May 24, 2014
Partners and Exhibitors at the Event
We are delighted to announce this years partners for the event are:
Coca Cola Thank You Fund– will distribute €125,000 in five grants of €25,000 in 2014. These grants will provide major funding for sport and activity programmes taking an innovative approach to getting local communities moving. Apply here
Diageo– kindly providing the Storehouse venue for the conference
JLT Ireland– in partnership with the Federation of Irish Sport, have introduced an insurance facility specifically designed for National Governing Bodies and sports clubs.Click Here for more information
Exhibitors at the event are:
Federation of Irish Sport Preferred Partners exhibiting-
Tifco Hotel Group/Crowne Plaza Hotels- hotels in Dublin and around Ireland (special rates for FIS members attending the conference)
Future Fit– helping sport reduce their energy costs
OSK– Auditors and Accountants
Print Depot– experts in printed communication
Exhibitors-
Failte Ireland Major Events Unit– support for bringing sports events and tourists to Ireland
MyClubFinances– fundraising solutions for your sport
Performa Sports– performance analysis in sport
Promocraft– high quality Irish made Awards and Gifts
RISC Manager– Regulatory and Compliance Software
UCD Centre for Sports Studies– launching a new MSc in Coaching and Exercise Science in 2014
2into3– Ireland’s specialist advisors and capacity builders for the not-for-profit sector
Supporters of the Event are:
JKS Communications– providing research led policy insights and public affairs programmes
Teamwear.ie– providing you with direct access to Europe’s Award Winning Teamwear at the lowest prices
TRB Associates – one of Ireland’s longest established recruitment consultancies
Delegate Pack information:
SportsJobs.ie – the specialist sports jobs and information board
Business Card Draw- Great Prizes offered on the day include:
- iPad Air (JLT)
- iPad Mini and 12month performance analysis software (Performa)
- Weekend family stay (Crowne Plaza Hotel Blanchardstown)- Two Nights Bed & Breakfast with Dinner on One Night for up to Two Adults & Two Children (under 12) sharing a twin room. The prize also includes a family ticket to one of the following attractions – Aquazone at the National Aquatic Centre, Dublin Zoo or Tayto Park.
- Energy Advice Voucher worth €2k (FutureFit)
- Tablet device (OSK)
- €250 voucher (Teamwear.ie)
- Case of Wine (RISC Manager)
- 2 Tickets to major sports events (FAI, GAA, IRFU)
- Panel Presentation gifts by Promocraft
Don’t forget to put your card in the bowl, If you’re not in you can’t win!
May 23, 2014
MEMBERS EVENT- If you havent already booked, you can book your tickets here http://www.eventbrite.ie/e/federation-of-irish-sport-conference-2014-shaping-sports-future-tickets-6305819877
The 2nd Federation of Irish Sport Annual Conference #ShapingSportsFuture will be hosted at the Guinness Storehouse on Thursday 29th May 2014. Keynote speaker will be Dr Leo Varadkar, Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport. the schedule for the day is as follows-
15:30 Registration
16:00 Official Opening and Welcome Address- Sarah O’Connor, CEO, Federation of Irish Sport
16:05 Keynote Address- Dr. Leo Varadkar, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport
Overview of the industry, opportunities and challenges ahead
16:20 PANEL 1- The future funding of Sport in Ireland
How sport is funded in Ireland and how it best needs to be funded in future to ensure sustainability and success
Dr Leo Varadkar- Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Keynote speaker)
Leo Varadkar is a TD for Dublin West and Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. He is the youngest member of the Irish Government and was appointed to office by the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny in March 2011.
First elected to Dáil Eireann (House of Representatives) in 2007, he is a former Spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Prior to his election to the Dáil, he served as a member of Fingal County Council from October 2003. He received the highest vote in Ireland in the Local Elections of 2004, and was elected Leas-Cathaoirleach of the county.
He has taken a strong interest in political reform proposing and securing government support for a more transparent system of making public appointments and authored the first policy paper calling for a reduction in the number of State agencies.
Born and raised in the Blanchardstown/Castleknock area, Leo studied medicine in Trinity College, Dublin where he earned a BA, BAO, BCh and MB in 2003. He worked in several hospitals before opting for General Practice.
Bernard Allen- Board Member, Irish Sports Council, Chairman of the NGB Committee and former Minister for Sport
First elected to Dáil Éireann in 1981, Bernard Allen retained his seat at each subsequent general election until his retirement in 2011. A front bench spokesperson for Health, Social Welfare, Environment and Local Government, Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sport and Recreation, he was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Education and the Environment with special responsibility for Youth and Sport. Bernard is a member of the Pitch and Putt Union of Ireland, Bol Chumann na hEireann, Golfing Union of Ireland, GAA and FAI.
Hugo MacNeill- MD, Goldman Sachs Ireland and Chairman, Ireland Funds
Hugo McNeil is Managing Director at Goldman Sachs (Ireland). A former international rugby player, Hugo played for Ireland for eight seasons between 1981 and 1988 and scored ten tries. In 1983 he toured New Zealand with the British and Irish Lions and he also played in the first Rugby World Cup in 1987. A graduate of Oxford, he is currently Chair of Ireland’s working bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Hugo is also Chair of the Ireland Funds.
Garrett Kelleher– Executive Chairman, Shelbourne Development Group and St Patrick’s Athletic FC
Garret Kelleher is the founder and Executive Chairman of Shelbourne Development Group and owner of League of Ireland football club St Patrick’s Athletic FC, as well as a significant shareholder in Dolmen Securities, a Dublin based regulated stock brokerage, investment advisor and corporate finance house. Sponsorships of events have included the Irish Tennis Open in the past.
In 2013, Garrett Kelleher was named to the Advisory Board for the US-Ireland Alliance, a non-profit organization with a focus on educating Americans about Ireland and strengthening ties between the two countries through culture and business. Kelleher also sits on the Board of Regents at Ave Maria University in Florida.
17:10 Audience discussion and Q&A
17:20 PANEL 2- The role of sport in Irish Society
The broader role sport plays in Irish society in terms of health, social inclusion, tourism, and international reputation
Andy Reed, OBE- Chair, UK Sport and Recreation Alliance
Andy is the Chair of the Sport and Recreation Alliance. With a very strong background in the sector he served arguably the UK’s sportiest constituency – Loughborough – with distinction for 13 years. As an MP he served as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Kate Hoey while she was Sports Minister and also introduced the 10 Minute Rule Bill for Community Amateur Sports Club legislation as well as chairing various sports committees in parliament – including the CCPRs own Sports Caucus.
Now director of his own company, SajeImpact and Senior Partner at Green and Gold he leads his local county sports partnership, is chair of the voice of sports volunteers (SSPV) and of the BBL Foundation, as well as a board member of Special Olympics GB and Sports Chaplaincy UK.
He also sits on the board of International Aid agency World Vision UK. Andy continues to turn out for his beloved Birstall Rugby Club where he has played for the last 25 years. He is a co-founder of the Sports Think Tank – the UKs only independent think tank dedicated to sports issues. He was awarded the OBE in 2012 for services to sport and the community.
Brendan Kenny- Assistant Dublin City Manager
Brendan Kenny is Assistant Dublin City Manager. He has responsibility for Community and Social Development as well as Art, Culture, Recreation and Amenity Services in the City.
Part of this remit includes the strategic management of Dublin City Council’s Sport and Events brief including:
- Citywide Leisure & Fitness provision
- Sports Development and the Dublin City Sports Network
- Major Event Bidding, Promotion and Staging
- Tourism
- The provision of Sports centres, playing pitches, All weather facilities.
- The promotion of Social Enterprise and job Activation in Dublin City.
From 2007 to 2012 Brendan worked as Chief Executive of the Limerick Regeneration Agencies. Prior to 2007 he was Assistant Dublin City Manager with responsibility for Housing and Community Services.
Kate O’Flaherty – Director of Health and Wellbeing Programme, Department of Health
Kate O’Flaherty graduated from Trinity College Dublin with a BSc(Pharm) in 1993 and registered as a pharmacist the following year. After completing an MSc in the School of Pharmacy in Trinity in 1997, Kate worked in both community pharmacy practice and with the national drug addiction services. In 1999/2000 she undertook an MA in Journalism and subsequently worked for a number of years as a freelance journalist and communications consultant, specialising in health. She was the health feature writer for the (now defunct) Sunday Tribune newspaper from 2001-2003, and was shortlisted for a National Media Award in 2002.
Kate was recruited by the PSI in 2007 shortly after the introduction of the Pharmacy Act 2007 to manage the developing communications functions and requirements of the new regulatory body, This position also included the role as Irish lead for the 2013 International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Dublin Congress following the successful Irish bid for this event. In March 2010 Kate was assigned the additional role of Head of Pharmacy Practice Development with the PSI.
From 2008-2013 Kate worked with colleagues, Council members and stakeholders on a range of projects and initiatives in relation to the expansion of pharmacy services and development of the pharmacy profession. In July 2013, Kate was seconded from the PSI to the Department of Health to the post of Director of the Health and Wellbeing Programme.
This recently established Programme is primarily charged with coordinating the cross-sectoral implementation of the new National Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013-2025 – Healthy Ireland., which is overseen by the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy chaired by An Taoiseach. A key initial and exemplar project under the Healthy Ireland Framework is the development of a National Physical Activity Plan.
Fiona Coughlan- Irish Rugby Captain and PE Teacher
Born in 1981 and raised in Clontarf, Dublin 3, Fiona played Basketball, Hockey and Gaelic Football in Holy Faith Clontarf growing up. She took up rugby when she went to study PE teaching in University of Limerick. With 80 caps for Ireland Fiona’s honours include; 1 Grand Slam Championship, 2 Interprovincial Championships with Leinster. 11 All Ireland League Titles with UL Bohemians RFC and last year was named the Irish Times/Irish Sport Council Sportswoman of the Year. Fiona is currently a PE and Maths teacher in Lucan Community College in Dublin.
Keith McCormack, Director of Visit Dublin and Head of Events Ireland, at Fáilte Ireland
Keith’s responsibilities include the marketing and promotion of Dublin as a destination (including the Dublin Convention Bureau), and responsibility for the following tourism sectors in Ireland – cultural, sporting and business tourism events. He is also a Director of St. Patrick Days Festival Ltd.
Keith joined Fáilte Ireland from Greenstar where he was Head of Marketing with responsibility for B2B and B2C marketing segments. In particular, Keith had commercial responsibility for product innovation and development, and led a successful Greenstar re-entry into the Irish Household waste market. Keith has experience in product as well as the service industry, in particular the FMCG sector where he spent time at Glanbia where he was Head of Consumer and Trade Marketing for Yoplait and Trade Marketing Manager of Jacobs (Irish Biscuits). Keith’s experiences are around commercial strategy and implementation, with a particular focus on developing new products and bringing them to market.
18:20 Audience Discussion and Q&A
18:30 Close
18:30 Reception drinks and open mic session with MC Adrian Barry from Off the Ball on Newstalk
Chatting to a host of guests from the world of Irish Sport
Panel 1- Liam Harbison, Paralympics Ireland and Ciaran Gallagher, Gymnastics Ireland
Panel 2- Hamish Adams, Rowing Ireland and Harry Hermon, Irish Sailing Association
Presentation- CARA National Inclusion Awards
19:45 Dinner
22.00 Carriages
MC for the Conference: Caroline Murphy- RTE Broadcaster
MC Caroline Murphy is a well-known broadcaster who can be heard presenting ‘It Says in the Papers’ on Morning Ireland.
She has had a successful and varied career in Sport, from her early days as a Presenter Reporter in RTE Radio Sport, to the 13 years she spent as an RTE TV Sports producer. During those years she was responsible for many of the station’s top sporting transmissions, including Sydney 2000 and The Sunday Game as well as the station’s hockey and tennis coverage.
Since leaving RTE in 2002, Caroline has qualified as an Organisational Psychologist and she now combines her work as a broadcaster and producer with a communications consultancy. Caroline is married to RTE’s Sean O’Rourke.
For more details on the conference please contact: Conn McCluskey, 083-1285169 or conn.mccluskey@irishsport.ie
May 22, 2014
Paralympics Ireland remit extended to lead talent ID and athlete development pathway
Paralympics Ireland today published its new four year strategic plan entitled Securing Success Together before an audience of its member sports at an event in Bewley’s Hotel Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. The plan outlines a new strategic direction for the organisation which will see it lead the development of a sector wide talent identification model, and athlete development pathway for Irish Paralympic Sport.
Following an extensive and inclusive consultation process across all the key agencies and individuals within Irish Paralympic sport the need for a coordinated and managed approach to athlete development was identified.
Whilst it was acknowledged by all stakeholders that elite Irish Paralympic sport has witnessed unprecedented growth on the back of the heights of London 2012, in order to secure sustained success the movement must move in a coordinated manner to prioritise the development and implementation of a research led talent ID model, and clear athlete pathway right from entry at participation level, through to podium.
The strategy outlines the key steps that Paralympics Ireland needs to take to see this key goal move from research, build, and pilot phase through to the implementation which will commence in 2017. If the sector can work as one entity towards this shared vision the lasting rewards will be evident from Tokyo 2020, the 2024 Games, and beyond.
In officially launching the strategy Paralympics Ireland CEO Liam Harbison stated: “Paralympic sport globally faces a new reality on the back of the huge success of London 2012. The level of athlete performance continues to break new ground, making it essential that Paralympics Ireland moves to develop a talent ID model and performance pathway to secure long term success.”
Recognising a lack of influence within the international movement the plan includes a strategy to increase Irish representation at International Paralympic Committee (IPC) level. Whilst awareness of Paralympic sport nationally has increased there is a recognised need to deepen understanding of it through a series of communications activities. Driving greater investment from state agencies, and commercial partners is also a stated goal.
Irish Sports Council CEO John Treacy gave his backing to the strategy; “I would like to commend Paralympics Ireland for their continuous drive to advance the Paralympic movement and for the publication of a clear, concise, and focused strategy. The Irish Sports Council has been a long term partner of Paralympics Ireland and is committed to supporting this strategic plan not only in relation to Rio, but beyond through the Talent ID and Development model.”
The audience heard how the plan can be delivered to best effect from three expert speakers; Liam Moggan of Coaching Ireland, Rob Hartnett of Sport for Business, and Mick O’Keeffe of Pembroke Communications.
Three of Ireland’s leading Paralympic athletes were also on hand to add their support to the plan; Double Paralympic gold medallist at 800m & 1500m Michael McKillop, double swimming world championship bronze medallist Ellen Keane and Irish Cerebral Palsy football team captain Luke Evans. All three have their individual European Championships on the horizon this summer, in Swansea, Eindhoven, and Portugal respectively.
To download a copy of the Securing Success Together please http://www.paralympics.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/PI-Strategic-Plan-2014-Low-Res.pdf
May 21, 2014
Ireland’s Children get a D minus for Physical Activity
A new international scale of children’s physical activity levels has graded Ireland with a D minus.
According to data from all over the island of Ireland, only between 12 and 43% of children do enough physical activity.
On May 20th 2014, 15 countries from around the world will publish a series of grades based on children’s physical activity in Toronto, Canada.
ReportCardIreland2014_LongForm_Final
About the Report Card
The Report Card on Physical Activity in Children and Youth is a means of collating all data related to children’s physical activity levels (see appendix 1 for details of the data sources) in a particular country and ‘grading’ the evidence using a grading system just like a school report card i.e. A to F or inconclusive/incomplete if there are not enough data available yet.
Dr Deirdre Harrington, a Lecturer in Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Health, from the University of Leicester (UK), has chaired a group of 11 other researchers from both the Republic and Northern Ireland that has developed the Report Card for Ireland in consultation with key stakeholders.
Dr Harrington said: “The Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth has been an effective tool in powering the movement to get kids moving by influencing priorities, policies and practice in Canada for the last 9 years.
“Now a further 14 countries from around the globe who have replicated the Report Card process will present their Report Cards at the Global Summit on Physical Activity of Children in Toronto. Ireland will join Scotland and the US, who have already launched their Report Cards, and England in contributing to the Global Matrix of Report Card grades.”
Dr Harrington said: “Children are natural movers but there is concern that children across the globe are not as active as they should be.
“There are many behaviours (TV viewing, sport participation, active transportation, active play and doing PE) and settings (the home, the school, the community and the built environment and government investment and policy) that are known to influence how active children are. We have called these ‘indicators related to children’s physical activity’
Dr. Harrington stressed that “Monitoring how these indicators change over time is important. This first Report Card in Ireland will act as a baseline for surveillance of physical activity promotion efforts and to ensure that any changes are captured.”
The Grades
Ireland sits in the middle of the other countries involved in the Global Matrix of Report Card grades and Dr Harrington said that “Ireland are neither leading nor lagging on how supportive we are as a country to children’s physical activity.
“There are some things we do well and we need to keep momentum up. But there are also many gaps, including the development, launch and implementation of a National Physical Activity Plan that is adequately funded.”
The 10 indicators graded in Ireland, key grades included:
- Overall Physical Activity Levels (D-)
- Organised Sport Participation (C-)
- Physical Education (D-)
- Active Play (INC)
- Active Transportation (D)
- Sedentary Behaviour (TV Viewing) (C-)
- Home (INC)
- School (C-)
- Community and the Built Environment (B)
- Government (INC)
Active Play, the Home and Government were given an Inconclusive grade as data or a clear benchmark do not currently exist.
The Community and the Built Environment indicator was graded with a B based on how parents and teenagers perceive the quality of local facilities and safety of their neighbourhoods. However, Dr Harrington stressed we need be cautious with this indicator: “Just because people perceive their local area to be safe or having good facilities does not always translate to increased use or increase physical activity levels. There are still many ways the local built environment can be adapted to give children more opportunities to be active.”
Recommendations and Gaps
A number of recommendations and key gaps were also highlighted including the absence of a systematic surveillance system for monitoring children’s physical activity levels. Dr Sarahjane Belton, Lecturer in Physical Education at Dublin City University, also said that “there is concern that the planned removal of PE as a subject from the junior cycle curriculum by the Department of Education and Science in the Republic will affect the PE grade in the future and this is something highlighted as a gap that the Government should address”
Dr Marie Murphy from the University of Ulster, who was also a member of the team who developed this Report Card, said “everyone from teachers to policy makers can use the report to refocus efforts to increase help increase the grades and ultimately improve the health of the next generation of Ireland’s citizens.”
Dr. Catherine Woods, Chair of the WHO Health Enhancing Physical Activity working group on children and young people said “this Report Card will set a bench mark for the Island of Ireland from which to work to further improve the opportunities offered to children to be active and the participation of children in physical activity. Healthy Ireland is currently working on how to develop more opportunities of this nature within the Republic.”
Dr Harrington added that the Report Card is a vital tool for practitioners and policy makers to identify key needs and gaps, allocate funds and develop activity promotion initiatives. “By highlighting indicators that ‘could do better’ we are saying that investment and policy needs to be developed.”
Dr Harrington concluded: “We hope that being part of the Global Matrix of Report Card grades will mean we can learn from the successes and failures of other countries. But also, other countries can learn about what we as an island are doing well at. Essentially, we want to improve the grades of countries around the world, starting at home in Ireland” said Dr Harrington.
- Dr. Deirdre Harrington, Lecturer in Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Health at the University of Leicester, based at the Diabetes Research Centre, has been developing Ireland first Physical Activity Report Card in Children and Youth for the past year along with colleagues in both the Republic and Northern Ireland and will present Ireland’s Report Card in Toronto in May 2014. She did her PhD at the University of Limerick and worked in the US for 3 years in an obesity research centre.
- Full copies of the short-form and long-form Report Card can be found at http://www.getirelandactive.ie/get-info/reportcard
Appendix 1 – List of data sources used in the 2014 Report Card and dates the data were collected
- Take PART (Physical Activity Research for Teenagers) Studies (2003-2005)
- Growing up in Ireland (GUI) Wave 1 of the 9 year old cohort (2007-2009)
- ESRI Keeping them in the Game, 2013 (reanalysing data from 2007-2009)
- UK Millennium Cohort Study (MCS4) (2008-2009)
- Baseline Survey of Timetabled PE in Primary Schools in Northern Ireland (2009)
- Children’s Sport Participation and Physical Activity (CSPPA) (2009)
- Health Behaviour of School-Aged Children (HBSC) (2009-2010 wave)
- Young Persons’ Behaviour and Attitudes Survey (YPBAS) (2010)
- Census of the Population of Ireland (2011)
Appendix 2 – Research Work Group Members Involved in Developing the 2014 Report Card
| Chair |
Institution |
| Deirdre M. Harrington, PhD |
Leicester Diabetes Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester UK |
| Member |
Institution |
| Sarahjane Belton, PhD |
Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland |
| Tara Coppinger, PhD |
Cork Institute of Technology, Cork, Ireland |
| Muireann Cullen, PhD |
Nutrition and Health Foundation, Dublin, Ireland |
| Alan Donnelly, PhD |
University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland |
| Kieran Dowd, PhD |
University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland |
| Teresa Keating, MPH |
Institute of Public Health in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland |
| Richard Layte, PhD |
The Economic and Social Research Institute, Dublin, Ireland |
| Marie Murphy, PhD |
University of Ulster, Co. Antrim, N. Ireland |
| Niamh Murphy, PhD |
Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland |
| Elaine Murtagh, PhD |
Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, Ireland |
| Catherine Woods, PhD |
Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland |
May 21, 2014
Irish Hockey officially launched Quick Hockey, a new and exciting variation of hockey for everyone, at a demonstration of the game at the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown on Wednesday, 21st May. The new game was explained and showcased at the launch in front of the Irish Sports Council, international players, IHA board members and media. The development of Quick Hockey is being made possible through the support of the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund.
Irish Hockey designed Quick Hockey after a participation survey revealed a gap in the hockey market for a more casual, fun, flexible variation of the game of hockey. From the survey 70% of hockey players indicated they would continue to play ‘informal’ hockey once they had retired from competitive hockey if it was available. The results also showed that one of the top reasons players cease playing hockey is trying to balance family, work and social life and the inability to commit to a club. Irish Hockey believes that Quick Hockey is the perfect game to fill this gap.
Irish Hockey was one of eleven organisations to benefit from €125,000 distributed through the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund last year. It received a grant of €10,000 towards the project. The Coca-Cola Thank You Fund is open for applications once again this year and is seeking to support voluntary and non-profit organisations which want to kick-start new programmes encouraging people to become more active. Details can be found at www.coca-cola.ie/thankyou and applications are being accepted online until the 16th of June 2014.
Commenting at the launch CEO Mike Heskin said “Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the support and funding received from the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund which is a fantastic initiative helping communities to get and stay active.”
He went on to explain the need for Quick Hockey “We first identified the need for a variation of our traditional eleven aside game of hockey when we conducted our participation survey. The results highlighted the necessity to offer a less formal option of the game that can be played on any surface in a 5-aside format. As a governing body we are always looking to progress our sport in line with our strategic plan, including increasing the numbers playing the sport and retaining those who currently play, the development of Quick Hockey is a game that will help us achieve these two goals.”
Erica Roseingrave, Public Affairs and Communications Manager, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland, said: “The Coca-Cola Thank You Fund makes awards to voluntary and non-profit organisations promoting active lifestyles in communities all over Ireland. Through the Fund we seek to support innovative ideas which will encourage those who don’t participate in physical activity to introduce it into their lives. Quick Hockey captured the judges imagination and we’re looking forward to seeing the programme rolled out across the country.”
Irish Goalkeeper Pamela Smithwick stepped out from the nets to trial Quick Hockey and spoke to us about the experience “I really enjoyed it. I was on a team with people I had never met so it’s a good way to meet new people.”
When asked if she found it difficult transitioning from a keeper to an outfield player for Quick Hockey she said “I didn’t feel disadvantaged playing Quick Hockey by virtue of the fact that I am a goalkeeper and this was due to the easy format and less technical skills required to play Quick Hockey. The bigger ball is more forgiving and the no hitting also makes it less intimidating when playing.”
Pamela felt it was a game that could have mass appeal “Quick Hockey will appeal to those that can’t commit to club training every week, also I think it will be great for schools and areas where there aren’t hockey facilities available. It was really good fun and great for fitness.”
Irish Hockey have laid out a five year plan to roll Quick Hockey out which will bring the game to new players who do not have the facilities to run the traditional 11 sided hockey format while also giving Irish Hockey the chance to bring hockey to new schools and communities.
The major difference between the traditional 11 a-side game and this format is this game is played with a bigger and lighter ball with simplified rules. This format is also played with smaller teams which can be mixed or single gender and it can be played on any surface. But beyond that it is fun, fast-paced so excellent for fitness and health, easy to play, can be played at any age and it is also perfect for beginners.
Irish Hockey has already trialled Quick Hockey with both Pembroke Wanderers Hockey Club and at the National Hockey Stadium with their target audiences with great success.
Quick-Facts
- Teams are 5-a-side but can be flexible
- Play anywhere – indoor or outdoor on pitches of any size
- Mixed or men/women only
- Simple rules with a larger ball
- Perfect for all levels including beginners
For more information on Quick Hockey, go to www.hockey.ie/quickhockey. More details about The Coca-Cola Thank You Fund are available at www.coca-cola.ie/thankyou.
