A significant increase in outdoor sporting events across the county has prompted the Donegal Sports Event Management Working Group to start a new safety initiative in the county.
The Working Group started the scheme with the aim of making sporting events in Donegal safer.
Schedule workshops have already been organised in Termon, Stranorlar and Buncrana next month to assist event organisers adopt a safety-first approach.
A guide has been prepared for clubs, groups, schools and individuals by the Donegal group and Donegal Sports Partnership Coordinator, Myles Sweeney, says the publication is designed as a practical aid for event organisers.
“In recent years there has been a major rise in the number of community groups, clubs and sporting organisations setting up events.
“These events now require a more formal planning process than in the past.
“It’s great to see so many organised events taking place and the workshops will cover areas such as planning, health and safety, insurance, safeguarding, communications, volunteers and facilities,” he added.
“Safe planning and proper planning are key to all events and that is the message the working group are stressing.
“The guide is aimed at assisting event organisers with practical and safe planning of sports events which take place on the public roads and in public spaces, including open water and hills,” he said.
“We are appealing to all event organisers locally to book a place on one of the workshops.
“Ultimately, the workshops are aimed at making the events safer and more enjoyable for the participants, the organisers and the local community in which they are being held,” Sweeney said.
“It’s important that event organisers work with and communicate with local statutory agencies such as An Garda Síochána and emergency services.”
The workshops will take place at the Finn Valley Centre in Stranorlar on Wednesday, March 6th, the An Craoibhin Centre in Termon on Thursday, March 7th, and at St Mary’s Youth Club in Buncrana on Wednesday, March 13th.
All workshops will have a start time of 7.15 p.m.
