Press Release: Federation of Irish Sport Welcomes Government’s Long-Term Commitment to Sport in Project 2040 Development Plan

Feb 16, 2018

Federation of Irish Sport Welcomes Government’s Long-Term Commitment to Sport in Project 2040 Development Plan

Press Release

16th February 2018

The Federation of Irish Sport welcomes the Government’s long-term commitment to the development of sport in Ireland as outlined in its Project 2040 Development Plan published today.   In particular, the Federation welcomes the commitment to: –

• a Sports Capital Fund of €100 million over the next 4 years
• the completion of the National Sports Campus by 2021 with more new facilities for sports such as cricket and tennis.
• a new Large Scale Infrastructure Fund of €100 million for larger sports projects.

The Federation welcomes the commitment to funding of facilities that undoubtedly will positively transform the sporting landscape.  We remain conscious however of the importance of the availability of qualified people and targeted programmes to allow the potential of any sports facility to be maximised.  In this regard, we will continue to work on behalf of our members to ensure that the current funding that plays a crucial role in supporting these people and programmes increases in the coming years.

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For further information, please contact:-

Mary O’Connor, Chief Executive, Federation of Irish Sport Tel: 086 0437884

Athletics Ireland appoints a new Chief Executive

Feb 6, 2018

From Athletics Ireland

The President and Board of Athletics Ireland have today announced the appointment of Hamish Adams as their new C.E.O. The decision was ratified last night at an Athletics Ireland board meeting and Hamish will succeed John Foley who is retiring at the end of April, 2018. Hamish will join Athletics Ireland in May having spent five years as C.E.O of Rowing Ireland.

Commenting on his new role, Hamish Adams said “I feel very privileged to take up the role of Chief Executive of Athletics Ireland. I look forward to engaging with all the Athletics Ireland stakeholders.  Ireland has a proud history and tradition in athletics and I look forward to contributing to its continued growth at the commencement of my role as C.E.O in early May. High Performance and coaching as well as the national health agenda to increase physical activity levels are areas I am especially passionate about and I plan to contribute significantly in these areas with the Athletics Ireland Team”.

Commenting on the new appointment, President of Athletics Ireland, Georgina Drumm said “The board is delighted to welcome Hamish as the new C.E.O of Athletics Ireland. We were overwhelmed with the interest in the role which gave a positive reflection on how our sport is viewed. We are pleased to have someone of Hamish’s calibre and experience to be joining our team”.

She added “I would like to thank John for the significant contribution he has made to every aspect of our sport over an eight year period as C.E.O and he will continue to do so until his retirement in April 2018.”

ENDS

Claire Shannon – Claireshannon@athleticsireland.ie

Press Release: NGB Funding Key to an Active and Healthier Ireland

Feb 2, 2018

NGB Funding Key to an Active and Healthier Ireland

02 February 2018,

Sport Ireland announced on Thursday, 1^st February, details of grant funding of €20.7 million to National Governing Bodies to support both day to day operations (€10.8 million) and high performance programmes (€7 million) of 56 different sports. A further €600,000 was announced to support women in sport programmes.

Investment is on a similar to 2017 with Sport Ireland funding still some way off the peak of €57 million achieved in 2007. These monies exclude the funding made available to the three field sports namely, the FAI, IRFU & GAA which amounted to over €7 million in 2017. 2018 investment is expected to be announced in the coming weeks. It was confirmed that €1.9 million in direct athlete investment is to be confirmed in coming weeks.

Commenting on the announcement of this year’s Sport Ireland NGB grant funding, Federation of Irish Sport CEO, Mary O’Connor said,

“Funding levels to NGBs are broadly in line with 2017. This is to be expected given as announced in the Budget Sport Ireland funding remained more or less flat on last year’s level. NGBs have a vital role to play in ensuring a more people have access to sporting opportunity. This is because each of our member organisations plays a key role in ensuring their sport happens in Ireland.

NGBs are responsible for development programmes, programmes targeted at encouraging hard to reach elements of society, coach education, training officials, child protection, high performance as well as administration of competition is vital to ensure an increase both in opportunities to participate in sport and allowing those who do partake to fulfil their potential whatever that may be.

We were heartened that in his leadership election manifesto the current Taoiseach and a former Minister for Sport outlined his intention to double the funding available to sport over the next seven years. We do hope that we will begin to see delivery on that commitment in this year’s budget as all of our members are committed to assisting in the delivery of the vision of a more active and healthier Ireland a reality. However, resources both financial and human are vital in ensuring this can and will happen.”

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