May 21, 2020
STATEMENT FROM THE FEDERATION OF IRISH SPORT IN RELATION TO THE CURRENT STATE OF SPORT IN IRELAND
Federation calls for a Resilience Fund for Sport and a task force to specifically focus on the survival and reignition of sport organisations nationwide
Issued on behalf of our members the 81 National Governing Bodies and 29 Local Sports Partnerships that organise Sport and Physical Activity in Ireland
There has been no organised sport in Ireland for 10 weeks. The stark reality is that the knock-on effects of Covid-19 financially for all sports organisations in the country are devastating. Within the last week, we have seen a number of our major team sports talk publicly of losses up to 70% of their turnover. Unfortunately, we are also seeing these types of percentages in revenue losses right across the sporting landscape in Ireland. All sports have been impacted.
While we welcome the setting up of the Return to Sport Expert Group, its remit is very specific which is to assess the consistency of the various protocols being prepared by NGBs to return to sport in Ireland. The Federation believes however that in addition to this Group, that sport needs a separate Task Force similar to the one Government has set up for the Tourism Industry. We need innovative thinking, swift action, and investment at local and national level providing business and administrative supports to Irish Sport to help sustain it through this unprecedented emergency and the recovery.
The fact is that many of our 13,000 clubs and sporting organisations may not survive the financial impact of Covid-19 without financial assistance now. We are calling on the Government to introduce a Resilience Fund for sport immediately.
While the government are to be commended not alone on their support for the charitable sector but also for the €250 million fund set up for small business, the reality is that sport needs similar support. Sports clubs across all sports are in most cases small businesses as well as social enterprises – in some cases not that small either! It is all too easy to forget that sport in Ireland is today an industry that employs some 40,000 people (supported by some 500,000 volunteers) and which also accounts for €2.7 billion in consumer spending. It also is worth €500 million to our tourism industry.
The Covid-19 Irish Sport Resilience Fund needs to be established by Government as a matter of urgency. Similar funds were introduced by Sport England and Sport New Zealand a number of weeks ago. As is the case in both those countries, support will be needed for club and community sports organisations as well as sports organisations funded through Sport Ireland. This financial assistance must help sports organisations facing particular financial difficulty and support organisations in getting back to business and adapting to the new reality as restrictions lift.
There has been a significant fall off in income, as the normal revenue sources such as subscriptions, gate receipts, sponsorship, summer camp and coach education income have dried up. At the same time, running costs including insurance and facilities maintenance all continue to be incurred. Most sports clubs are not-for-profit organisations with minimal reserves, and they are now also facing substantial costs to be able to implement return to sport protocols in accordance with public health guidelines.
This at a time when physical activity and exercise has never been as important to maintain both physical and mental wellbeing. Irish Sport is supporting the Government call in this regard with sports organisations of all types being innovative in their use of digital channels to encourage activity and maintain a sense of community.
-ENDS-
May 21, 2020
Please find attached updated COVID-19 public health advice posters. The Department of Health has produced two posters for public use. The first is a general public information poster and the other is aimed at staying safe outdoors.
COVID-19 Stay Safe Outside Portrait A3
COVID-19 Stay home. Stay safe. Protect each other A3 Portrait
Please share these with all relevant staff for their use as appropriate.
Please also see link to guidance on the safe use of face covering https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/aac74c-guidance-on-safe-use-of-face-coverings/
May 21, 2020
4 in 10 SUPPORT A RETURN TO LIVE SPORT IN 2020
1 in 5 Irish adults support the idea of playing landmark Irish sporting events including the GAA Senior Football & Hurling Championships, Guinness 6 Nations & Autumn Series Rugby and FAI League of Ireland behind closed doors and viewable digitally in the second half of 2020, with a further 17% in favor of reduced capacity crowds being allowed to attend such games, according to new research by sponsorship consultants ONSIDE.
The latest wave of the ONSIDE Sponsorship Market Monitor has revealed that 44% of Irish adults claim that they will only attend live sports events or concerts when a vaccine is available for Covid-19, with the varying sports fan bases of GAA, Rugby and Irish soccer largely aligned on their return to play preferences.
4 in 10 Irish adults also believe the remaining Republic of Ireland Senior Men’s International Team qualifiers for the postponed UEFA European Championships in 2021 at the Aviva Stadium should be played out later this year. According to John Trainor, Founder and CEO of ONSIDE: “Age is a definite factor in Irish adults’ return to play preferences. While 3 in 10 young Irish adults aged 18-24 are against these games being played out this year, this grows to 52% of adults aged 45-64”.
Trainor continued, “The return to sports on the global stage has been a success for early movers so far, with high interest and viewership gains won for many. Over 6 million viewers tuned in across Germany for Sky’s coverage of the return to football between Borussia Dortmund and Schalke, which represents a doubling of what would have been expected for the game under normal circumstances. Similarly, the return of Nascar’s North American stock car racing series on May 17th delivered an average audience of 6.32 million viewers for US broadcast network Fox, up nearly 40% compared to the last race to take place before the series was paused due to the current pandemic.”
Trainor noted that: “Among the 17% in favour of events going ahead in Ireland with live attendees later this year, 50% capacity is the preferred option, with close to 1 in 10 generally open to the major sports events tested in our research being played in half filled sports stadia”.
The ONSIDE survey also uncovered a more cautious approach by the Irish public to returning to live music, arts and theatre performances at major indoor venues in 2020, with 1 in 4 in favor of reduced capacity or digitally streamed music concerts, while close to 6 in 10 would rather see such events in major indoor entertainment venues hold off on a return until 2021.
Striking a somewhat positive note for income streams of sports, music and theatre rights holders in Ireland, 30% of Irish adults would be ready to buy a ticket now to a major sports, music or theatre event that is due to take place in the first half of next year. Trainor notes that: “Encouragingly for the indoor music and theatre sector, their ‘regular fans’ in particular are more likely to be ready to buy into 2021 shows now, with 48% of regular goers to venues like the 3 Arena and Bord Gáis Energy Theatre ready to buy tickets now for 2021 shows at such venues”.
Testing the business case for sponsorship within this landscape, the latest ONSIDE research found that 53% of sports fans and 60% of music and arts event goers believe that in today’s economy, it is more important than ever for companies to invest in sponsorship and 56% of avid Irish sports fans went on to say that they would be more inclined to support companies or brands who in turn continue to support their favourite sports events and teams through sponsorship.
– ENDS –
For media queries contact:
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| John Trainor
Founder & CEO
ONSIDE
(T) +353-1-905 3240 / (e) john.trainor@ONSIDE.ie (m) 086-38 38 787
(w) www.ONSIDE.ie |
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| About the ‘ONSIDE Sponsorship Market Monitor’
In the consumer research cited in this release, ONSIDE used a nationally representative survey of 1,001 adults aged 18+ across the Republic of Ireland. Fieldwork was conducted from 7th – 12th May 2020. |
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ONSIDE is a leading specialist in marketing and sponsorship consulting and research services – With a proven track record and strong industry experience in a cross section of sectors, ONSIDE is currently feeding into the marketing and sponsorship decision making of circa €50m+ of Irish spend – working on many of Ireland’s premier sponsorships – on sporting, music, cause-related, broadcast and other platforms.
May 21, 2020
The Government has agreed details of the new €250m Restart Grant, which will give direct grant aid to micro and small businesses to help them with the costs associated with reopening and reemploying workers following COVID-19 closures.
The Grant will be available to businesses with a turnover of less than €5m and employing 50 people or less, which were closed or impacted by at least a 25% reduction in turnover out to 30th June 2020. It is a contribution towards the cost of re-opening or keeping a business operational and re-connecting with employees and customers.
The grants will be equivalent to the rates bill of the business in 2019, with a minimum payment of €2,000 and a maximum payment of €10,000.
To avail of the Restart Grant, a business must be in the Local Authorities Commercial Rates Payment System and:
- have an annual turnover of less than €5m and employ between 1 to 50 people;
- have closed and/or suffered a projected 25%+ loss in turnover to end June 2020;
- commit to remain open or to reopen if it was closed;
- declare the intention to retaining employees that are on The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) and to reemploy staff on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment where applicable.
The grant can be used to defray ongoing fixed costs, for replenishing stock and for measures needed to ensure employee and customer safety.
Applications for the Restart Grant can be made online to local authorities from Friday 22 May. For a list of Local Government County & City Council websites visit www.housing.gov.ie.
Processing of applications and payment of the Restart Grant will depend on the initial surge of applications but, as far as is feasible, will be prioritised according to scheduled re-opening dates in the national Roadmap.
This direct grant support is part of the wider €12bn package of supports for firms of all sizes, which includes grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities, all of which will help to improve cashflow amongst our SMEs.
OSK are available to support you throughout the current crisis – please email your Manager or Director or call 014394200.
May 20, 2020
Start preparing for the return to sport! Clubforce, official data partner of the Federation of Irish Sport, will be hosting a webinar on Wednesday May 27, which will focus on the GDPR compliant group communication platform that is available for new and existing clubs with Clubforce. The below link will provide some more information on all of our weekly webinars.
https://clubforce.com/weekly-clubforce-webinar/
In addition, Clubforce will be working closely with new and existing clubs as they start to plan and implement their memberships for the 2020/21 season. Online membership management means no handling of cash, cheques, or membership forms – which will keep volunteers safe during these times of social distancing.
May 20, 2020
Finally.
Back to sport – Phase 1.
We’ve waited patiently. NGB’s, clubs and organisations have produced roadmaps and measures. It’s about showing leadership. It’s about reducing the risk. The health risk is that somebody might contract COVID-19 in the sporting arena.
Is there a legal risk ?
The answer is yes. It can be minimised (like the health risk) with the introduction of certain measures. But, much like the virus in the absence of a vaccine, it cannot be eradicated.
Legal risks.
The legal risk is that a member, employee or patron could contract the virus and/or spread the virus on the ‘Return to Sport’ phases, and then take a claim.
The main type of legal claim that could be brought is a personal injury claim in negligence. Claims in negligence are based on an alleged breach of a ‘Duty / Standard of Care’. The breach is caused by an act or omission which could cause damage to a third party that is “reasonably foreseeable”. Other claims could be brought for breach of contract and misrepresentation.
Consequences of Non-Compliance:
- Financial impact of a claim;
- Reputational damage;
- Prospect of insurance cover being declined;
- Low morale / loss of confidence of employees and members;
- Legal risks for the officers themselves.
Meeting the Standard of Care
Ultimately, if NGB’s, clubs and members can show that they did all that was reasonably expected in the circumstances, they will more likely than not have fulfilled their duty of care. Practical measures to manage risk are fluid and may vary for each organisation. Some examples are:
- Education and Assistance
- Appoint COVID-19 Champions
- COVID-19 Response Plan,
- Tracking system / online booking
- PPE and sanitiser
- Contactless Payment
Managing Legal Risk
In addition to practical measures, the following steps could be taken to minimise legal risk:
- Declaration (everyone completes a self-assessment form, including an acknowledgment and acceptance of certain risks and a waiver etc..).
- Disclaimer (physical posters be erected on premises and on club websites)
- Indemnity/Limitation of Liability
- Amending existing documents / policies / Constitution
- Insurance assessment
- Continually review of protocols and government guidance
