Motor Activities Training Programme
The Motor Activities Training Programme (MATP) is a sports programme for people with profound intellectual disability and complex support needs. This individualised programme uses sport to help athletes develop gross and fine motor skills, enhancing the range of sporting activities available to them but also developing skills which will benefit athletes in everyday life
Benifits of the Motor Activity Training Programme
- Physical benefits (Strength, Coordination, and Balance etc.)
- Motor Skill Enhancement (reaching, grasping, crawling, walking etc)
- Personal growth (build confidence and foster a positive self-image by mastering skills that align with their individual abilities)
- Social Connection (opportunities to engage with others in a fun setting)
Featured Photo: Special Olympics Ireland MATP ambassador, Francis Donnelly participating in a recent sports demonstration hosted by Avista CLG.
Collaboration, Innovation & Development
Special Olympics Ireland are currently working with colleagues from Disability Sport Netherlands and Special Olympics Slovakia on an Erasmus+ funded project called MATCODE. This project aims to expand and improve the range of sporting activities available to people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD), through the recruitment and training of coaches, and the development of new and exciting activities to form part of the Motor Activities Training Programme..
Shaun Hennessy, Ireland's MATP Project Lead explains; that while many of us have several sporting opportunities available to us, for those with complex support needs, this is the only sport adapted to their needs, and emphasised the importance of making this a positive, supportive and enjoyable experience available to any athlete who wishes to take part.
Training has now been delivered to Active Disability Ireland and the team of Sports Inclusion Disability Officers (SIDOs) from across Ireland, with a view to increasing the number of people participating in MATP as athletes, coaches, support staff and volunteers.
If you would like to find out more about MATP, please contact shaun.hennessy@specialolympics.ie.
