Waterford Sports Partnership

This morning FIS CEO Mary O'Connor met with Minister Jack Chambers, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Reform & Digitalisation alongside FIS Chairperson Enda Lynch (CEO Badminton Ireland), Rosarie Kealy (CEO Waterford Sports Partnership) and John Perry Tax Partner at Ogier Ireland LLP.

Sport in Ireland delivers significant public, economic, and social value. We are advocating for three key Asks for Budget 2027:

↗️ A 10% Annual Uplift in Funding for NGBs and LSPs.
5️⃣ Introduction of a €5,000 Exemption PAYE Threshold for Certain Payments in Amateur Sport.
📝 Request for Government Commitment to Research and Publish a Report on an Additional 1% Betting Levy for Sport.

The Federation is very appreciative of Minister Chambers' time and commitment to the Sport and Physical Activity sector. We are cognisant of the multiple asks of Government for Budget across many sectors. However, we are confident that the proposals put forward in our Submission provide the Government as both value for investment, but also with viable solutions to strengthen NGBs and LSPs to deliver not only the sport agenda but across Government objectives.

🥾 Happy Hiking – Hill Skills for Parents!

Would you like to feel more confident taking your children on outdoor adventures? Join us for a practical day in the Nire Valley, led by an experienced instructor.

You’ll learn essential skills including:

🗺️ Map reading and basic navigation
⛰️ Hill safety
🎒 Choosing the right equipment

📅 Saturday, 19th September
⏰ 10am–4pm
📍 Meeting at Nire Valley Car Park
🥾 Distance: Approximately 8km
💶 €20 per person, plus Eventbrite fee

Whether you’re new to hillwalking or looking to build your confidence, this is a great opportunity to develop the skills needed for safe and enjoyable family adventures.

Places are limited – book here;
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/happy-hiking-hill-skills-day-for-parents-tickets-1996075548699?aff=ebdsoporgprofile&_gl=1*1ap5jrq*_up*MQ..*_ga*Njc3NzU0ODg2LjE3ODgzNTY1NjQ.*_ga_TQVES5V6SH*czE3ODgzNTY1NjMkbzEkZzAkdDE3ODgzNTY1NjMkajYwJGwwJGgwJGRrVHM2WUN5MTZoWDVrRHdWLUQ1NG96UVN0QkpfbHRIcWZ3

For more information, contact Liz on 087 739 6050 or email [email protected].

🌟 OVER 50s – WHAT’S ON! 🌟

Looking to get active, try something new and meet new people? We’ve a great selection of activities coming up across Waterford! 👇

🎾 Beginners’ Tennis – Waterford
🚶 Walk, Breathe & Connect – Crough Wood, Anne Valley & Colligan Wood
🚶‍♀️ Activator Pole Taster Session – Waterford
🏓 Social Table Tennis – Waterford
💪 Active Ageing Programme – SETU Arena
🎄 Christmas Walk & Train Ride – Kilmeaden

There’s something for everyone, whether you fancy getting outdoors, trying a new sport or simply enjoying some fun and social activity!

🎟️ Places are limited, so book early!

👉 Check out all the details and booking information here:
https://www.waterfordsportspartnership.ie/over-50s-whats-on/

🌟 POSITIVE AGEING WEEK 2026 – WHAT’S ON! 🌟

We’ve a great line-up of activities taking place across Waterford city & county for Positive Ageing Week – Friday 25th September to Friday 2nd October!

Here’s a taste of what’s coming up 👇

🥊 Boxercise – Waterford
🚶 Tramore Dunes Walk – Tramore
🏸 Try Badminton – Waterford
🥾 Cruachán Paorach Walk – Kilmacthomas
🎳 Try Lawn Bowls – Dungarvan
🏓 Try Table Tennis – Waterford
💪 Try Circuits & Pilates – Waterford
🏸 Try Badminton – Lismore
🏓 Social Table Tennis – Waterford

✨ And there’s more to come!

Most activities are FREE and are a great chance to try something new, get active, meet others and have some fun!

🎟️ Places are limited, so BOOK EARLY!

👉 Check out all the details and booking information here:
https://www.waterfordsportspartnership.ie/positive-ageing-week-2026/

Waterford Older People's Council

🏓 TABLE TENNIS IN WATERFORD – EVERYONE WELCOME! 🏓

We’ve been keeping the tables busy over the summer, and now it’s time to get back into our full weekly Table Tennis Stars schedule!

Whether you want to try table tennis, get back into the sport, improve your game, or find quality competitive practice — there’s a place for you at Table Tennis Stars.

📅 MONDAY
🕖 7:00–9:00pm — OPEN PLAY

📅 FRIDAY – SESSION 1
🕕 6:00–7:30pm — STRUCTURED TRAINING & COACHING

📅 FRIDAY – SESSION 2
🕢 7:30–9:00pm — OPEN PLAY

🏓 14 tables — plenty of playing capacity
🏓 Top-quality equipment provided
🏓 Coaching available
🏓 All ages and abilities welcome
🏓 Regular club and regional competitions
🏓 Social and competitive table tennis

We have a great mix of players, from recreational and developing players right through to experienced regional and national-level competitors — including Ireland’s No. 1 ranked veteran player.

💶 PAY AS YOU GO
Adults — €10 per session
Juniors / OAPs — €6 per session
Friday Structured Training — €2 extra

⭐ Monthly memberships also available, offering great value for regular players.

📍 Kingfisher Club, Waterford

Whether you want to learn, improve, compete, get active or simply enjoy a few games, come along and join us. New players are always welcome! 🏓

Please share with anyone who might like to give table tennis a try in Waterford.

Ballinroad FC ‘Mini-Rams’ Academy Returns!!

Our academy will return for our Mini Rams born in 2018, 2019, 2020 and our new group 2021 on Saturday 5th of September. It will be at the earlier than usual time of 12.00pm to 1.00pm (regular 2.00pm to 3.00pm time every other week)

📍St Augustine's College (The Friary)
📅 Every Saturday
⏰ 12– 1 pm

The academy groups are open to all boys and girls. If your child has not been a member of the academy but would like to join, please contact us on [email protected]

Our 2021 group is a new group so please spread the word amongst all of your neighbours and friends that we are accepting players for this year group.

We are also on the hunt for coaches to support our academy, especially for our new 2021 group. If you can volunteer just one hour a week, we will support you and arrange for the relevant training needed to help keep our academy thriving!

If you want to know more or come on board, please contact us on [email protected]

🏃‍♀️ parkrun is coming to Dungarvan! 🏃‍♂️

We’re delighted to be getting ready to launch parkrun Waterford Greenway Dungarvan this October – and we need VOLUNTEERS to help make it happen! 🙌

Interested in getting involved? Come along to our Information Evening and find out what parkrun is all about, meet the team and learn about the different ways you can help.

📅 Thursday, 24 September
⏰ 7pm
📍 Park Hotel, Dungarvan

No experience is needed and you can volunteer as regularly or occasionally as suits you. Everyone is welcome!

Once launched, Dungarvan parkrun will take place every Saturday at 9.30am from the Railway Cottage on the Waterford Greenway.

💚 Come along and help us get Dungarvan parkrun up and running!

📱 For more information, call/text Thomas on 086 206 1083.

🏊‍♀️ 🚴‍♀️ 🏃‍♀️ Tri a Tri at Clonea Beach!

Over the past four Wednesday evenings, eight women took their first steps into triathlon through our welcoming Tri a Tri programme at Clonea Beach, Dungarvan.

Delivered by Waterford Sports Partnership in partnership with Triathlon Ireland, participants built their skills and confidence across swimming, cycling and running.

As swimming can often be the biggest barrier for people considering triathlon, it featured in every session, helping the women become more comfortable and confident in the open water.

The programme finished on a high, with the group putting everything together to complete their own mini triathlon, including both transitions! 👏

It was fantastic to see everyone grow in confidence, support each other and enjoy the challenge along the way.

Participants are now encouraged to continue their journey with Tried & Tested Triathlon Club, providing a great opportunity to stay active, connected and build on their new skills.

A huge well done to all eight women! 💪
Triathlon Ireland