Volunteers in Sport Awards 2014

Apr 1, 2014

The annual search is on to celebrate and reward the dedication and commitment of the sporting volunteer.  The endless enthusiasm of the volunteer allows children and adults to participate in sport at every level throughout their communities.

An initiative of the Federation of Irish Sport in conjunction with the Irish Sports Council, the Department of Tourism, Transport and Sport and The Community Foundation of Ireland, the Volunteers in Sport Awards are run to honour the work of volunteers in Irish sport.

The awards are designed to recognise the contribution of the 500,000 volunteers who give so generously of their time to sport every year. Sport remains the single biggest driver of voluntary activity in Ireland.

Ten winners will be selected to receive an award from the nominations received. An Overall or Lifetime award to honour a volunteer, who has consistently given of their time for a sport, a team, or an event over many years, will also be awarded. Full details of the scheme and how to enter can be found on line at www.volunteersinsport.com

The deadline for nominations for the 2014 Volunteers in Irish Sport Awards is 12noon, Friday 25th April 2014.  The awards will be presented to the winners at a ceremony in the Aviva Stadium in early Autumn.

For further information, please contact:

Elaine Mooney, Federation of Irish Sport, elaine.mooney@irishsport.ie Tel: 01 6251155

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THE ROLE OF SPORT IN IRELAND TODAY – FEDERATION OF IRISH SPORT PUBLISHES ANNUAL REVIEW

Apr 1, 2014

  • Opportunity to maximise potential of sport for benefit of Ireland given the wide and varied contribution made by sport in 2013
  • Sport supports 40,000 Irish Jobs with the global value of sport estimated at between $350 – $450 billion each year
  • Calls for creation of cross-departmental strategy on sport or Master Plan for Sport which Minister for Sport has indicated will commence in 2014
  • Need for diversity in funding streams for sport such as extending existing tax concessions for donations to sporting bodies in line with recommendations of 2009 Commission on Taxation
  • Outlines key contribution by each of Ireland’s National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships in 2013
  • Includes thoughts of a selection of Irish business leaders, journalists, politicians and sporting personalities on the importance of sport to Ireland

The Federation of Irish Sport, as part of its 2013 Review of Irish Sport, has sought to highlight the wide and varied contribution sport makes to Ireland. The Review details some of the key achievements of Ireland’s National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships in 2013.

Irish Sport in numbers

This year’s Review is the 5th such report since the publication of the first “Why Irish Sport Matters” document in October 2009 and looks to chart the progress made in terms of sports policy in the intervening years. In this regard, the Federation welcomes the Ministers’ Vardakar and Ring’s recent announcement that they will commence work on an overall Sports Policy in 2014.

The Federation first touted the concept of a Master Plan for sport that would harness sport’s role in business, tourism, public health, social inclusion, education as well as its role in building Ireland’s reputation in 2012. The reason being that it is only with such a strategic approach to sport, and investment in sport, that the true potential of sport to deliver on other socio-economic objectives for Ireland can be realised.

Irish Sport continued to deliver for Ireland in 2013. Participation levels continue to increase whilst there was significant success on the international stage. 67 Irish athletes featured on the podium at major international events including Rob Heffernan’s gold medal, 15 World Championship Paralympic Medals, European Gold for sailor Annalise Murphy and a first Grand Slam for Ireland’s Women’s Rugby Team.

The Review states that this continued success at all levels of the sporting pyramid cannot be taken for granted and warns that without continued investment (both public and private) much of this progress could be undone. It is in this vein, that the Federation has used the Review to renew its call for a tax concession on donations to sporting bodies for current in addition to capital projects is introduced – as recommended by the Commission on Taxation in 2009.

Norah quoteThe Review this year also includes quotes from a number of Ireland’s political, business, media  and sporting leaders on their view of the importance of sport to Ireland and how they think sport can play in the creation of a better Ireland. Quotes from An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, journalist Vincent Browne, Paddy Power CEO, Patrick Kennedy, Harmonia Chairperson, Norah Casey and European Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley all outline a view that sport has and should have a role in the creation of a better Ireland.

Federation of Irish Sport CEO, Sarah O’Connor, said on publishing the Review:

“We are very proud of the achievements that our members, their clubs and volunteers have made to improve Irish Society in 2013, reaching every community in Ireland. Much of the off-field contribution of this work is seen for example in; bed nights, the purchasing of sports equipment and the benefits to participants of all ages of physical activity. Our members feel that a change of mind-set is required so that sport is no longer seen for just the sport itself but for all the ancillary benefits it delivers. The Federation believes that a strategic approach to sport should be adopted to ensure that all these potential benefits are harnessed and maximum benefit is derived from all public monies invested in sport. It is for this reason that we are looking for the Government to adopt a Master Plan for Sport. Singapore has already taken this step with the Government there embracing “Vision 2030: Living Better Through Sport”.  We believe that in Ireland, with the right support Irish Sport can do much more.”

A copy of the 2013 Annual Review is available here:

http://irishsport.ie/wpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Federation-of-Irish-Sport-Annual-Review-2013.pdf

Why Irish Sport Matters Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPslQvsieXQ

For further information, please contact:

Sarah O’Connor, CEO, Federation of Irish Sport 01-6251155

Event Profile: Irish Table Tennis Association- National Senior Championships 2014

Mar 31, 2014

The Event

GMaguireJMurphyFinal_2-430x336The achievement of the weekend would have to be Emma LUDLOW’S brilliant battle to claim her first National Senior title. An achievement that looks ever more extraordinary when she came into the event seeded 6th. At the group stages LUDLOW recorded a significant win over third seed Hannah LYNCH-DAWSON 3-2, which attracted the attention of the watching fans as the two girls’ battled it out. At the quarter final stage she came through a comfortable winner over Marta ZAREBA. The semi-final saw her face the number 1 seed Katie MCGLONE. The match was neck and neck and at 1-1 and the two girls battled hard and in two agonizingly close sets LUDLOW came out on top winning 14-12 and 12-10 to take a 3-1 lead. MCGLONE pulled back the fifth set, but LUDLOW stormed to an early lead in the sixth set and never looked back, she booked her place in the final to face 3 times National Champion Ashley GIVAN.

Ludlow Takes Maiden Title and McCreery Battles Back for 2 in a Row

The final saw LUDLOW take the opening sets 11-9, 11-9 and putting pressure on the experienced GIVAN. The spectators knew the battle wasn’t over and GIVAN pulled back the third 12-10. LUDLOW found another gear in the fourth set and took a 3-1 lead. The fifth set was neck and neck, the score was 9-9 and LUDLOW took the next point to have her first ever National Senior Championship point, GIVAN showed exceptional nerve and took the next 3 points and the set to bring it back to 3-2. However as in the semi-final LUDLOW was determined to wrap up the match, and raced to 10-2 lead. She now had 8 more championship points; but she only needed the one taking her maiden title 4-2. Emma ran straight to her mother Anne who had been anxiously sitting in the stands and a warm embrace from the proud mother was greeted with further applause.

228263_origIn the Mens Singles, the level was top class and it was very difficult to predict a winner. Remarkably, the semi-final pairings were identical to 2013, with Gavin MAGUIRE facing John MURPHY and Paul MCCREERY facing international team-mate Ashley ROBINSON. Murphy showed his supreme battling skills to push MAGUIRE all the way in an exciting match on the show court which had the crowd on the edge of their seats. MAGUIRE raced in to a 3-1 lead, showcasing his talent as he looked to move to the Final. Murphy is never beaten though and came back to level at 3-3 to set up a final set decider. Having been pushed all the way by Declan O’BRIEN in the Quarter Final, this was a step too far for MURPHY and MAGUIRE showed nerves of steel to progress to the National Senior Final. On the other side of the draw, MCCREERY had progressed all the way to the Semi-Final without dropping a set – he looked focussed and determined to retain his title.  He faced Ashley ROBINSON in the semi-final, and looked to avenge ROBINSON’s win from the Under 21s on Day 1. This was a spectacular match with both players playing some outstanding table tennis. McCreery fell 3-2 behind and for a moment he looked like he might relinquish his title. However, he battled back and we had another final set decider – with the margins so fine at this level, the experience of being National champion must have some bearing on the outcome, and McCreery just edged out the impressive ROBINSON to progress to the Final. Many commentators expressed the view that for ROBINSON, he will one day claim this title, but for 2014 we had a re-match of last year’s Final.

The eagerly awaited Final pitted two top class players against each other and they gave a demonstration of skill, athleticism and mental strength to provide a thrilling conclusion to the Championships. Maguire at 3-1 up must have fancied his chances of recording his 2nd National Senior title. McCreery, always composed, found himself battling again as he had done in the Semi-Final. He stepped up a gear that Maguire, on the day, could not match, claiming the 3 remaining sets (3,4,7) to claim a consecutive National title and bring the Eddie Limberg trophy home. The crowd cstood to acclaim both players and McCreery himself jumped on top of the table to celebrate, a mix of joy and relief etched on his face – he had been pushed all the way by Maguire.

In the Veterans, Dariusz Zatylny edged out Daryl Strong to claim the title. Ashley Robinson claimed the Under 21 Men’s Final, with a fine win over McCreery in the Semi-Final and a straight sets win over World Championship team-mate Ryan Farrell in the Final. In the Under 21 Women’s Final, Leeside TTC’s Chloe O’Halloran edged out UCD’s Sarah Timlin in an exciting Final.

In the Doubles, Katie McGlone and John Murphy teamed up – MURPHY had targeted this title as the only National title he had yet to win, and both players showed great strength and quality to claim the title with a win over Givan and Maguire in the Final. Murphy added to his title haul by combining with Paul McCreery to claim the Men’s Doubles title, with a win over Maguire and Robinson. It was great to see Amanda MOGEY back in action after significant injury troubles and she did not leave the Nationals empty handed, combining with Ashly Givan to claim the Women’s Doubles title.

The Para events saw some shock results. 18 Year old Colin Judge, recently confirmed as a member of Paralympics Ireland Fast-Track Panel of athletes, claimed his first National title in a tense Final against Philip Quinlan. Rena McCarron Rooney claimed the Women’s Wheelchair Singles, while Philip Quinlan and Ronan Rooney claimed the Doubles title, following a marathon semi-final over John Finn and Colin Judge and a Final win over Rena McCarron Rooney and Christine Doyle.

In the Class II Singles, UCD’s Kevin Hutchinson was in outstanding form, progressing to a title win without dropping a set, including an impressive win over Paul O’Toole at the Final stage.

ITTA Chief Operations Officer, Darren Coombes said:

“This event continues to grow and remains the most anticipated event on the ITTA Calendar. We had a really impressive volunteer effort and the use of a fantastic facility which allowed our top players put on a great display of table tennis. This was our first foray into live streaming and we were delighted with the results. Congratulations to all of our 2014 National Champions, in particular Paul McCreery and Emma Ludlow who claimed the Men’s and Women’s Singles titles in front of an enthralled crowd.”

He also thanked his wonderful team of volunteers, Event Referee Con O’Ceadaigh, Umpires, Media Team and Logistics team and extended congratulations to the 2014 crop of National Champions.

Full results available here (Knockout Draws) and here.

For Further Details see:

Website: http://www.irishtabletennis.com/itta

Twitter: @TableTennisIre

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TableTennisIreland?fref=ts

Eurobarometer on sport reveals high levels of inactivity in the EU- Ireland exercise or play sport most regularly (16%), 6th overall (52%)

Mar 28, 2014

According to the results of the latest Eurobarometer survey on sport and physical activity, 59% of European Union citizens never or seldom exercise or play sport, while 41% do so at least once a week.

Northern Europe is more physically active than the South and East. 70% of respondents in Sweden said they exercise or play sport at least once a week, just ahead of Denmark (68%) and Finland (66%), followed by the Netherlands (58%) and Luxembourg (54%). At the other end of the scale, 78% never do so in Bulgaria, followed by Malta (75%), Portugal (64%), Romania (60%) and Italy (60%).

Commenting on the findings, Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner responsible for sport, said: “The results of the Eurobarometer confirm the need for measures to encourage more people to make sport and physical activity a part of their daily lives. This is crucial, not only in terms of an individual’s health, wellbeing and integration, but also because of the significant economic costs resulting from physical inactivity. The Commission is committed to supporting Member States in efforts to encourage the public to be more active. We will implement the recently adopted Council Recommendation on health-enhancing physical activity and move ahead with plans for a European Week of Sport. The new Erasmus+ programme will also – for the first time – provide funding for transnational initiatives to promote sport and physical activity.”

The survey shows that local authorities in particular could do more to encourage citizens to be physically active. While 74% of respondents believe that local sport clubs and other providers provide sufficient opportunities for this, 39% think their local authorities are not doing enough.

Background

This Eurobarometer survey was carried out for the European Commission by the TNS Opinion & Social network in the 28 Member States between 23 November and 2 December 2013. Nearly 28 000 respondents from different social and population groups took part in the poll. The survey follows comparable surveys conducted in 2002 and 2009, and will contribute to providing data to support the development of policies to promote sport and physical activity.

Key findings from survey:

1. How often do you exercise or play sport?

2. How often do you engage in other physical activity?

For more information

MEMO/14/207

Eurobarometer survey on sport and physical activity

The EU’s role in sport

EC publishes report on Gender Equality in Sport: Proposal for Strategic Actions 2014-2020

Mar 22, 2014

Gender Equality in Sport

Experts’ proposal supports new strategic actions

A group of experts has just adopted an ambitious and innovative report in the field of gender equality and sport. The proposals made, draw on the conclusions of the EU Conference on Gender Equality in Sport of December 2013. They address all stakeholders in the field of sport as well as national governments and the European Commission.

The experts proposed measures relating to management, training, prevention of violence and the media, including:

  1. Changing recruitment policies for new posts in boards and staff, including coaching staff.
  2. Establishing apprenticeships and trainee positions in executive boards, management and selection teams for young female managers and coaches.
  3. Implementing modules in training courses for coaches and sport administrators.
  4. Setting up preventive programmes against gender-based violence in sport.
  5. Developing guidelines on how sport organisations can operate with the media to increase and improve media coverage of (mixed) major sport events.

Commissioner Vassiliou welcomed the ‘Proposal for Strategic Actions 2014-2020pdf Choose translations of the previous link ‘: “It is in the interest of all parties concerned to support gender equality in sport. Gender equality is important not only for women but also for the world of sport: equality brings quality”.

The actions and ideas developed in this document could lead to concrete political initiatives. The Council, for example, will decide in May whether to include gender equality in the future EU Work Plan for Sport and is also likely to adopt conclusions on Gender Equality in Sport. Financial support for this topic is also foreseen in the new EU programme Erasmus+: sport.

Commissioner Vassiliou will present any progress made in the coming months at the 6th World Conference on Women in Sport which will take place in June 2014, in Helsinki.