Write a commentNewry and Armagh MLA Conor Murphy speaking in the recent Assembly debate on the success that the Executive have had in attracting major sporting events has said that it is essential that there is support available for communities involved in organising local based events.
The MLA was speaking on the success of recent great sporting events and their economic, social and promotional benefits and using the Crooked Lake Triathlon in Camlough as a prime example, Mr Murphy explained "It started out as a very small community event, and, within five or six years, it was attracting 600-plus competitors from all across Ireland and right across other parts of Europe as well. It started with a local small committee in the community beginning the event, building their own capacity and organisational skills and creating an event that has become of almost international standard".
He also outlined the further initiatives that were now happening "From that small event, we now have a water festival. The same group of people are bidding for the world ice swimming championships to be held in Newry in 2019. That will bring an international event, and it all came from a small community project. It shows you what is possible"
Calling for support for these events he said "We recognise the headline events, and with a big focus on the golf opens, the Giro, the Rugby World Cup and others, but we should also make sure that there is support in communities for small-scale events because those are the events that people who have moved away come home for. Those are the events for which people time their holidays to come back to Ireland. It is those events that bring communities together. As well as ensuring that councils have the necessary resource to support them, we should ensure that there are programmes, perhaps through the Department for Communities, for capacity-building in those communities to ensure that local people get the necessary skills.
