Vacancy: Membership Services Administrator with Badminton Ireland

Mar 2, 2012

Badminton Ireland is the national governing body for badminton in Ireland. As a governing sporting body, it promotes, regulates and delivers educational and participation services to members throughout Ireland.

 

The Membership Services Administrator has an essential role in ensuring the smooth running of Badminton Ireland. In addition to excellent administration skills, the administrator will be familiar with the amateur sports arena and will show interest, dedication and enthusiasm in the continuing professionalization and development of the sport of badminton in Ireland.

 

Send completed application form and CV to rvaughan@badmintonireland.com

Closing Date of application: Noon, Monday 2nd April.

For full details click here.

New squad structure for Ireland's women cricketers

Feb 29, 2012

IRELAND’S women cricketers are to get a brand new squad structure as they push towards the goal of becoming one of the best seven teams in the world.

Designed to closely mirror the men’s set-up, the new framework will demonstrate a clear pathway from Provincial Age Groups into the Senior National Team while also giving key indicators for players, coaches and selectors to aid development and selection.

The idea is to give young players a clearly recognised path to follow from when they first pick up a cricket bat all the way through to the national team.

Ireland captain Isobel Joyce can see nothing but good coming from the streamlining. She said: “It’s very exciting to see the new structure coming together. Younger girls now have a clear goal at an earlier age and I hope this will help to keep them in the game and excited about the opportunities they have within cricket.

“It’s also very important for the more experienced players to know those players are coming up behind them so they continue to push themselves.”

Cricket Ireland Performance Director Richard Holdsworth said “In previous years the women’s pathway has seen a variety of routes to Senior International level through teams such as A-team, Development, and Academy.

“By clearly identifying who are our established, high potential and developing international players, we can streamline that journey and make the player development programme within it much more targeted and specific to the needs of each player.”

The Pathway that Cricket Ireland has laid out incorporates three phases:

Senior: Established international players with a high degree of understanding of their own skill sets who will benefit from specific development in key areas to ensure regular high class performance.

Performance: High potential players who require further development of core skills but have previously represented Ireland and Province at senior and age group levels.

Emerging Player Programme: Players aged from 13 to 17 years who have demonstrated good performance
at or above their own age group and exhibit and a dedication and ambition to perform at the highest level.

The new structure will come into immediate effect as preparations continue for what is expected to be the busiest season ever for Irish women’s cricket.

Their fixtures will include competing in an enhanced ECB County Championship (with a minimum of eight games – up from four in 2011), the ECB T20 Cup, several T20 Internationals against full members to be played in the UK, and an ODI and T20 International series in Ireland. All confirmed fixtures will be announced in due course.

Holdsworth added: “Senior women’s coach Jeremy Bray will head up the senior programme, while part-time women’s performance coach Nigel Pyne leads the performance and emerging players programme with Jeremy assisting.

“Both coaches have huge experience and I am confident these programmes will give the players a great opportunity to improve and allow the Ireland women’s team to reach their target of seventh in the global rankings by 2015.”

Vacancy: CUSAI Assistant Head of Delegation

Feb 29, 2012

Assistant Head of Delegation.

 

The Colleges and Universities Sports Association of Ireland (CUSAI) seek to appoint an Assistant Head of Delegation to the Irish team that will attend the 2013 World University Games (Summer Universiade) in Kazan, Russia from the 6th – 17th July, 2013.

 

  1. 1.       General Brief:

 

CUSAI seeks a highly professional, qualified and experienced person to undertake the role of Assistant Head of Delegation in respect of the 2013 WUGs.

 

The Assistant Coach will be expected, and required, to support the Head of Delegation in undertaking and delivering, but not limited to, the duties outlined below. In addition the Assistant Head of Delegation (AHoD) will also be required to take full responsibility for the implementation of specific actions as identified by the Head of Delegation (HoD).

 

The successful candidate will support the HoD in:

 

  • Preparing the Irish delegation (‘Team Ireland’) for the 27th World University Games (‘WUG’) in Kazan, Russia (6th – 13th July 2013);
  • Engendering and fostering an environment of excellence within the Team Ireland delegation both during and in the lead up to the WUGs, including planning and administration activities which enhances the opportunity for Team Ireland athletes to excel;
  • Creating a vibrant, athlete‐focused culture;
  • Being a confident, committed leader operating in an intense environment both in the lead up to and during the WUGs;
  • Taking responsibility for the conduct of Team Ireland during the Games.

 

  1. 2.       Reporting to: Head of Delegation.

 

  1. 3.       Job Description (but not limited to):

 

Pre Games: The successful candidate will support the HoD in the undertaking of the following duties. In some instances the AHoD may be delegated by the HOD to take full responsibility for the undertaking of specific duties.

 

  • Assist in coordinating the planning process during the lead up to the WUGs including:
    • The production of relevant timelines and work plans;
    • The appointment of support team including Medical, Administrative and PR team;
    • Liaising with Russian Embassy representatives in relation to all visa requirements for delegation members;
    • The development of a logistics and travel plan;
    • The coordinating the sourcing and ordering of leisurewear and competition clothing;
    • The implementation of a WUG’s communication strategy;
    • Adhering to the 2013 WUGs budget and addressing funding issues in liaison with the CUSIA office, NGB, Irish Sports Council, Institute of Sport, and Sport Northern Ireland;
  • Where required liaise with NGB high performance managers (or equivalent personnel) regarding selection criteria, funding, athlete selections and the appointment of officials;
  • Maintain effective communications channels with athletes, officials, NGBs and the CUSAI Office;
  • Ensure that all members of the delegation carry out their duties and responsibilities as prescribed;
  • Act as a spokesperson for Team Ireland, both prior to and during the Games;
  • Enforce CUSAI policy: this includes having a role in handling any positive doping violation during the Games;

 

On Site: Duties may include:

 

  • Adhering to proper protocol with dignitaries, presenting gifts on behalf of the Team Ireland;
  • Attending daily Chef’s meetings called by the Host Organizing Committee;
  • Overseeing the accrediting of Team Ireland delegation members;
  • Chairing of daily team meetings with medical, administrative and PR staff as required;
  • Assisting in the administration of disciplinary cases;
  • Coordinating participation in the flag raising ceremonies;
  • Support the HoD in team building and morale raising exercises and
  • Assist media personnel with the gathering of results of Team Ireland  athletes.

 

  1. 3.       Person Specification:

 

Ideally the appointee:

 

  • Is experienced in the management of national sporting teams and capable of discharging the duties of the Assistant Head of Delegation;
  • Understands management principles and their application to managing a national sporting team;
  • Demonstrates a clear understanding of the issues relating to managing a International multi‐sports team;
  • Has demonstrated the capacity to plan and implement activities, to co‐ordinate people and resources, and to maintain appropriate monitoring and controls;
  • Has the interpersonal and management skills to successfully motivate and direct others;
  • Works effectively with all people and shows initiative in making decisions and taking action;
  • Demonstrates strong written and verbal communication skills:
  • Competent in dealing with high‐ranking representatives and officials, fellow sports officials, diplomatic officers and business leaders;
  • Maintains personal control and quality standards when faced with long hours of work and changing demands:
  • Shows enthusiasm and preparedness to put athlete performance before other considerations;
  • Available to travel to the 2013 WUG in Kazan and attend all Team Ireland WUG meetings in Dublin;
  • Demonstrates a good general working knowledge of sport, FISU rules and procedures, in order to support the individual sports athletes and officials through their respective administrative and technical requirements at the WUG’s;
  • Understands the various roles and support needs of performance managers, coaches and athletes in order to perform at their best in competition;
  • It is desired (but not essential) that the successful candidate has experience of, and has previously engaged, with CUSAI and/ or the tertiary sports sector.

 

  1. 4.       Remuneration:

 

This is an honorary position – no salary or honorarium will be paid to the postholder.

 

  1. 5.       Tenure of Post.

 

The appointment will be for an initial term of one World University Summer Games (Kazan 2013) and will conclude at the end of the 2013 World University Games.

 

  1. 6.       Application Process.

 

Nominations for the position of Assistant Head of Delegation are now sought.

 

Please complete a nomination form accompanied with a covering letter and forward to the CUSAI Office in confidence at Sport HQ, 13 Joyce Way, Parkwest, Dublin 12 or via email address to ciaran@cusai.ie.

 

The form must be countersigned by a representative of one of the following organisations:

 

  • CUSAI Member Institutions;
  • National Governing Body for Sport (ROI / NI) ;
  • Irish Student Sport Governing Body

 

The deadline for receipt of applications is 12 noon Friday, 16th March, 2012. 

Click here for further details or download the application form here

‘Reach for the Top – A Sporting Life’

Feb 28, 2012

DIT Sports & Recreation Service in co-operation with the GAA ASAP Programme are delighted to invite you to ‘Reach for the Top – A Sporting Life’  Open Forum at 7pm, on Thursday 1st March, at DIT Aungier Street

 

This event brings together some of the leading lights in the support of Sport and Athletes in Ireland, in an open forum event. You will get the chance to hear the latest updates and best practise in developing sport, and supporting Irish Athletes at the highest levels ask them questions about their own experiences.

 

To reserve your place, e-mail headofsport@dit.ie.

 

Entry is free – and refreshments will be provided (so make sure to book your place).

Stage set for All Ireland Club Finals

Feb 28, 2012

Representatives of this year’s club finalists gathered at CrokeParkthis afternoon in advance of Sunday’s (March 4th) double header All Ireland finals fixture at GAA HQ.

 

Una Leacy of Oulart the Ballagh (Wexford) joined Mary Looby of Drom/Inch (Tipperary) and Intermediate finalists, Aileen Moore of Eoghan Rua (Derry) and Aoife Lynskey of Ardrahan (Galway).

 

Oulart the Ballagh face Drom/Inch in the senior decider at 3.00pm and at 1.00pm defending Intermediate champions Eoghan Rua play Ardrahan.

 

A number of established inter-county players, such as the Leacy sisters, Una and Mary, Ursula Jacob (Oulart-the Ballagh, Wexford) and Joanne Ryan of Drom/Inch will also be aiming to add an elusive All Ireland club title to their playing honours on Sunday.

 

Speaking at this afternoon’s photocall President of the Camogie Association Joan O’Flynn said:

 

“We are delighted to be back inCrokeParkfor this year’s All Ireland Club Finals as the venue adds extra prestige to a momentous sporting occasion.

 

The opportunity of winning an All Ireland club title is something that all club camogie players aspire to. An All Ireland title at any grade is a huge honour, but a club All Ireland title is extra special because it is at club level where a player’s camogie career begins, where lifelong friendships are formed and where lasting bonds are created.

 

Clubs are an integral part of rural and urban communities and in many cases are the epicentres of activity in the area. Sunday’s double header finals will be a huge celebration of sport and also a demonstration of true community spirit in action as supporters rally to the cause.”

 

Wexford side Oulart the Ballagh recorded a convincing win over Antrim champions Loughgiel to book their final spot while a highly rated Drom/Inch side reached this year’s encounter following a superb win over champions Killimor in a re-fixed All Ireland semi-final on February 12th.

 

Defending Intermediate champions Eoghan Rua will be hoping to complete memorable back-to-back All Ireland wins but face a formidable challenge in Ardrahan, who defeated a strong Lismore side to reach this year’s decider.

 

This is the second year that the All Ireland Camogie Club Finals are taking place inCrokePark. The finals returned to theDublinvenue after a break of almost 40 years in 2011.

 

This year’s final also marks the return of Cáman & Run, a solo and handpass relay race in which four representatives from senior and junior schools compete at half time. In addition the All Ireland Junior club champions, Inagh will be honoured as well as the Volunteer of the Year Award recipients.