Sep 7, 2012
Coca-Cola HBC Ireland today announced the details of 45 non-profit organisations shortlisted for the ‘Coca-Cola Thank You Fund’. These organisations are in with a chance to be awarded grants from the Fund, which stands at €125,000. One overall winner will be awarded €25K with ten runners up receiving €10K in funding. The public vote will go live from this Saturday the 1st of September and will close on 30th of September 2012. The public vote will count for 50% of the total vote with the judging panel awarding the remaining 50% of votes available.
The ‘Coca-Cola Thank You Fund’, which is being operated in partnership with The Wheel and the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) has been designed to support projects and initiatives that are promoting active lifestyles throughout the island of Ireland.
Speaking today, Erica Roseingrave, Public Affairs and Communications Manager, Coca-Cola
HBCIreland said: “The response to the ‘Coca-Cola Thank You Fund’ has been tremendous. We’ve received so many fantastic entries which showcase the inspirational work that takes place at grassroots level in communities all around Ireland. Out of the entries received the 45 that made the shortlist were those that either had a new or innovative idea or were ones that we felt have the potential to have a positive impact on larger groups of people in communities across the country. We hope that the funding that is being made available will be used to fund projects that will have a long-term and sustainable benefit. We know from our experience last year that when organisations receive funding of this nature that they can do amazing things. We are very excited about the potential projects in the shortlist and would encourage members of the public to go online to www.coca-cola.ie/thankyou, review the applications and to vote for their favourite.”
“We would also like to thank all those that were not shortlisted for taking the time to apply for funding. We were very impressed by all the entries and amazed and humbled by the work that is being done – in many cases by dedicated and hard-working volunteers. We would like to wish all those organisations best wishes for the future. From this Saturday, the 1st of September the shortlist will be available online and the public have up until the 30th of September to cast their vote. In parallel with the public vote our judging panel will be casting their votes and together with our judges, I would like to wish the final 45 the best of luck in these final stages.”
The eleven winners of the grants will be announced in November 2012. One overall winner will receive a grant for €25,000 with the ten runners up receiving individual grants of €10,000.
The judging panel is made up of a variety of experts and promoters of active lifestyles who were selected because of their proven track-record in making positive contributions in this area. Judges include:
- Erica Roseingrave, Public Affairs and Communications Manager, Coca-ColaHBCIreland
- Karl Henry, Personal Trainer
- Alan Quinlan, Former MusterRugby/IrelandPlayer
- Sarah O’Connor, Chief Executive at The Federation of Irish Sports
- Eoghan Murphy, Fine Gael TD inDublinSouth East
- Deirdre Garvey , CEO, The Wheel
- James Laverty, NICVA
- John Heaslip, CEO, Business in the Community NorthernIreland
Welcoming the shortlisted forty five, Deirdre Garvey, CEO, The Wheel said: “Once again, we are delighted to partner with Coca-Cola on this project. This is the second year of The Fund and it’s great to work with Coke and our fellow judges to identify the most worthy projects which could potentially go on to receive quite a significant amount of money from the ‘Coca-Cola Thank You Fund’. The great aspect of this Fund is that the money goes directly back into the communities around the country. The projects shortlisted rose to the top of the pile and I hope the public will play their part in choosing the winning eleven by logging on and casting their vote.”
To view the shortlist for the ‘Coca-Cola Thank You Fund’ and vote for your favourite log onto www.coca-cola.ie/thankyou before midnight on the 30th September 2012.
|
Organisation Name
|
County |
| Arthritis Ireland |
Dublin |
| Athea Tidy Towns Committee |
Limerick |
| Aughrim RFC |
Wicklow |
| Autism Initiatives NI |
Antrim |
| Ballina Boxing Club |
Mayo |
| Ballyduff AFC |
Waterford |
| British Amateur Gymnastics Association |
Antrim |
| Castleknock Hurling and Football Club |
Dublin |
| CoisCeim Dance Theatre Ltd |
Dublin |
| Cork Association for Autism |
Cork |
| Edward Gillman Memorial Sports |
Cork |
| Excel Gymnastics Club |
Kildare |
| Foroige the National Youth Development Organisation |
Dublin |
| Fortwilliam & Macrory Presbyterian Church |
Antrim |
| Glendalough and District Development Association |
Wicklow |
| Golden Falls Waterski Club |
Kildare |
| Irish Olympic Handball Association |
Dublin |
| Listowel Community Centre Ltd. |
Kerry |
| Localise Youth and Community Service Ltd. |
Dublin |
| Loughgiel Shamrocks GAC |
Antrim |
| Munster Wheelchair Rugby |
Cork |
| National Council for the Blind of Ireland |
Dublin |
| National Trust |
Derry |
| National Youth Federation |
Dublin |
| Navan Community Childcare Ltd. |
Meath |
| NI at Play |
Armagh |
| North West Alcohol Forum Ltd |
Donegal |
| Omagh Thunder Basketball Club |
Tyrone |
| parkrun (ireland) |
Antrim |
| Phoenix ADHD Project |
Derry |
| Rebel Wheelers |
Cork |
| ROTHAR bikes for the community |
Dublin |
| Shopmobility Belfast Ltd. |
Antrim |
| SOS Kilkenny Ltd |
Kilkenny |
| Spraoi agus Spórt |
Donegal |
| Stella Maris Rowing Club Ringsend |
Dublin |
| Straffan camogie club |
Kildare |
| Tallaght Travellers Community Development Project |
Dublin |
| The Alzheimer Society of Ireland |
Dublin |
| The Carers Association |
Offaly |
| The Cedar Foundation |
Antrim |
| The Guide Association in Ulster |
Down |
| The Trampoline Network |
Down |
| Yola Hedge School |
Wexford |
| Zanshin Shotokan Karate Club |
Derry |
Aug 30, 2012
The Paralympic Games kicked off today! We’ve compiled a list of all the Irish Paralympians who use social media so you can follow their journey in the days and weeks ahead:
ATHLETICS:
AILISH DUNNE (@awesome_ails) – Discuss/Shot Putt 
JASON SMITH (@smyth_jason) – 100m/200m 
MICHAEL McKILLOP (@Mckillop21) – 800m/1500m
ORLA BARRY (@xorlabarryx) – Discus
RAY O’DWYER (@RayODwyer) – Discuss/Javelin/Shot Putt
BOCCIA:
PADRAIC MORAN (@padraicsboccia) – BC1/BC2 Team
CYCLING:
COLIN LYNCH (@TTworldchamp) – Track – 3km Individual, Team Sprint/Road – Time Trial, Road Race
ENDA SMYTH (@enda_smyth) – Track – 1km Time Trial, 3km Individual Pursuit, Team Sprint/Road – Road Race/Time Trial
JAMES BROWN (@jbcycling) – Track – 1km Time Trial, 4km Individual Pursuit/Road – Time Trial, Road Race
KATIE-GEORGE DUNLEVY – (@KatieGDunlevy) – Track – 1km Time Trial, 3km Individual Pursuit/Road – Road Race, Time Trial
MARK ROHAN (@mark_rohan) – Handcycling – Time Trial, Road Race
SANDRA FITZGERALD (@SandieFitz) – Track – 1km Time Trial, 3km Individual Pursuit/Road – Road Race, Time Trial
EQUESTRIAN
Helen Kearney (@KearneyHelen) – Team Test, Individual Championship & Freestyle
ROWING
KEVIN DU TOIT (@kedutoit) – Mixed Cox Four (Lead Stroke Seat)
SHANE RYAN (@ShaneRyan4) – Mixed Cox Four
SARAH CAFFREY (@SarahCaffrey) – Mixed Cox Four (Two Seat)
HELEN ARBUTHNOT (@helen_arbuthnot) – Mixed Cox Four (Cox)
SAILING
Anthony Hegarty (@ant_hegarty) – 3-Person Keelboat (Sonar)
SWIMMING
DARRAGH McDONALD (@Darragh_McD) – 50m, 100m & 400m Freestyle
LAURENCE McGIVERN (@LaurenceMcG) – 100m Backstroke
JAMES SCULLY (@jamespscully) – 50m, 100 & 200m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke
SHOOTING
SEÁN BALDWIN (@SeanBaldwin1) – 10m Air Rifle Standing & Prone, 50m Air Rifle Prone, 50m Rifle 3 Ways
TABLE TENNIS
EIMEAR BREATHNACH (@mrseimearb) – Singles, TT 1-3 Team
Aug 7, 2012
Volunteering in sport has never been more important to Ireland
The importance of volunteering in Irish sport has never been more important than in today’s difficult economic times when funding for Irish sport is at its most stretched. The efforts of the 450,000 people who each year volunteer their time is crucial to the well-being of Irish sport according to Sarah O’Connor, the Chief Executive of the Federation of Irish Sport.
“It is in recognition of those efforts that the National Awards to Volunteers in Irish Sport were set up a number of years ago” said Ms O’Connor who was announcing that the deadline for nominations for this year’s awards has been extended to Friday, August 24th, to ensure that these dedicated individuals are recognised for the work they do.
Sport remains the biggest driver of voluntary activity in Ireland and the work of volunteers in sport is vital at every level. Without grassroots helpers, sport simply wouldn’t happen. The Irish athletes currently representing their country arrived at the pinnacle of their sporting careers as a result of the hours of passion, dedication and effort that volunteers afforded them as they developed as players and athletes.
This was highlighted by Irish Olympic swimmer Sycerika McMahon at the launch of the awards in May: “It is impossible to get to the Olympics irrespective of the sport without a huge number of people making sacrifices to get you to that point. This includes friends, family, coaches but also the people at my club and school who invested me at the beginning when I was just another child learning to swim.”
From the nominations received, ten winners will be selected to receive an award at the ceremony in the Aviva Stadium in November. 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.
This is the fourth edition of the Volunteers in Irish Sport Awards, which is an initiative of the Federation of Irish Sport in conjunction with the Irish Sports Council, the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport and The Community Foundation of Ireland.
Full details of the scheme and how to nominate can be found on line at www.volunteersinsport.ie. Nominations can be made by clubs, individuals or sporting bodies.
Aug 3, 2012
In January of this year he Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, TD, launched a stakeholders’ consultation process as part of a review his department commissioned into certain aspects of the Irish Horse Racing Industry.
As part of that consultation process, the Federation of Irish Sport made a written submission which was provided to Indecon – the successful tenderer to carry out the review – for consideration and assessment.
The Federation’s submission focused on the funding of the Horse Racing Industry with a particular focus on revenue generated via the betting turnover tax and its subsequent distribution. The Federation is of the view that in the interests of equity and fairness the proceeds of government revenue generated through taxation on gambling should be used to provide vital investment to the rest of Ireland’s sporting community in addition to continued support of Horse Racing.
The Indecon Report on the future of the Horse Racing Industry was published by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on Tuesday and Minister Coveney has indicated that some recommendations in the report may be acted upon as soon as September.
Below is a summary of what was contained in Indecon’s report relevant to the points raised in the Federation’s submission:
Section 3 of the report deals with the industry’s funding arrangements.
Executive summary of section 3:
Significant funding challenges must be surmounted to ensure the horse racing industry realises its potential. There are however concerns over the appropriateness and medium term sustainability of funding for the industry unless changes are made.
Our analysis indicates that the main potential source of additional funding is from the betting industry.
There is also a need to focus on maximising sponsorship and commercial income.In reviewing funding arrangements for this sector, Indecon believes it is important to also consider Ireland’s competitive position vis-à-vis:
- the ease of mobility of betting operators,
- the price elasticity of demand for betting, and
- betting tax compliance as it concerns remote betting operators.
In addition we believe it is necessary to consider staging of any changes in taxation.
Other funding issues include:
- the appropriateness of the racehorse industry’s requirements being exactly aligned with betting duty revenues.
Indecon’s assessment indicates that, in terms of funding, it is important that sufficient funding is provided to ensure reasonable prize money and to enhance the reputation of the Irish horse racing sector. Resources are also needed to finance racing integrity services, which are essential to the maintenance of the credibility and reputation of the sector. The development of racecourses and maintaining the disease free status of Irish bloodstock also require appropriate funding. In addition, effective international marketing is an important component in realising the economic potential of this unique sector.
The dependence on very scarce exchequer resources to the extent which currently exists represents a major strategic vulnerability for the sector given the current state of the public finances. Indecon therefore believes new sources of funding are urgently required to support the industry and to reduce the industry’s dependence on exchequer funding.
Indecon strongly supports additional and sustainable funding for the development of the sector but this must be accompanied by an equal priority to maximise efficiency, effectiveness and value for money.
Report recommendations on funding of the sector:
1. Measures should be introduced to secure a significant increase in taxation from the
Betting Sector.
2. A multi-annual commitment of funds should be considered to support the development of
the sector.
3. Greater funding certainty should be introduced to support medium term planning for the
integrity services in Irish racing.
4. As betting revenues increase there should be potential to significantly reduce general
Exchequer expenditure other than funds raised from betting taxation.
5. The merits of replacing the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund should be considered.**
6. All betting operators should be required to obtain a Licence.
7. Taxation should be levied on the same basis on Betting Exchanges and on Remote as well
as on Traditional Bookmakers.
8. Licence Fees for All Offshore and other Bookmakers should be increased.
9. Taxation on betting should be on a place of consumption basis.
10. Rate of betting duty should initially be set at 1%.
11. Rate of Duty should be reviewed after one year.
12. Duty on betting intermediaries should be divided between layers and backers.
13. Effective compliance measures should be introduced based on a careful definition of what
is a betting “event”
**Indecon state that they do not believe specific taxes should be ring-fenced for specific functions and that there is merit in treating this as general tax revenue and making expenditure decisions on standard criteria.
The text of the Betting Amendment Bill was also published within the last two weeks. The amended Bill will extend the existing 1% turnover tax on bookmaker’s activities to remote bookmakers and also introduce a 15% commission tax on betting exchanges.
Links:
Federation of Irish Sport Submission
The Indecon Report
Press Release from the Dept of Agriculture
Irish Examiner – Taxpayers’ €29m grant to horse racing sector deemed unsustainable
Irish Examiner – Coveney defends €29m-per-year horse-racing spend
Irish Times – Coveney welcomes horse racing review
Irish Times – Going gets tough
Jul 25, 2012
This year’s Olympic Games has been renamed by some as the ‘Socialympics’ – never before has the public had such a level access to the athletes and insight into their preparations and experiences leading up to the games.
We’ve compiled a list of all the Irish Olympians who use social media so you can follow their Olympic journey in the days and weeks ahead:
Athletics – Badminton – Canoeing – Cycling – Equestrian – Gymnastics – Judo – Modern Pentathlon – Sailing – Swimming – Triathlon
ATHLETICS
JESSIE BARR (@JessieBarr247) – Womens 4 x 400m Relay
CLAIRE BERGIN (@BerginClaire)
BRENDAN BOYCE (@brendanboyce) – Mens 50K Road Walk
MICHELLE CAREY (@michellec400) – Womens 4 x 400m Relay
ALISTAIR CRAGG (@alistaircragg) – Mens 5,000m
JOANNE CUDDIHY (@jojo400) – Womens 400m
COLIN GRIFFIN (@colingriffin) – Mens 50K Road Walk
MARIAN HEFFERNAN (@rm_heffernan) – Womens 4 x 400m Relay
ROB HEFFERNAN (@rm_heffernan) – Mens 20K and 50K Road Walk
PAUL HESSION (@phession) – Mens 200m
MARK KENEALLY (@markk42k) – Mens Marathon
OLIVE LOUGHNANE (@oliveloughnane) – Womens 20K Road Walk
CIARAN O’LIONAIRD (@gociaran) – Mens 1,500m
DERVAL O’ROURKE – Womens 100m Hurdles 
STEPHANIE REILLY – Womens 3,000m Steeplechase
LAURA REYNOLDS (@laurareynolds89) – 20K Walk
BADMINTON
CHLOE MAGEE (@chloenmagee) – Womens Singles
SCOTT EVANS (@scott_evans1) – Mens Singles
BOXING
PADDY BARNES (@paddyb_ireland) – Mens 49kg
MICHAEL CONLAN (@mickconlan11) – Mens 52kg
JOHN JOE NEVIN (@johnjoenevin) – Mens 56kg
ADAM NOLAN (@AdamNolan12) – Mens 69kg
DARREN O’NEILL (@darrenoneil) – Mens 75kg
CANOEING
EOIN RHEINISCH (@eoinrheinischpr) – Mens K1 Slalom
CYCLING
MARTYN IRVINE (@martyn_irvine) – Omnium
DAN MARTIN (@danmartin86) – Road Race
NICOLAS ROCHE (@nicholasroche) – Road Race
EQUESTRIAN
AOIFE CLARK (@aoifeclark) – Three Day Eventing
MARK KYLE (@queenholme) – Three Day Eventing
JOSEPH MURPHY (@JMurphyEventing) – Three Day Eventing
MICHAEL RYAN (@DoneganRyanEven)
CAMILLA SPEIRS (@CamillaSpeirs) – Three Day Eventing
GYMNASTICS
KIERAN BEHAN (@kieranbehanirl) – Mens Artistic
JUDO
LISA KEARNEY (@kearney_judo) – Womens 48kg
PENTATHLON
NATALYA COYLE (@natalyacoyle) – Womens
ARTHUR LANIGAN-O’KEEFFE (@arthurlok1) – Mens
SAILING
ANNALISE MURPHY (@annalise_murphy) – Womens Laser Radial
DAVID BURROWS (@olearyburrows) – Mens Star
JAMES ESPEY (@james_espeyirl) – Mens Laser
SCOTT FLANIGAN (@470ireland) – 470
MATTHEW MCGOVERN (@Irish49er) – 49er
PETER O’LEARY (@olearyburrows) – Mens Star
GER OWENS (@470ireland) – 470
RYAN SEATON (@Irish49er) – 49er
SWIMMING
SYCERIKA MCMAHON (@sycerika) – Womens 100m Breaststroke
BARRY MURPHY (@barry_j_murphy) – Mens 100m Breaststroke
MELANIE NOCHER (@melanienocher) – Womens 200m Backstroke
TRIATHLON
AILEEN MORRISON (@aileenmorr) – Womens https://twitter.com/#!/gavontwitt
GAVIN NOBLE (@gavontwitt) – Mens
