Jun 11, 2026
Pictured above Fine Gael representatives with Olympians Daniel Wiffen, Gráinne Walsh, Paralympian Colin Judge and members of the FIS Team.
Sport is at the heart of Ireland’s culture, communities, and national identity. As discussions begin ahead of Budget 2027, the Federation of Irish Sport continues to advocate for investment in a sector that delivers social, economic and health benefits across every corner of the country.
Last night, hosted by Senator Ní Chuilinn, we were proud to welcome Olympians Daniel Wiffen and Gráinne Walsh, alongside Paralympian Colin Judge, to Leinster House. Their achievements on the world stage showcase the power of Irish sport to unite, inspire and create national pride.
The event highlighted the importance of supporting our high-performance athletes while also recognising the volunteers, coaches, administrators and grassroots participants who are the foundation of sport in Ireland.
Thank you to all the Ministers, Deputies and Senators who joined us and reaffirmed their support for Irish sport. Together, we can ensure sport continues to enrich lives, strengthen communities and inspire future generations.
Olympic Champion Daniel Wiffen also received a warm welcome during a visit to the viewing gallery from the Ceann Comhairle.
Moments like these are a reminder of the unique power of sport to bring people together. The achievements of our athletes on the international stage inspire pride across the country, lift our spirits, and create a shared sense of joy that resonates far beyond the field of play.
Ireland celebrates its sporting heroes because their success belongs to all of us.
Jun 9, 2026
Job Purpose
The Federation of Irish Sport (FIS) is recruiting for an Athlete Support Executive, to support our growing athlete support service, working across Ireland’s High Performance System throughout the current Olympic/Paralympic cycle.
The post of Athlete Support Executive is to provide support to athletes in enhancing the effectiveness of the ‘athlete voice’ across Ireland’s High Performance system. The Athlete Support Executive will support athletes on the Sport Ireland International Carding Scheme (carded athletes) and other Sport Ireland equivalent schemes who are operating within Sport Ireland funded Olympic and Paralympic High-Performance programmes.
The Athlete Support Executive will support the interests of athletes by providing them with independent, confidential, and expert advice in the areas of integrity, athlete representation and dispute resolution, working within the relevant processes of the sport National Governing Body (NGB) and wider High-Performance system.
Reporting To: The Athlete Support Manager
Key Role Responsibilities
Athlete Representation
• Work collaboratively with athletes and NGBs to maximise the effectiveness of the ‘athlete voice’, through the establishment and development of formalised Athlete Representative Structures.
• Design and deliver a range of training opportunities for athlete representatives to support them in their roles.
• Where requested, the Athlete Support Executive will independently facilitate athlete representative election and review processes on behalf of athletes and NGBs.
• The aim of this output is to ensure athletes have a formal mechanism to provide feedback to their NGB’s High-Performance programmes and have a central voice in key decision making processes directly impacting their experience as athletes in the High-Performance system in Ireland.
Independent and Confidential Advice
• Provide independent and confidential advice to all carded athletes in dispute with their NGBs.
• This would include initial assessment of the merits of the dispute, with the option of acting as a critical friend to both athlete and NGB, where options for informal resolution exist.
• Where requested, advocate for athletes within their NGBs.
• The aim of this output is to provide an independent space for athletes to discuss concerns, navigate challenges, and support athletes with the efficient and effective resolution of disputes at the lowest level possible.
Athlete Welfare and Safeguarding
• In a positive and constructive manner, advocating welfare and safeguarding concerns on behalf of athletes to their NGB, and/or statutory agencies.
• Signpost athletes to relevant support services available to them within Ireland’s HighPerformance system.
• Support transition outcomes by providing a link to the work of the Sport Ireland Institute’s Performance Life Skills Service Providers.
• The aim of this output is to support the delivery of athlete welfare and uphold the values of Ireland’s High-Performance system.
High-Performance System Development
• Engage with Athlete Representative Structures across Sport Ireland funded Olympic and Paralympic High-Performance programmes to capture feedback and the experiences of Irish athletes.
• Engage constructively with key stakeholders to continuously develop the HighPerformance system to enhance the athlete experience on Sport Ireland funded Olympic and Paralympic High-Performance programmes.
• The aim of this output is to support the continuous improvement of Ireland’s HighPerformance system.
Miscellaneous:
• Attend meetings, workshops and seminars deemed relevant to the role.
• Support the planning and delivery of events relevant to the role.
• Always maintain the highest standard of professional conduct.
• Comply with all relevant health and safety regulations and procedures as required by legislation and individual training environments.
Person Specification:
Essential: Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• The post-holder to have at least a primary degree.
• The ability to operate with discretion and handle confidential and sensitive information.
• Experience of building strong and effective relationships with a range of stakeholders.
• Understanding of high-performance sporting systems.
• Knowledge and experience of dispute resolution processes (grievance, disciplinary, and mediation).
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a proven ability to facilitate workshops that engage and inform.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and adults at risk.
• Full clean driving licence.
Desirable: Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Experience of high-performance sport, either as a participant or administrator/coach.
• Mental health awareness training.
• Qualification or knowledge of sports law.
• Interest in and enthusiasm for sport.
• Qualified mediator.
Behavioural Competences and Qualities
• Enthusiastic, dynamic, self-reliant individual.
• Strong and effective communicator in a range of different contexts.
• Trustworthy, morally courageous, and working with integrity to gain the trust and respect of athletes and High-Performance programme coaches and staff.
• Ability to assess and prioritise competing demands/requirements.
• Self-aware, willingness to accept and encourage constructive criticism.
This job description is not exhaustive and is intended to provide an indication of the areas of activity for the role. It may be amended in the future if the requirements of the High-Performance system change, through the appropriate consultation and by mutual agreement of all parties.
Key Relationships
• Athletes and staff across Sport Ireland funded High-Performance programmes in Ireland, and in particular athletes on the Sport Ireland International Carding Scheme.
• The Athlete Support Manager and Chief Executive Officer of FIS.
• Members of the Olympic Federation of Ireland and Paralympics Ireland Athletes’ Commissions.
• Sport Ireland and the Sport Ireland Institute staff and practitioners.
• Olympic Federation of Ireland and Paralympics Ireland staff.
Additional Information:
Job Title: Athlete Support Executive.
Type of Contract: Fixed term to December 2028
Hours of Work: 25 hours, which may involve work in the evenings and at
weekends/public holidays.
Salary: €25,641 – €32,051
Annual Leave: 25 days annual leave per annum (pro rata for part-time hours), plus public holidays.
Location: Hybrid working model. Will be required to travel within Ireland, and occasionally to overseas competitions and camps.
Expenses: Travel and subsistence expenses will be paid in accordance with the FIS Employee Handbook.
If you would like to apply for this position, please send your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role in confidence to recruitment@irishsport.ie.
Closing date for applications is COB July 1st 2026.
The Federation of Irish Sport is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace which values and benefits from the diversity of the workforce. The Federation of Irish Sport is an equal opportunity employer of all qualified individuals. We actively welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and do not discriminate on any protected groups. If you require reasonable accommodations to interview, let us know and we will do our best to assist.
Jun 8, 2026
photo credit: irishrugby.ie
The Federation of Irish Sport would like to extend it’s deepest sympathies on the passing of Philip Browne, former Chief Executive of the IRFU.
Philip’s commitment to Irish Sport, the growth and development of Irish Rugby was immense and will have a long lasting impact on the Irish sporting landscape. His tenure of the IRFU spanned almost 30 years and he was instrumental in the redevelopment of the Aviva Stadium.
Our condolences to his family, friends and many colleagues in Sport.
May He Rest in Peace.
Jun 4, 2026
For many Irish sport’s governing bodies, membership fees, sponsorship income, competition entry fees, and education programmes form the backbone of annual revenue. However, from accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2026, the revised Section 23 of FRS 102 will introduce a fundamentally different approach to how much of that income can be recognised and, crucially, when it can be recognised.
OSK is the official Audit and Accounting partner of the Federation of Irish Sport (FIS) and the preferred supplier of these services to the Federation’s members. Deirdre McDermott Audit Partner – OSK has brought the below key points to our attention and also shared a detailed article via the link below on this matter. I am sharing it with you for your information and if you need advice on the above changes or in relation OSK’s audit and accountancy services please contact us today for a direct introduction.
For Irish National Governing Bodies (NGBs), sporting charities, and representative associations with a 31 December year-end, the first financial statements impacted will be those for the year ending 31 December 2026. Organisations should begin reviewing contracts, membership arrangements, and sponsorship agreements now to understand where changes may be required and to avoid unexpected adjustments during the audit process.
Key Changes
- Revised Section 23 of FRS 102 applies to accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2026.
- The new rules focus on when services are delivered rather than when cash is received.
- Membership subscriptions, affiliation fees and sponsorship agreements are likely to require the greatest attention.
- Many organisations may see increased deferred income balances at year-end.
- Early contract reviews during 2026 can reduce audit issues and unexpected accounting adjustments.
Why Does This Matter?
Many sports organisations receive income from a variety of sources, including:
- Membership subscriptions
- Club affiliation fees
- Competition entry fees
- Sponsorship agreements
- Commercial partnerships
- Coach education programmes
- Event income
- Broadcasting rights
- Licensing arrangements
See below link for article and attached graphic for article.
New Revenue Recognition Rules Under FRS 102: What Irish Sports Governing Bodies Need to Know for 31 December 2026
https://www.osk.ie/blog/posts/new-revenue-recognition-rules-under-frs-102-what-irish-sports-governing-bodies-need-to-know-for-31-december-2026/
May 25, 2026
Register Today!
Following on from our 2026 Annual Leaders Forum panel discussion earlier this year on “Foundations as a Path to Structural Resilience”, together with our Partners 2into3 and FIS members Irish Sailing Association we will be exploring the topic of Foundations further and the potential that lies overseas in “Unlocking US Philanthropy for Irish Sport”.
❓Could the United States be a viable philanthropic market for Irish sporting organisations?
📆 Join 2into3 and FIS on Tuesday, 9 June at 12:00 PM for a webinar aimed at members considering how to broaden their philanthropic horizons. We will also have, Bridget Murphy, CFRE, Principal at Graham-Pelton, one of the most established fundraising consultancies in the US, as a guest speaker.
🪙 With over three decades of fundraising leadership and an appointed seat on the New Jersey Ireland Trade Commission, Bridget brings both deep US sector expertise and an understanding of the Irish context.
The session will cover:
→ How American philanthropy works and why it differs from Ireland.
→ The realities, costs, and structures behind US philanthropic engagement.
→ What Irish sporting bodies should consider before pursuing the US market.
→ The common pitfalls — and where genuine opportunity lies.
→ Case study: We’ll also be joined by James O’Callaghan from the Irish Sailing Association, sharing their own journey and experiences to learn from, followed by audience Q&A.
🔗You are invited to register now or please share the invitation with the relevant member of your team: https://lnkd.in/egZtQGqe
May 25, 2026
At the Federations 2026 AGM, Clare McGrath concluded her term as Chairperson of the Federation of Irish Sport Board following six years of outstanding service. Clare’s leadership, commitment, and contribution to Irish sport have been greatly valued, and we are deeply appreciative of the impact she has made during her tenure. Clare is a lifelong leader in Irish water saftey and former President of Swim Ireland, where she served as Board Chairman from 2014 to 2019 to embed exemplary governance. An International ‘A’ Referee, she regularly leads World and European Championships, including directing the 2018 European Juniors in Ireland. Clare sits on the board of Water Safety Ireland as Chair of Lifesaving Sport and protects local coastlines as Clare County Council’s Water Safety Development Officer. On behalf of the Board of the Federation we wish her continued success in her contribution to Irish Sport.
We are delighted to welcome Enda Lynch CEO of Badminton Ireland to the role following his election as the new Chairperson at the AGM. We look forward to working with Enda as the Federation continues to support and strengthen Irish sport across the country. Prior to taking up the helm at Badminton Ireland over three years ago Enda was Head of Commercial & Marketing with Munster Rugby and a seasoned sponsorship manager, working across a number of sponsorships for brands both domestically and internationally for over 12 years. Under his tenure Badminton Ireland were awarded the National Governing Body of the Year award at the 2025 Irish Sport Industry Awards and in 2026 took home the award for Best Use of Communications Platform in Sport.
In addition to the appointment of a new Chair, the Federation Board of Directors also saw three new members appointed following the completion of terms by Peter O’Brien formerly of Special Olympics Ireland and David Courell CEO FAI. We would like to thank them for the time, expertise and contribution to the Federation of Irish Sport. We are delighted to welcome on board the following new appointees:
Christina Kenny
COO Football Association of Ireland
Christina Kenny is Chief Operating Officer of the Football Association of Ireland, having joined the organisation in March 2025 following almost five years serving as an Independent Expert on the FAI Nominations Committee.
Louise O’Loughlin
COO Basketball Ireland
Louise joined Basketball Ireland in 2010 and was appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2015. She has overseen the delivery of a number of international events, and leads operations for Basketball Ireland’s premier domestic competitions.
Adam Cox
Director of Aquatic Sports
Adam brings over 14 years of experience in Irish sport, having played a key leadership role in the development and growth of aquatic disciplines nationwide. In his current position with Swim Ireland he has been instrumental in advancing competitions, club governance, pathways, and strategic collaboration across the sector.
