Meath Local Sports Partnership set to be the first in the country to develop a county-wide sustainability programme

Meath Local Sports Partnership is set to be the first local sports partnership in the country to develop a county-wide sustainability programme.

The initiative, in association with specialist agency, Impact 3 Zero, is aimed at promoting sustainability through the county’s grassroots sports clubs has been planned across a three-year period, opening with a ‘Sustainability & Sport’ symposium at Navan’s Solstice Theatre on Saturday 28th January next, engaging Meath’s sports clubs and stakeholders around sustainability.

‘Innovator’ clubs will be selected to take part in a 12-month pilot programme to help identify and develop a ‘sustainability toolkit’ for use across the county.

As sport around the world feels the effects of increased carbon emissions, warming atmosphere and extreme weather, sport offers a unique platform to engage clubs and communities around the key environmental, social and economic issues. In addition to helping Meath clubs operate sustainably, a core vision for the initiative will be to educate and inspire their people, particularly children, around positive, healthy behaviours.

“This initiative sits perfectly with Meath Local Sport Partnership’s aim of ‘More people, more active, more often”, according to Meath LSP senior executive officer, Mary Murphy. “As climate change is already affecting opportunities for sport in the county, we want to help our clubs build a healthy future - one that benefits players, neighbouring communities and the environment.”

Council chief executive, Jackie Maguire, added: “Together with Meath Local Sports Partnership, Meath County Council is committed to promoting sustainable development and respect for the environment in and through sport. To this end, the Council will support and nurture this initiative to help reach communities, participants and fans about sustainability issues and lead the debate on climate change and sport at a local level.”

“We’re delighted to be supporting Meath LSP and the council’s commitment to using sport to promote action around sustainability”, added Patrick Haslett, managing partner of Impact 3 Zero. “We’re excited to help bring this to life for all those connected with sport in the county, particularly for the ultimate benefit of its younger generations.”

Impact 3 Zero is a specialist agency which promotes the power of sport to influence positive social and environmental change. It is a key advisor to sporting bodies, clubs and events including Meath Local Sports Partnership, the Irish Football Association, Horse Racing Ireland, Volleyball Ireland and Norseman Xtreme Triathlon.