The Mid West Regional Authority (MWRA) has announced details of an ambitious new plan to develop and promote the watersports sector in the Mid West Region.The Mid West Watersports Project, which will be launched in Ballina on 30th April, is aimed at boosting the marine leisure sector and its positive economic and environmental impacts in North Tipperary, Clare and Limerick. The Authority intends to build on existing marine leisure initiatives in the region to help inform and develop new opportunities for sustainable development of water sports on our rivers, lakes and coastline. It is anticipated that the Programme will help attract thousands of additional visitors to the Mid West Region each year when it is up and running.
The MWRA is part of a continuing European Programme for developing and promoting the watersports sector in Europe’s Atlantic Area. For the period 2009-2011, the Regional Authority through participation in the NEA 2 Project will be implementing a number of measures to help stimulate the marine leisure sector in the Mid-West region.
According to Marie Collins, Project Manager, “Over the next three years, the Regional Authority will design and implement a comprehensive online portal for watersports in the region, working closely with the Region’s local authorities, tourism business sector, tourism bodies and local watersports centres.” Ms Collins added, “Through the National Sport Federations we will also develop a series of training programmes in environmental awareness and social inclusion, promoting the marine leisure sector and creating opportunities for all people to become more involved in the sector. The MWRA will be providing more local and regional information on the implementation of this exciting watersports programme over the next 3 years through the website www.mwra.ie.”
The NEA 2 Project is a co-funded initiative under the INTERREG IVB Atlantic Area Programme and comprises 23 Partners from five EU Countries: Ireland, UK, France, Spain and Portugal, working together to deliver sustainable development of the marine leisure sector. The other Irish partners participating in the project are the Irish Canoe Union and Ards Borough Council.
A regional launch of the Mid West Watersports Project will take place in the Lakeside Hotel, Ballina on Thursday 30th April 2009 from 2-4pm. The event is geared towards watersports clubs, activity centres, marine leisure businesses and tourism promotion bodies in the marine leisure sector. It will feature a number of presentations on the various elements of the project, Marine Leisure and the environment, including how to improve the environmental credentials of your centre or club. Anyone interested in attending should contact the Regional Authority at 067-33197 or by email info@mwra.ie. For more information on the European Programme, please visit the NEA 2 website at www.nea2.eu.
