Working with children and young people, the Donegal Sports Partnership is committed to increasing participation as the basis for lifelong engagement in sport and physical activity and the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle. Schools are one of most successful vehicles in increasing awareness and participation in sport by children and young people, and as such the DSP will develop a variety of programmes and strategies including Active Schools, Buntús Start and In-service Training for educating staff. The excellent relationships developed with schools at all levels will be vital to this work. Building on previous Strategic Plans, the DSP will continue to work with other partners, including the Health Service Executive, Donegal County Council, Donegal VEC and National Governing Bodies of Sport to develop programs which promote sport and physical activity throughout the education sector.

Buntús Programme

Buntús Start 2 – 5 year age group encourages young children to:

• Learn through physical activity by developing basic movement and ball skills
• Enhancing communication through the visual and verbal interaction involved in developing language and numeracy skills through the use of movement.
• Developing understanding and recognition of colour through equipment and its use in the activities.

This programme is delivered in partnership with the HSE and Donegal County Childcare Committee
 

Buntús Generic (Play & Multisport)

The Buntús Programme is nationally co-ordinated by the Irish Sports Council and locally delivered through the Donegal Sports Partnership. Developed to support Primary School Teachers in support of the Physical Education Curriculum to introduce young people to sport. Its aim is to help children play fairly making sport fun, co-operating and playing as a team. Buntús Play is for the Junior Cycle and Buntús Multi Sport is for the Senior Cycle

The Buntús Programme seeks to:

• Raise the profile of physical education and sport.
• Improve In-service Training opportunities for Teachers.
• Assist Governing Bodies of Sport (NGB’s).
• To develop and deliver appropriate support for Teachers.
• Provide enjoyable and meaningful activity for children.
• Support delivery of the National Curriculum.

Girls Active

Girls Active is a joint programme between the Donegal Sports Partnership, the Health Service Executive (NW) (HSE) and Sligo Sport and Recreational Partnership (SSRP) and Youth Sport West (YSW). The programme aims to increase the number of teenage girls not currently participating in sport or physical activity to get involved in long term regular physical activity through developing more supportive environments in schools. The girls in these schools, with the support of their teachers, organise a range of activities such as dance, swimming, yoga, tai chi, kickboxing and aerobics.

Go for Sport – Sports Hall Athletics

This programme is a partnership between DSP and Athletics Ireland which aims to introduce senior cycle children in primary schools to fundamental athletics or agility balance and coordination activities using indoor sport hall athletics . The key components of the programme include teacher education workshops, delivery of coaching sessions within school sites, regional and national fun competitions

Active Schools Flag

The Active School Flag (ASF) is a Department of Education and Skills initiative which seeks to recognise schools that strive to achieve a physically educated and physically active school community.The ASF initiative is open to Primary, Post Primary, Special Schools and Youthreach Centres to apply.

In order to be awarded the Active School Flag, schools must:

1. 1. Provide the correct PE timetable provision as per DES Guidelines.
2. 2. Inform and invite the whole school community in participate in the ASF process
3. 3. Commit to a process of self-evaluation and review current provision across 15 areas
4. 4. Plan and implement improvements that will enhance PE and physical activity provision for all student

The initiative encourages a partnership approach. It empowers schools to become more proactive in approaching groups like National Governing Bodies (NGBs), Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs), the HSE, Education Centres and the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) to help and support them to develop their PE programmes and to promote physical activity

Sports Leadership Programme

DSP has been recognised by Sports Leaders UK as a centre of excellence for the delivery of awards to young people between the ages of 14 and 17years of age. The sports leader award uses the medium of sport to help young people to lead. Through the programmes they learn to lead, plan, communicate, organise and deliver local sports participation programmes. The programme is an effective tool to help all young people to grow in self confidence and belief helping them in future life.

Ag Sugradh Le Cheile

This programme developed by the HSE, supported by the DSP and is delivered by qualified tutors to promote active play.

The programme aims to:

• Encourage children to be active by promoting Active Play for both children & parents.
• Aimed at Junior Infants to Second Class.
• Part of overall parenting programme offered by HSE (NW) called Ag Fas Le Chéile.
• Training is offered to Primary Schools – where parents are invited in to participate.