The Irish Sports Council in its first strategy - A New Era for Sport - promoted the notion of Local Sports Partnerships that would promote participation in sport at a local level. The Cork Sports Partnership was established in 2010 after the County Cork Sports Partnership and the Cork City Sports Partnership amalgamated. The three main functions of the Local Sport Partnerships are: 1. Information - establish a consultative forum, initiate research, compile a sports directory and database, and identify needs and resources to form the basis of local planning 2. Education - provide quality opportunities for education and training at local level, provide training courses targeting volunteers, and provide access to sport specific courses through the national governing bodies (NGB's) of sport 3. Implementation - develop a strategic plan for local sport, appoint a professional administrator, secure related support services, select participation programmes for LSP's modified to suit local needs, increase the impact of national programmes delivered locally, market and promote sport