1. Watersports Project 2009-2011 Regional Launch Ballina, Co. Tipperary 30 th April 2009 Marie Collins Project Manager Mid-West Regional Authority

2. 2 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

3. 3 Watersports Project l NEA 2 – co-funded by INTERREG IVB Atlantic Area l France Lead Partner – Brittany l 23 Partners from 5 EU Countries: Ireland, UK, France, Portugal & Spain l Irish Partners: l Mid-West Regional Authority l Irish Canoe Union l Ards Borough Council l Irish Sailing Association – associated Partners l Duration: January 2009 – December 2011

4. 4 Mid-West Region l North Tipperary, Clare Limerick Counties l Limerick City l Population: 361,028 (2006) l Dominated by water l Lakes (Lough Derg, Lough Gur, Ballyalla Lake) l Rivers (River Shannon, Fergus) l Coastline (200km)

5. 5 Watersports in the Mid-West l Longstanding tradition of sailing, surfing & rowing l Sailing on Lough Derg since 1835 l Surfing in West Clare 50 years l Rowing in Limerick since 1866 l In European terms low activity on our lakes l Watersports slow to develop over the years l Low numbers of locals engaging in watersports – opportunities for increased activity l Increase in the number of watersports clubs in recent years - > 40 clubs in region l Sailing, rowing, canoeing, surfing, powerboating, sub-aqua… l Affiliated with Irish Sailing Association/Irish Canoe Union

6. 6 Work Programme 2009-2011 l Inter-regional Cooperation Project l Promotion & Marketing of Watersports l Sailing, Canoeing, Surfing, Rowing, Kayaking, Scuba Diving, Powerboating… l 3 Main Actions l Economy l Environment l Social Inclusion

7. 7 Economy l Inventory of watersport offer in MW region l Building on existing initiatives/databases l Online Guide to Watersports l Currently disjointed & available from different sources Aim: To provide one central online resource for user l Promote watersports products on offer l User Guide to Watersports: Beginners – Intermediate – Advanced l Course information – day courses l Equipment Hire – costs l Water Access – slip ways; moorings l Watersports & Safety l Watersports & The Enviroment l Promote & Market MW Region as location for Competitions

8. 8 Existing Promotion Initiatives l Discover Ireland www.discoverireland.ie/shannon l Shannon Region Trails – water trails www.shannonregiontrails.ie l Waterways Ireland: www.waterwaysireland.org/shannon l Discover Lough Derg www.discoverloughderg.ie

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12. 12 NEA 2 l Opportunity for Mid-West Region to market All Watersports in one location l Promote within NEA 2 Network – France, UK, Spain & Portugal l Broaden across Europe

13. 13 Environment l Improving environmental credentials of Clubs & Centres l Energy conservation l Energy Agencies – Monitoring Programme & Awareness Campaign l Developing Environmental Training Modules l Sporting Federations & Leave No Trace l Train the Trainer Courses l Conservation – water quality / habitats l Fish Stocks/Wildlife l Lough Derg Heritage Project

14. 14 Social Inclusion l Increase participation of all users on the water l Training Modules for Instructors for People with Special Needs l Young People through the Schools Programme l Exchange Programme with NEA 2 Regions l Disability Access – increase awareness for Clubs/Centres l Open Days for Socially Excluded Groups l Improve Employment Opportunities

15. 15 Atlantic Watersports Games 2009 l Porto, 1 st – 6 th August 2009 l European Watersports Competition & Festival l Atlantic/Celtic Regions of Europe participate l Competitions: l Sailing l Kayaking l Surfing l Rowing For more information on registration & Games please visit: www.jniea.eu

16. 16 Contact Details l Marie Collins Project Manager Mid-West Regional Authority A: Friar Court, Abbey Street, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary T: 067 33197 / 37353 E: mcollins@mwra.ie W: www.mwra.ie