Watersports Project 20092011

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Watersports Project 2009-2011

• Regional Launch
• Ballina, Co. Tipperary
• 30th April 2009

Marie Collins Project Manager Mid-West Regional
Authority
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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

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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

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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)

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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 - gt 40 clubs in region
• Sailing, rowing, canoeing, surfing, powerboating,
  sub-aqua
• Affiliated with Irish Sailing Association/Irish
  Canoe Union

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Environment

• Improving environmental credentials of Clubs
  Centres
• Energy conservation
• Energy Agencies Monitoring Programme
  Awareness Campaign
• Developing Environmental Training Modules
• Sporting Federations Leave No Trace
• Train the Trainer Courses
• Conservation water quality / habitats
• Fish Stocks/Wildlife
• Lough Derg Heritage Project

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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

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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
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Contact Details

• Marie Collins
• Project Manager
• Mid-West Regional Authority
• A Friar Court, Abbey Street, Nenagh, Co.
  Tipperary
• T 067 33197 / 37353
• E mcollins_at_mwra.ie
• W www.mwra.ie