Jul 25, 2013
Background:
Triathlon Ireland is the National Governing Body for triathlon, aquathlon and duathlon across the island of Ireland and is affiliated to the International Triathlon Union and the European Triathlon Union.
The first triathlon in Ireland was held in Skerries in 1983 and was won by Ciaran ‘Ben’ Brady, an accomplished runner who was offered a scholarship to the University of Wyoming in America a year later.
The Irish Triathlon Association was founded a year later in 1984.
Membership:
Membership of Triathlon Ireland has seen huge growth over the past few years raising from 800 in 2005 to 7364 in 2012. 2013 looks to be another bumper year for triathlon with expected membership of over 8150.
Number of Clubs:
80 affiliated clubs.
Number of Particpating Schools:
We currently have no registered schools however this is an area we will be focusing on over the coming years as there is a huge demand for schools triathlon.
2012 Highlights:
The London Olympics was a big highlight for Triathlon Ireland with the qualificantion of Aileen Reid in the women’s race and Gavin Noble in the men’s race. It was the first time Ireland have qualified two triathletes and the first time a male Irish triathlete had reached the Olympic Games. It was also a great showcase of our sport with hundreds of thousands lining the streets of London and tuning in on TV to watch.
Westport teenage, Con Doherty put on a brilliant display at the Junior World Championships in Auckland and claimed a bronze medal. The result was a major boast for the Junior programme and showed that Ireland can win medals in triathlon and the quality of athlete coming through the system.
2012 also saw the first ever running of a Paratriathlon National Championships in Ireland. With Paratriathlons inclusion in the Rio 2016 Olympics this marked an important step in it’s development in Ireland.
Along with the elite and paratriathlon aspects the level of participation, member numbers and affiliated clubs also continued to rise and this was a highlight for the organisation. 2012 also saw clubs around the country establishing junior sections which lays the foundations for future growth in this area.
2013 Highlights (so far):
Highlights of the 2013 season so far included the return to elite racing in Ireland when Athlone hosted an ETU Junior European Cup. Triathlon Ireland’s National Junior Squad topped it off, with Con Doherty beating off the best of Europe to win the Junior Men’s race. Chris Mintern claimed silver while Emma Sharkey took bronze in the Junior Women’s race.
In the senior ranks Bryan Keane made a return to top level racing after a serious accident and secured Ireland’s first ever World Cup podium when he got silver in Japan.
From a commertial view point Triathlon Ireland are delighed to welcome on board a number of great sponsors. Europcar Ireland have been appointed as the Offical Vehical partner providing fleet support for the many events staff, coaches and athletes attend around the country. Newly established Irish concept clothing company, Shadow have come onboard as the Official Kit supplier. Triathlon Ireland now has a range of top quality kit and clothing available for both elite athletes and age groupers alike.
Good4U have also teamed up with Triathlon Ireland with their healthy snacks and products available at Vodafone National Series races around the country and finally you will find the National Junior Squad sporting the most highly regarded wetsuits on the market form Zone3.
What are the key events to look forward to in 2013?
On the domestic circut the upcoming National Championship events should be a great spectacle with the Kinetica Olympic Distance Championships taking place in the Phoenix Park, Dublin on the 25th of August.
Internationally Ireland will be represented at the ITU World Championships in London with a team of some 400 age group athletes competing. Elite triathletes Aileen Reid and Bryan Keane will be hoping to be on the start pontoon for the elite men’s and women’s race.
Key events calendar:
Kinetica National Sprint Championships Athlone 6th July
ETU Junior European Cup Athlone 7th July
National Aquathlon Championsips (Senior & Youth) Galway 20th July
Youth National Triathlon Championships Loughrea 4th August
Kinetica Olympic Distance National Championships Dlublin 25th August
ITU World Championships (Elite, Para & Age Group) London 11–15 Sept
Vodafone National Series Nationwide Weekly
How can people get involved in ?
If you’re interested in training for a triathlon get in touch with your local triathlon club and tap into the knowledge and experience they have. Club are very accommodating and welcoming of new members and hold training sessions on a regular basis for members of all abilities.
You can find a full list of clubs and sanctioned races on www.triathlonireland.com. If you are interested completing a triathlon or joining a club there is also information on the various membership options (Full, Student, Junior or Non Racing) on the Triathlon Ireland website.
Social Media Channel Links:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/triathlonireland
Twitter – https://twitter.com/tri_ireland
Youtube – http://www.youtube.com/user/triathlonirelandngb
Vimeo – https://vimeo.com/triathlonireland
Any interesting facts or statistics for inclusion in our Fact File:
70:30 male: female ratio
Largest Age Group 35-39yrs
Fastest growing Age Group U18’s
55 top 10 finishes at Continental Cup, World Cup & World Triathlon Series Races (Jan 2010 – June 2013)
170 sanctioned races around the country
Triathlon distances
Try-a-Tri/Super Sprint: 250m swim, 6km bike, 3km run
Sprint: 750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run
Standard/Olympic: 1500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run
Middle: 1900m swim, 90km bike, 21.1km run
Long: 3800m swim, 180km bike, 42.2km run
Aquathlon consists of a continuous, two-stage race involving swimming followed by running.
Duathlon is an athletic event that consists of a running leg, followed by a cycling leg and then another running leg.
Jul 25, 2013
Featured Event: 27th World University Games (7th – 17th July 2013)
Student Sport Ireland is the governing body for third level sport in Ireland and coordinates Irish student athlete participation at the World University Games.
About Student Sport Ireland: Student Sport Ireland (formerly CUSAI) is the governing body for third level sport on the island of Ireland. The organisation’s mission is to promote and develop third level sport in Ireland. Its vision is to work in partnership with national and international bodies identifying pathways for college communities to participate, compete and develop through sport and physical activity.
Student Sport Ireland sets out to meets its mission and 
vision through the coordination and implementation of key programmes ranging from increasing levels of physical activity amongst its student population (Partners in Participation programme), facilitating intercollegiate and national sports competitions (SSI Leagues and Intercollegiate Event of the Year Award) and high performance international events and competitions (World University Games, World University Championships, European University Games and the European University Championships).
Student Sport Ireland members include over 30 affiliated universities and colleges representing over 200,000 students on the island of Ireland. The organisation is housed at Irish Sport HQ in Blanchardstown, Dublin along with 18 other national governing bodies of sport.
The Event: The 27th World University Games.
Location: Kazan, Russia (800k east of Moscow)
Date: 7th – 17th July 2013
About the Event: The World University Games is an international sporting and cultural festival which is staged every two years in a different city. It is only second to the Olympic Games. The Summer Universiade consists of 10 compulsory sports with 13 compulsory disciplines and up to 3 optional sports chosen by the host country. The record figures are 10,622 participants in Shenzhen, China, in 2011 and 174 countries in Daegu, Korea, in 2003.
Embracing the motto of ‘Excellence in Mind and Body’, the World University Games incorporates educational and cultural aspects into 12 days of sports competitions, allowing university student-athletes from all over the world to celebrate with the host city in a true spirit of friendship and sportsmanship.
During the recent Kazan Games a total of 11,778 student athletes participated in 27 sports held in 64 sports venues with 351 sets of medals awarded.
Over 19,970 volunteers helped stage the 2013 World University with approximately 150,000 visitors.
The 2013 University Games were broadcast by more than 100 TV channels with the organisers indicating that more than 1 billion and 1.5 billion people watched the Opening and Closing Ceremonies respectively.
Team Ireland: A delegation of 83 travelled to participate at the University Games earlier this month. The delegation included 56 athletes, 16 team officials, 5 medical personnel, 3 administrative staff, one football referee and a photographer. The Team Ireland delegation was led by Head of Delegation Cathy Gallagher (Trinity College Dublin) and Assistant Head of Delegation Neasa Fahy O’Donnell (University of Limerick) who were attending their 6th and 3rd World University Games respectively.
Irish athletes competed in the 10m Air Rifle, Athletics, Gymnastics, Men’s Football, Rowing, Swimming and Women’s Football competitions.
Please follow this link to view the Team Ireland Delegation in full: 2013 World University Games Team Ireland.
How the Event Went:
Team Ireland enjoyed an extremely successful 2013 World University Games. Limerick swimmer and University of Calgary student Fiona Doyle secured a brilliant silver medal in the 100m Breaststroke and came within 0.01 seconds (it takes longer to blink) of a bronze medal in the 50m breaststroke.
Additional outstanding achievements at the Games included
- 5 new national senior swimming records – 4 by Andrew Meegan (University of Limerick) and 1 by Fiona Doyle;
- Qualification to the final of their respective events/disciplines by 11 athletes:
i. Amy Foster (University of Ulster) – 5th in the 100m final;
ii. Andrew Meegan (University of Limerick) – 7th in the 1500m freestyle;
iii. Brian Gregan (Dublin City University) – 5th in the 400m final;
iv. Chris Bryan (University of Limerick) – 7t
h in the 10k Open Water Swim;
v. Claire Tarplee (Loughborough University) – 8th in the 1500m;
vi. Fiona Doyle (University of Calgary) – 2nd in the 100m Breaststroke and 4th in the 50m Breaststroke;
vii. Jessie Barr (University of West England) – 6th in the 400m hurdles;
viii. Laura Reynolds (Dublin City University) – 6th in the 20k walk;
ix. Michelle Finn (University of Western Kentucky) – 7th in the 3k Steeplechase;
x. Monika Dukarska (IT Tralee) – 4th in the Women’s Single Sculls and
xi. Tomás Cotter (Wichita State University) – 10th in the 3k Steeplechase.
- Commendable 5th and 6th placing for our men’s and women’s football teams.
However undoubtedly the most successful aspect of the 2013 World University Games was the spirit of togetherness and one for all generated by Team Ireland during the games and which was so expertly fostered by Cathy Gallagher and Neasa Fahy O’Donnell as Head of Delegation and Assistant Head of Delegation respectively. The 82 members of Team Ireland have now gone their separate ways and while they will never again come together as one they share the brilliant memories of the Kazan World University Games.
To view a detailed breakdown of the Team Ireland results please follow this link: 2013 World University Games Results.
Finally to view a sample of photographs by Cathal Noonan (Inpho) please follow this link: 2013 World University Games Gallery.
What Next for Student Sport Ireland?
September sees the organisation implement an exciting pr
omotional campaign to introduce the new Student Sport Ireland brand, logo and web site to our affiliated members’ 200,000 or so students. The promotional campaign will reflect the new brand’s sense of energy and activity of student sport and lead to increased awareness of, and input to, the organisation and its work, in the coming months and years by students.
In October SSI coordinates the 2nd Annual Student Networking Event which provides third level student sports club administrators the opportunity to network with their peers and to receive valuable information, guide lines, best practice and tips on developing their club and organising student sports events.
Early November sees the return of the Student Sport Ireland Intercollegiate leagues across eight sports including badminton, hockey, karting, pool, men’s rugby, netball, volleyball and women’s rugby. The leagues run right through to the end of March with approximately 2,000 students participating across the eight sports.
For more information on Student Sport Ireland you can visit their website here
Jul 24, 2013
Waterford Sports Partnership was established in 2002
by the Irish Sports Council as part of the national network of Local Sports
Partnerships, to co-ordinate and promote the development of sport at
local level. Our main aim is to increase participation in sport and physical
activity especially amongst specific target groups and to ensure that local
resources are used to the best effect. Read More here
Jul 24, 2013
There is just one week left for non-profits on the island of Ireland to apply to the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund, which is making €125,000 available in 11 separate grants this year.
The Fund will award one overall winner €25,000 and ten others €10,000 each for innovative community-based projects that encourage people to live more balanced, active and healthy lifestyles.
Applications must be made via the Coca-Cola website, www.coca-cola.ie/thankyou, before the 31st of July. More information about the fund is also available on the website.
Jul 19, 2013
Overview:
The UCD MSc in Sport and Exercise Management provides a high quality evidence-based programme for motivated individuals who are employed in or who are seeking careers in the sports industry. We are currently seeking “live” industry projects from sports organisations which students can complete during the MSc programme. Students mentored by academic staff and industry experts will produce project reports and presentations to the organisations as the outcome of this work. We believe this process will not only support the development of the students’ knowledge and skill base but will deliver a meaningful outcome for organisations in a cost neutral manner.
UCD MSc in Sport and Exercise Management:
The programme was established by the UCD Centre for Sports Studies in 2010. Graduates of the programme have established careers in the sports industry with organisations such as the Federation of Irish Sport, FAI, GAA, Leinster Rugby and Nike. The aim of the programme is to provide professional evidence-based education and training which produces effective sport managers / administrators to service the management levels of sport agencies in the public, voluntary and commercial/corporate sectors in Ireland and overseas. As part of the MSc, students undertake modules in key areas of sport management such as:
- Sport governance and law
- Sport marketing
- Sponsorship and event management
- Strategic planning and business enterprise
- Finance and human resources for sport.
Modules are delivered by academic and expert industry-based lecturers through the medium of case studies, group work, interactive simulation exercises all focusing upon industry-based issues.
“Live” Industry Projects:
To support this process, we would welcome projects in the above or related areas from National Governing Bodies or similar organisations which students could complete during the programme. For example, sample projects might include, the development of a marketing plan for new sports related initiative, the development of a bid document to host an event, the creation of a sponsorship proposal for a sports body / event, a review of governance practices across member clubs within a sport; or strategic analysis and planning for particular organisational issues.
We currently envisage that these projects would be completed in one of two ways:
- As an assignment which is completed during a related module such as Sports Marketing with the output being a report and presentation to the client organisation.
- As the students’ MSc Research Project, with the output being an extensive project report and presentation to the client organisation.
During completion of this work, students would be supported by industry experts and academic staff from the UCD Centre for Sports Studies
Benefits to the Organisation and to the Students:
The benefits for organisations include, the delivery of a high quality piece of work which may not be otherwise currently feasible for the organisation and supporting the development of potential future employees. The benefits for the students include experience with “live” industry relevant issues which further enhances their knowledge and skill base.
Further Information:
If you have any queries or would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact, Dr James Matthews, MSc Programme Director at 716 3449 or james.matthews@ucd.ie .
