Major success for Mayo Sports Partnership at national awards

Active Disability Ireland was delighted to host the inaugural national Xcessible awards on April 30 at The Johnstown House Hotel in County Meath. The prestigious event marked a powerful celebration in sport, honouring five years of hard work and dedication by National Governing Bodies of sport (NGB’s) and local sports partnerships (LSP’s) across Ireland.

Mayo Sports Partnership scooped three awards, being the only Sports Partnership in the country to achieve both the bronze and silver accolade to a special recognition award in ensuring access to inclusive and accessible environments.

The national Xcessible awards were created to recognise and celebrate the ongoing commitment to inclusion within the Irish sector. The award ceremony is a testament to the efforts being made nationwide to ensure that people with disabilities have equal opportunities to participate in all aspects of sport and physical activity. Over the past five years, progress has been made in terms of equal opportunities for people with disabilities. 

“These awards are more than recognition, they are a celebration of meaningful change and a reflection of our shared vision for an inclusive sporting landscape in Ireland” said Brenda O’Donnell CEO of active disabilities Ireland. “We’re incredibly proud to host this event and to celebrate the outstanding contributions of so many passionate individuals and organisations”

The programme was shaped around five key pillars of the Xcessible programme which are openness, people, facilities, activities and promotion with each representing a cornerstone of inclusive practice. The awards were presented to commend those who have demonstrated excellence, innovation and a deep commitment to making sport and physical activity more accessible for all.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of Xcessible special recognition awards, which acknowledged both organisations and individuals exceptional dedication to the principles of inclusion and accessibility in sport.

“All of us in Mayo Sports Partnership are delighted we are being recognised for all the collaborative effort with many organisations to improve participation by people with a disability in sport and physical activity” said sports partnership head, Charlie Lambert. “A special word for our sports inclusion disability officer Ray McNamara who has worked so hard in this area along with all the sports partnership team, committee and partners”. 

The event was closed by Senator Nikki Bradley who spoke about her own experiences in sport and physical activity as a person with a disability. “Fostering a positive and inclusive environment across the sector is essential,” Bradley stated, as she recognised the efforts of NGB’s and LSP’s in fostering an inclusive culture, both within their organisations and in the wider community.

For more information on the Xcessible programme or to begin your organisation’s inclusion journey, visit www.activedisability.ie

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