Mar 12, 2015
Minister of State for Sport, Michael Ring, has announced the opening of the 2015 round of the Sports Capital Programme.
Minister Ring said: ‘When these grants are allocated later this year, this Government will have committed almost €130 million for the development of vital sports infrastructure across the country. This is testament to the Government’s belief in the value and power of sport to strengthen communities and gives people greater opportunities to engage in sport.
“The provision of an additional €40 million under this new round is key to facilitating participation in sport among local communities. With 90% of grantees telling us that the facilities we have funded helped them increase the numbers involved in sport, the value of the Programme can be in no doubt.
The Programme, will facilitate successful applicants in carrying out essential works on pitches and facilities such as clubhouses and dressing rooms. It will also provide for the purchase of new equipment.
The Minister said: “The record number of applications received under the last two rounds of the Programme is testament to its value and the continuing need for improved facilities in every corner of the country. I would encourage all those who are interested to ensure that they are registered on the online system before 5pm on Friday, 10th April 2015 (if not already registered) and to get their applications in online at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie before 5pm on Friday, 24th April 2015.”
Mar 3, 2015
IPB, who underwrite the Federation’s group insurance scheme delivered in partnership with JLT, have launched their 2015 community fund. The fund provides financial assistance to grassroots organisations who bring real and lasting change to local communities. Last year the IPB Fund supported over 50 different sporting projects nationwide including 2 NGB club initiatives.
IPB is the first Irish company to formally adopt a system of allocating a social dividend. Since 2012 IPB has allocated €8 million to 360 community organisations. Interested organisations can apply for either €5,000, €10,000 or €20,000 and must have 10% of the funding in place themselves to support the project.
The 2015 Fund will support projects that look to address at least one of the following areas:
- healthier and more active communities;
- new ways of working with young; and
- older people and/or improving frontline services and facilities in the community
Please note that applications for the fund close at 5pm on 20th March. Further details on the IPB Community Engagement Fund 2015 can be found at: http://cse.ipb.ie/
The Federation of Irish Sport Group Insurance Scheme was established in 2012. Underwritten by IPB the scheme is delivered in partnership with JLT. More details on the scheme which has delivered enhanced consistency of cover and cost as well as improvements in service can be found at http://jltsport.ie/
Mar 3, 2015
Fáilte Ireland’s Business Tourism and Events Unit is delighted to introduce Event Ireland, the newest addition to our suite of supports. The team is tasked with growing international bed nights through the events sector. This will be achieved by identifying, bidding for and winning events for Ireland in partnership with our stakeholders. We offer a range of practical and financial supports aimed at individuals and organisations bidding for events.
We have a range of bidding supports aimed at individuals and organisations bidding for eligible events (which can deliver over 100 international participants) which include:
Financial contribution towards:
- Event feasibility activity
- Bid document design & production
- Travel to present the bid
- Bid related networking event
- Site inspection costs
- *The Event budget if confirmed for Ireland on foot of bidding process (minimum of 6,000 bed nights required – case by case basis)
Practical supports
- Marketing collateral
- Introduction to approved businesses specialising in event management
- Convention Bureaux supports e.g. venue finding, accommodation, free and impartial service
- Advisory support throughout the process.
Jennifer Churchward, Event Ireland, Manager will present an at the CEO Forum Event on
Tuesday March 24th from 12:30pm-2pm at Irish Sport HQ.
In order to showcase Ireland as a first class event destination, Fáilte Ireland in partnership with Sport Tourism Ireland is hosting a familiarisation trip for International Sporting Federations, May 14-17.
The program offered to potential parties, will include a two day visit to Limerick, followed by a two day trip to Dublin with privileged access to some of Ireland’s most iconic sport and tourism attractions.
If you have an affiliation to an International Sporting Federation or Sport Tourism contact with the potential to bring an event to Ireland, Fáilte Ireland is offering you the opportunity to invite them on this trip to experience first-hand our excellent infrastructure, knowledge base and tourism offering.
FI International Federation Invitation 2015
Each itinerary will be tailor made to your individual interests.
To register your interest in nominating an International Federation or contact please contact-
Edel Mitchell
Tel: +353 1 8847 897
Email: edel.mitchell@failteireland.ie
or
Jennifer Churchward
Tel: 353 1 8847256
Email: jennifer.churchward@failteireland.ie
If you would like to attend the event, please contact Conn McCluskey, conn.mccluskey@irishsport.ie 01-6251155
Feb 24, 2015
The Federation of Irish Sport is this year supporting Active School Week (ASW) which is taking place from the 27th April to the 1st May and we would ask every NGB and LSP to consider supporting the ASW initiative. ASW are open to any and all ideas and would like NGBs to consider the following:
- Allowing schools to use their facilities for free during ASW
- Sending local coaches into schools to provide ‘taster sessions’ of physical activities that are available in the local community
- Organising initiatives such as ‘Bring a Friend’ days to coincide with ASW
If you wish to support ASW please contact Karen Cotter, National Coordinator Active School Flag Karen@activeschoolflag.ie / (086) 8683991 as she would like compile resources.
NGB Programmes currently listed on the Active School Flag website can be found here: http://www.activeschoolflag.ie/national-governing-bodies.html
About Active Schools Week
The Department of Education and Skills (DES) is encouraging ALL schools (primary, post primary), regardless of whether or not they are working towards achieving the Active School Flag (ASF), to include Active School Week as part of their annual school calendar. The ASW initiative is about providing FUN and INCLUSIVE physical activity opportunities for ALL members of the school community. It allows schools to reinforce the message that not only is physical activity good for you but it is also very enjoyable. It provides schools with an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about the physical activity opportunities that are available in their locality and to work collaboratively with pupils, parents and members of the community.
Further details can be found here.
Feb 24, 2015
Q1. What is your daily routine when you are training?
It all depends on the day. Some days have early mornings with 2 sessions others one in the
evening. As well as pitch sessions there are gym and running sessions too so daily routnes
are tailored to suit the training type
Q2. What are your three most prized possessions?
Hmm that’s a tricky question but I’ll say
– my phone
– my passport
– my first cap for Ireland
Q3. What’s your favourite film?
I have plenty but I would say Inception! Still plays with my mind .
Q4. Do you have a sporting hero?
I wouldn’t say a sporting hero exactly but one sportsperson I really admire is Roger Federer.
Q5. Favourite actor or actress?
Morgan Freeman.
Q6. Where would you like to go on holidays – but you can’t have been there before?
Would love to go to Central America or Thailand is definitely one on my list.
Q7. If you could have a superpower what would it be and why?
Reading women’s minds – enough said 🙂 .
Q8. Favourite restaurant?
Man Friday in Kinsale county Cork.
Q9. What three things would you bring to a desert island?
Sounds silly but if I knew I was headed for a desert island then probably:
– Food
– an inflatable raft
– camera to record the experience
Q10. What’s your favourite TV series?
Game of Thrones.
Q11. You just won the lotto – what’s the first thing you are buying?
It’s a bit boring but probably a big house!
Q12. What did you want to be when you were a kid?
I think I wanted to be Batman but after several failed jumps from my garage roof I had a
change of heart….
Q13. Do you have any hidden talents?
I have a few skills in other sports other than hockey like athletics, GAA and racquet sports.
Q14. What’s the silliest thing you’ve ever bought?
A very expensive pen that you can write upside down with…. A pencil would have done!!!
Quick Fire Questions:
Twitter or Facebook – Twitter
Movie or TV – Movie
Chinese or Indian – Chinese
Early Night In or Late Night Out – Late night out
Text or WhatsApp – WhatsApp
Crisps or Chocolate – Chocolate
Swimming pool or Sea – Sea
Playstation or Xbox – Playstation
Suit and Tie or T-shirt and Tracksuit – t shirt and tracksuit
Music Festival or Comedy Gig – comedy gig
Feb 13, 2015
Minister of State for Sport, Michael Ring T.D., announced on Wednesday an investment package of €19.6m from the Irish Sports Council into the National Governing Bodies of Sport in Ireland. This is almost €1million more than the equivalent figure for 2014. This injection will allow the Sports Council to invest in crucial projects for Rio 2016 as well as exciting participation initiatives and support the participation of Team Ireland at the Special Olympic Summer Games in LA in July.
The investment includes an allocation of €10.85 million to 59 National Governing Bodies (NGBs) to support their core work of administration and participation programmes. This includes increases to support specific initiatives in the IABA, the Confederation of Irish Golf and Hockey Ireland. The Council will allocate €600,000 to support the Women in Sport programme of 23 NGBs with additional support for the highly successful programmes of Swim Ireland and Badminton Ireland.
€8.16m will be invested in 22 Performance Plans which will support Ireland participation at the 2016 Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games. The high performance NGBs also benefit from the direct service provision at the Institute of Sport, the development of high performance facilities at the National Sports Campus, the 2015 International Carding Scheme and the special sports equipment grants; a comprehensive and integrated package of support for Ireland’s top performers.
Speaking at the announcement, Minister Ring commented: “I am delighted to be here today to announce a very significant package of sports investment by the Irish Sports Council. Today’s investment is a substantial commitment from the Irish Government to the National Governing Bodies of Sport in Ireland. The importance of sport cannot be understated. Sport has the unique ability to activate local communities through participation and volunteerism whilst uniting a nation to support our athletes on the world stage”.
The investment is designed to support NGBs develop sustainable and effective structures that facilitate increased numbers of both participants and volunteers. The success of the sustained investment has seen considerable growth in membership across the NGB sector which includes 53,000 in Athletics Ireland, 23,000 in Cycling Ireland and 57,000 in Badminton Ireland.
Speaking at the announcement, Kieran Mulvey, Chairman of the Irish Sports Council said:
“The Council place National Governing Bodies at the centre of our work and are the strategic heart of Irish sport. This is a major input of resources into their operations and ongoing development and we have confidence that there will be a significant return on that investment. I want to acknowledge and recognise the on-going support given to us by Minister Ring and his Department which allows us to continue our mission of increasing participation and enhancing high performance.”
2015 is the 10th Anniversary of the Irish Sports Council’s Women in Sport programme. The programme, which aims to raise the overall physical activity levels among women, has been a key driver in closing the gender gap as women’s participation has grown from 39% (2011) to 42.7% (2013). Today’s investment will continue to support Women in Sport programmes including ‘The Swim for a Mile’ initiative from Swim Ireland which aims to deliver 10,000 participants and Rowing Ireland’s, ‘Get Going, Get Rowing’ programme which aims to get an additional 5,000 women participating in 2015.
Ireland will be proudly represented at many sporting events on the international stage. 2015 will be the crucial qualifying year for many sports for Rio 2016 and there will be vital championships events in athletics, swimming, boxing, hockey, cricket and cycling amongst others. The first European Games will take place in Baku in June and it will be could prove to be a pivotal event for the Olympic sports in Ireland. The Council is delighted to support Team Ireland at the Special Olympics World Game in Los Angeles.
John Treacy, CEO Irish Sports Council said:
“As the 2016 Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games come into view, it is imperative we maintain investment so that we continue to build on the excellent performances of recent years in high performance sport. The resources made available in late 2014 by Minister Ring are invaluable for the sports and have been invested in vital equipment, camps and the all-important competition schedules”.
Today’s investment in High Performance will continue to build on the sustained success of high performance sport in Ireland. The Institute of Sport delivers sports services directly to the Olympic and Paralympic sports and, with athletes accessing services on site, is advanced in the creation of a new support system for high performance sport. The capacity at the Institute will be enhanced with the completion of the bespoke facility which is currently being constructed by the NSCDA on site and which in due for autumn 2015.
