Aug 20, 2014
The EU Council recently approved the second EU Work Plan for Sport (2014-2017). 
Member States agreed to set up five Expert Groups, covering the following topics:
- Match-fixing;
- Good governance; (The Federation of Irish Sport represented Ireland on the Expert Group on Good Governance during the last Workplan)
- Economic dimension;
- HEPA;
- Human resources development in sport.
Experts of the Groups will be appointed by the Member States. Additionally, each Expert Group can decide to invite observers from the sport movement.
Therefore, the European Commission would like to inform interested organisations that they can express their interest in participating in the works of the Expert Groups, as observers, by sending an email to
EAC-UNITE-D2@ec.europa.eu indicating which Expert Groups they are interested in and briefly explaining their motivations.
The final decision on each application for an observer status will be taken by the Expert Group and communicated, to the organisation, by the Commission.
EU Workplan for Sport 2014-2017
Aug 13, 2014
Wanna roll with us???
IWA-Sport is delighted to launch its ‘wanna roll with us??’ wheelchair basketball promotion.
The aim of this promotion is to encourage new players, children and adults, to try out the sport of wheelchair basketball in any of the 19 club programmes that take place all over Ireland. Once you get involved you can choose to play recreationally or get involved in our league which runs from October to May annually.
Remember, you don’t have to be a wheelchair user to play the game – able bodied players are welcome too!
For more information please contact wheelchairbasketball@iwa.ie or call 087 279 1811
Log on to the Irish Wheelchair Association – Sport website for more info! Click here
Aug 12, 2014
It is with regret that the Federation learnt of the passing of Pat Duffy on Sunday 10th August following a long illness bravely borne. On behalf of all involved in Irish sport – extended sympathy to family and friends.
Pat will be remembered as a pioneer in Irish sport.
Qualifying as a PE teacher, he worked as a lecturer in UL after postgraduate work in the U.S., and became one of the leaders in the emergence of what we now know as a systemic approach to coach education and player-athlete support in this country.
Along with all those involved in the early days of the NCTC (now Coaching Ireland), he championed the development of the long term player athlete development model, the National Coach Development Programme and related areas like tutor education and the carding scheme for high performers.
He completed his PhD on the history of Physical Education provision in the state.
His career also involved international roles including serving on European committees for the development of qualifications framework for coach education and as CEO of SportsCoach UK.
Moving to Leeds Met University enabled him to take up a role in which his natural talents were most evident – that of teacher, communicator and the facilitator of success for others – as Professor of Sports Coaching.
Irish sport has lost one of the brightest and most intelligent thinkers on coach education and player and athlete development. All of us involved in Irish sport today and generations of athletes and coaches to come will benefit from the foundations he helped to build.
Aug 1, 2014
The Federation of Irish Sport hosted it’s AGM on the 29th July at Irish Sport HQ. 41 representatives from 37 member organisations attended.
The minutes from the previous year’s AGM and EGM were put forward to the floor and approved. Deirdre McDermott from OSK presented the Federation’s financial accounts for 2013.
Board elections saw Aideen O’Connor & Hamish Adams join the Board along with Sarah Keane, Liam Harbison, Harry Hermon, Ciaran Gallagher and Warren Deutrom. A special thanks was extended to outgoing Board members; Cillian Smith, Thos McDermot and Brendan Waters who each gave so much time and effort to the Federation over the years they served.
Chief Executive, Sarah O’Connor outlined the Federations activities over the last 12 months as well as provided a summary of likely policy developments for sport over the next few months. An Activities Report prepared for the AGM will be sent to all members not present.
Sarah O’Shea then closed the meeting and invited all attending to stay for a light lunch provided by Crowne Plaza Hotel Blanchardstown.
Louise Gilligan, of the Irish Underwater Council emerged as the raffle winner and will now enjoy a complimentary dinner for two and a bottle of house wine at the Crown Plaza Blanchardstown. Well done Louise!
The Federation would like to thank all that attended its AGM this year. A special thanks to Jennifer McKenna from Crowne Plaza Blanchardstown who along with the rest of her team had a fantastic lunch for everyone which consisted of soup, sandwiches, teas & coffees and a particular favourite of the Federation – specially made cupcakes! The draft minutes of the AGM will be circulated to all members shortly.
Read the Federation Activities Report 2013-2014 here: FIS_2014 AGM_ACTIVITIES REPORT
Aug 1, 2014
The Federation is delighted to announce that they have recently appointed TIFCO Hotel Group as its preferred partner. TIFCO manage 10 hotels across Ireland from Dublin to Cork, Galway to Dundalk and also Athlone.
Jennifer McKenna is the Director of Sales and Marketing at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Blanchardstown in Dublin, only down the road from the Irish Sport HQ at the National Sports Campus.
We caught up with Jennifer recently about their discounted offers to the Federations Members.
Hi Jennifer, thanks for taking the time to see us. Tell us, what’s a typical day like for you?
There’s no such thing as a typical day when working in the hotel business – but that’s why I love it so much! Honestly, every day is different. But generally the first part of the morning is taken up with greeting clients who have meetings on that day, ensuring that all is in place and that they feel appreciated for the business they are bringing to us. Hopefully they will also return to us for their next event! A large part of my day is then spent answering queries and enquiries for new bookings, and finding new clients to welcome to the hotel. I enjoy being out and about meeting new people.
We know it’s great! But for those who haven’t been there yet – why should someone stay at the Crowne Plaza in Blanchardstown?
The team here at the Crowne Plaza are probably our greatest asset, along with the fantastic location at Blanchardstown Centre. We get superb feedback from guests who have stayed with us about our team and they way in which they look after each guest’s requirements. Guests also enjoy being so close to the action whether that’s visiting Aquazone at the National Aquatic Centre or enjoying some retail therapy just across the road.
Are there any offers that are available to our members that you can tell us about?
We’re delighted to be partnered up with the Federation of Irish Sport and we welcome each and every member to our hotels. All of our hotels will be offering discounts on bedroom rates and meeting rooms to all members so do please get in touch and let us know your requirements!
Thanks again, and finally, what’s your sporting highlight of the year so far?
Is it ok that my sporting highlight of the year actually involves my little boy Daniel?! He’s a huge soccer fan but he’s also a heart patient so meeting Damien Duff who helps with Heart Children Ireland was definitely a highlight for us. Damien was amazing on the day – and Daniel even got a call from him on his birthday too!
Jul 31, 2014
Background:
Wicklow Sports Partnership, an Irish Sports Council initiative which aims to maximize participation in sport and physical activity in the county through promotion, coordination and partnership. Wicklow Local Sports Partnership believes that sport and physical activity have important benefits from health, community development and social inclusion perspectives. Therefore we are committed to working in partnership with all partners to provide opportunities for everyone to be active and involved in the sport or physical activity of their choice and at a level of their choice whether that is recreational or competitive.
Wicklow LSP offices are based in Shoreline Leisure Centre, Greystones and we have four key themes which guide our work;
- Sports Development
- Physical Activity
- Leadership and Management
- Marketing and Communications
Wicklow Local Sports Partnership has a diverse representation of statutory, sporting and community representatives on its board. The board of Wicklow Local Sports Partnership is made up of representatives from Wicklow County Council, Kildare Wicklow Education and Training Board, Special Olympics Wicklow, County Wicklow Partnership, An Garda Siochana, Recreational Service Providers, Wicklow County Childcare Committee, Wicklow Community Forum, and County Wicklow Network for Older People. It is only through partnership that our aims and objectives will be achieved.
Some Actions and Impacts:
In 2013 Wicklow Local Sports Partnership organised and facilitated a wide range of events and programmes which included the following;
Training & Development Included:
- Pioneered the implementation of the “Sports not Stigma” mental health program the first of its kind in the country. A program that works with clubs and offers mental health awareness training to its members.
- Code of Ethics Basic Awareness, Disability Inclusion and First Aid workshops
- Workshops in Child Protection, Sports First Aid, Disability Inclusion and
- Physical Activity Leader Training.
Participation Programmes & Events Included:
- Wicklow Sports Partnership & FAI – Wicklow was selected as the site for the 2013 AGM of the FAI. This brought about a weeklong Festival of Football and events to tie in with the AGM and to celebrate football in the county. It also included club visits by famous players as well as football fun days held in four locations around the county.
- Six Nations Tag Rugby Festival – To tie in with the Six Nations a underage tag rugby tournament was held in Wicklow Rugby club in partnership with Lenister Rugby.
- Promotion of Walking and Cycling – including Bike Week activities in schools and an Operation Transformation walk in Bray
- In partnership with Wicklow Traveller Group we facilitated the development of a handball programme aimed at young members of the Travelling Community from around the county.
- In 2013 Wicklow Town was selected by the Irish Times and Pfizers for the Healthy Towns Initiative and Wicklow LSP was delighted to work with the various sports clubs and organisations in the town to organise a wide range of events during the months of September and October. Over seventy events were held in the town as part of the initiative.
Disability Sport Development & Programmes
- Wicklow Sports Partnership facilitated two Disability Inclusion Training courses with one being in Greystones and one in Arklow. People went away from the training with a better understanding of the importance of having sport that is inclusive to all
- Awareness raising and capacity building
Future Developments:
At the moment Wicklow Local Sports Partnership is working to re-establish a Sports Forum for the County to ensure that all sports clubs have a voice and are treated equally.
Wicklow LSP is also currently in the process of developing its 3-year Strategic Sports Plan 2014-2017 which aims to build on the achievements of the initial 3-year plan. Our underlying aim is increase participation in all sports across the county and that to ensure that the benefits of active living are available to all the people living in county Wicklow. While there is a particular focus on meeting the needs and supporting the inclusion of a number key target groups; girls and women, disadvantaged young people, older adults, people with a disability, Travellers and ethnic minorities.
Wicklow Local Sports Partnership is always open to suggestions and ideas on how participation can be increased or how an activity/sport can be made more inclusive so we would welcome comments and suggestions.
Wicklow Sports Partnership
01- 287 8184
info@wicklowlsp.ie
www.wicklowsportspartnership.ie
