Main Actions



Economy
Environment
Social Inclusion
6
Economy

Inventory of watersport offer in MW region


Building on existing initiatives/databases
Online Guide to Watersports

Currently disjointed & available from different sources
Aim: To provide one central online resource for user








Promote watersports products on offer
User Guide to Watersports: Beginners – Intermediate – Advanced
Course information – day courses
Equipment Hire – costs
Water Access – slip ways; moorings
Watersports & Safety
Watersports & The Enviroment
Promote & Market MW Region as location for Competitions
7
Existing Promotion Initiatives




Discover Ireland
www.discoverireland.ie/shannon
Shannon Region Trails – water trails
www.shannonregiontrails.ie
Waterways Ireland:
www.waterwaysireland.org/shannon
Discover Lough Derg
www.discoverloughderg.ie
8
9
10
11
NEA 2



Opportunity for Mid-West Region to market All
Watersports in one location
Promote within NEA 2 Network – France, UK,
Spain & Portugal
Broaden across Europe
12
Environment

Improving environmental credentials of Clubs &
Centres



Developing Environmental Training Modules



Sporting Federations & Leave No Trace
Train the Trainer Courses
Conservation – water quality / habitats


Energy conservation
Energy Agencies – Monitoring Programme & Awareness Campaign
Fish Stocks/Wildlife
Lough Derg Heritage Project
13
Social Inclusion



Increase participation of all users on the water
Training Modules for Instructors for People with
Special Needs
Young People through the Schools Programme




Exchange Programme with NEA 2 Regions
Disability Access – increase awareness for
Clubs/Centres
Open Days for Socially Excluded Groups
Improve Employment Opportunities
14
Atlantic Watersports Games 2009




Porto, 1st – 6th August 2009
European Watersports
Competition & Festival
Atlantic/Celtic Regions of
Europe participate
Competitions:




Sailing
Kayaking
Surfing
Rowing
For more information on registration & Games please visit:
www.jniea.eu
15
Contact Details

Marie Collins
Project Manager
Mid-West Regional Authority
A: Friar Court, Abbey Street, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary
T: 067 33197 / 37353
E: [email protected]
W: www.mwra.ie
16