Meath Local Sports Partnership recognised for its commitment to the inclusion of people with a disability in sport and physical activity.
#JourneyOfInclusion at Inaugural National Xcessible Awards
Meath local Sports Partnership has been awarded the Bronze National Xcessible Award by Active Disability Ireland at the inaugural National Xcessible Awards on April 30th at the Johnstown House Hotel, County Meath. The prestigious event marked a powerful celebration of inclusion in sport, honouring five years of hard work and dedication by National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) and Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) across Ireland.
The National Xcessible Awards were created to recognise and celebrate the ongoing commitment to inclusion within the Irish sporting sector. They are a testament to the collective 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, tremendous progress has been made to ensure people with disabilities have equal opportunities to participate in sport and physical activity — and the Xcessible Awards shine a well-deserved spotlight on that transformative work.
“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 Disability Ireland. “We’re incredibly proud to host this event and to celebrate the outstanding contributions of so many enthusiastic individuals and organisations.”
Speaking at the awards, Meath LSP`s Sport Disability inclusion Officer, Terry Donegan said that the Xcessible Award programme is shaped around five key pillars – Openness, People, Facilities, Activities, and Promotion – with each representing a cornerstone of inclusive practice. He went on to say that this award represents the commitment shown by the entire team in Meath LSP (staff and board members), our partners – Meath County Council, Sport Ireland, the HSE and our excellent tutors who prioritise inclusivity in all programmes and approaches to the development of sport and physical activity in Meath. This commitment is demonstrated in the number of people with disability who engage annually with our programmes.
Chairperson of Meath LSP, Cllr. Gerry O Connor congratulated Terry on his commitmemt and passion to the area of inclusion. He was delighted that the efforts of Meath LSP were recognised and commended the entire staff team who have demonstrated excellence, innovation, and a deep commitment to making sport and physical activity more accessible for all.
Another highlight of the evening for Meath, was the presentation of Xcessible Special Recognition Award to CEO of Canoeing Ireland, meath woman, Moira Aston. This award acknowledges exceptional dedication to the principles of inclusion and accessibility in sport to both organisations and individuals.
“This day is about celebrating the people and organisations that have made inclusion a priority,” said Brian O’Callaghan, Chairperson of Active Disability Ireland. “Their work is changing lives, breaking down barriers, and making sport and physical activity truly welcoming for everyone.”
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. Nikki recognised the efforts of NGBs and LSPs in fostering an inclusive culture, both within their organisations and in the wider community. “Fostering a positive and inclusive environment across the sector is essential to creating greater opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate in physical activity and sport. Nikki acknowledged that true inclusion is not about ticking boxes, and highlighted the Xcessible Programme as a valuable resource to help organisations take meaningful, impactful steps toward genuine inclusivity.”