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
Jul 31, 2014
Every month the Federation selects an NGB to profile to see how they are getting on, what events are coming up and all the information you might need to know about them. This month, the Federation has looked at Athletics Ireland
It is accepted that the organisation was formed in 1873 and adopted the trading name of Athletics Ireland in 1999. Athletics Ireland is the National Governing Body for track & field, cross country, race walking and road running in Ireland. Internationally aligned with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), Athletics Ireland is affiliated to the European Athletic Association (EAA). On top of this it is also a member of the Olympic Council of Ireland.
The primary objective is to promote and develop the sport at every level from recreational running and schools competitions through to supporting Ireland’s elite athletes in international competition. Athletics is run by a board of elected volunteer members who work in tandem with full time staff based in Dublin as well as around the country. What is vitally important is the strong volunteer ethos within the organisation. The thousands of administrators, officials and coaches who give freely of their time are imperative to Athletics Irelands success.
Membership:
There are 320 affiliated clubs in Ireland with a combined membership of just under 50,000.
Fact File:
- Athletic contests in running, walking, jumping, and throwing are among the oldest of all sports dating back as far as 2250BC
- A standard outdoor track is in the shape of a stadium, 400 metres in length and has at least 8 lanes that are 1.22 metres in width.
- The international governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) was founded in 1912 and overlooks 213 member nations and territories, which are divided into six continental areas.
- These six area associations are:
– Asian Athletics Association (AAA)
– Confederation of African Athletics (CAA)
– South American Athletics Confederation (CONSUDATLE)
– North America, Central America and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACACAA)
– European Athletic Association (EAA)
– Oceania Athletics Association (OAA)
2013 Highlights:
- Rob Heffernan won Gold in the 50 km Race Walk at the IAAF World Championship in Moscow, Russia.
- Fionnuala Britton came 4th in the Cross Country 8 km at the 20th European Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, Serbia
- There were 12 medals won at Major championships and 31 new National Irish Records set.
- Athletic Ireland hosted the European Team Championships which saw 700 athletes from 12 countries compete for honours in Morton Stadium, Santry.
- The Athletics Ireland membership increased to 49,500 up 17% on 2012 with 14 new clubs formed; making it one of Ireland’s fastest growing sports
- Appointment of its first full time coach Chris Jones, as National Endurance Coach and over 1,200 coaches undertook a coach education programme
Key Programmes:
Athletics Ireland launched a new Strategic Plan in 2013
The Mission of Athletics Ireland
Athletics Ireland has a mission to support and develop the athletes of Ireland of all ages, disciplines and abilities.
Strategic priorities for the period 2013 to 2016:
- To promote the growth of the sport of athletics, health and fitness generally among our members.
- To support the achievements of our elite athletes, in particular by implementing the High Performance Plan already published.
- To build on the existing base of Coaches and Officials.
- To promote the sport of athletics among Juveniles and Schools.
- To promote health and fitness in the population as a whole.
- To further develop the supporting infrastructure.
- To ensure good governance and financial stability.
Athletics published a ‘High Performance Plan 2013-2016’. The key points of this High Performance Plan are:
- 1st plan of its type in Irish athletics
- Ambition is to have “more Irish athletes winning on world stage”
- Target 24 medal opportunities at major championships
- Provides both a vision and a practical framework for success
- It’s an evidence and systems based approach which is sustainable in the long term
- It’s designed to provide athletes with support across every aspect of High Performance
- Will require change of approach – from AAI, athletes, coaches
- It’s an investment in the future of Irish athletics
- High Performance strategies are proven to deliver success
Key Events in 2014
European Athletics Track & Field Championships, 12th August, Zurich
Youth Olympic Games, 16th August, China
European Cross Country Championships, 13th December, Bulgaria
Contact Info
All contact information can be found at the official website:
www.athleticsireland.ie
Twitter: @irishathletics
Jul 30, 2014
In the second installment of our Athlete interviews, the Federation caught up with the Ireland Woman’s Rugby Captain Fiona Coghlan. With Ireland’s opening World Cup match in Paris just around the corner, Fiona talked prized possessions, sporting heroes and holiday destinations!
Q1. What is a typical training week like for you when you are with Ireland?
So the Saturday and Sunday we’d do 4 sessions, an hour and a half each. Monday is a recovery day so nothing too hectic. Tuesday is a double up so we’ve weights and in the evening conditioning and skills. Wednesday is individuals….. So for someone like me it might be speed, because I’m not the quickest!! Thursday again is a double up – so it’s weights in the morning and then either conditioning or speed in the evening. Then Friday is a rest day, so it’s intense enough…. (smile)
Q2. What are your three most prized possessions?
Prized possessions…… Em, my hair drier! My gumshield and probably my phone. (And what phone is that?) It’s an iphone. It’s not even a high tech one, I don’t even know how to use half the stuff on it.
Q3. What’s your favourite film?
Hmm….Like Shawshank Redemptions a classic, but I love dirty dancing!
Q4. Do you have a sporting hero?
When I was younger I always wanted to be Stefanie Graf you know, but that’s kinda changed with things going on like. Brian O’Driscoll is amazing but when I was growing up it was Stefanie Graf yeah.
Stefanie Graf has always been a sporting hero of Fiona’s
Q5. You can invite three people to dinner – who would they be and why?
Hmm this always changes (big smile) em Nelson Mandela because I just think he’s amazing. Em I’d love to meet Richie McCaw just to you know get into his mind as a leader and em the last one, I dunno probably some comedian just to keep it funny. Actually maybe one of the girls on the squad just for balance…. Yeah one of the girls on the squad for a bit of a laugh yeah.
McCaw, pictured talking to referee Jaco Peyper, is widely regarded as one of the best captains
Q6. Do you have a favourite restaurant?
Favourite restaurant em that changes as well but probably Matt the Thresher…. Fish restaurant it’s really good!
Q7. Are you into any TV series?
Just cos I’ve been off (Fiona is a teacher) I watched House of Cards, it was really good so I’m looking for the new episode and I’ll probably look for something else when we’re away at the World Cup, there will be a bit of down time. I dunno everyone is throwing different ideas so we’ll see – Suits maybe or something like that.
Q8. What’s the silliest thing you’ve ever bought?
Oh Jesus…. (very big smile and laugh) Probably a pair of fake leather trousers like a moment from Ross from Friends when he took them off and he tried to put them back on. Probably a pair of those they were horrific and I was out for a night and yeah they were the worst thing I’ve ever bought!
Q9. Where would you like to go on holidays – but you can’t have been there before?
Ohhh eh South America somewhere. Em yeah probably do all of South America if I could like the Inca Trail and Rio and everything like that yeah.
Peru’s Inca Trail………..
Q10. Do you have any phobias?
Em no I don’t like a lot of things like spiders and heights but if someone challenged me to do something I’d overcome it so I don’t have phobias as such. Like I wouldn’t be fond of heights like I wouldn’t find this desire to go jumping but if someone challenged me I’d do it!
Quick Fire Round
Twitter or Facebook
Twitter!
Movie or TV
TV
Chinese or Indian
Indian
Text or Whatsapp
Text
Coke or Pepsi
Coke
Music Festival or Comedy Gig
Music Festival
Dog or Cat
Dog
Burger or Hot Dog
Burger
The Federation want to wish Fiona and the rest of the Ireland team the best of luck in the Woman’s Rugby World Cup.
Ireland’s pool matches will be shown live on TG4.
In the pool stages, Ireland take on:
USA – Friday 1st August KO 4 p.m. (Irish time)
New Zealand – Tuesday 5th August KO 5 p.m. (Irish time)
Kazakhstan – Saturday 9th August KO 12 p.m. (Irish time)
Jul 11, 2014
It has been announced that Mr. Paschal Donohoe, T.D. has been chosen as the new Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. By doing so, he replaces Mr. Leo Varadkar who has moved to the position of Health Minister.
Prior to the announcement, Mr. Donohoe was appointed Minister of State for European Affairs at the Dept of the Taoiseach and Foreign Affairs and Trade in July 2013. He was elected to the Dail in February 2011 and was previously elected to Seanad Eireann in 2007 where he was the Fine Gael Seanad Spokesperson on Transport.
Minister. Donohoe was a member of Dublin City Council from 2004 to 2007. He was educated at St Declan’s CBS, Cabra and Trinity College, Dublin. After graduation he worked in the UK and Ireland and became the Sales & Marketing Director for a multinational company. Mr. Donohoe is married with two young children and lives in Shandon Park, Phibsborough.
The Federation of Irish Sport is looking forward to working with Minster Donohoe moving forward.
The Federation would like to take this opportunity to thank Minister Varadkar for all his work for sport during his tenure at the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport. We are grateful to him for his support for the Federation and wish him all the very best at the Department of Health. We look forward to maintaining our working relationship with him there through the Healthy Ireland initiative in which, the Federation are proud to play a part.
Jul 10, 2014
Work will start on a national High Performance Centre at the Irish Institute of Sport after Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar signed off on the project today.
The Centre will provide training, rehabilitation, and strength and conditioning facilities for athletes in a new extension at the existing Irish Institute of Sport building at the National Sports Campus in Dublin.
Athletes from a wide range of sports will be catered for including boxing and athletics. Dedicated facilities will include a six-lane running track, jumps area, performance analysis area, strength and conditioning facilities, rehabilitation and physiotherapy areas and a boxing area.
“I’m delighted that work can now start on the High Performance Centre. It represents the first stage of the new National Indoor Arena and will be completed in time to support our elite athletes in their preparations for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio,” Minster Varadkar said.
“The Institute of Irish Sport already offers unparalleled support for our elite athletes and these new facilities will expand the range of services available.”
Minister Varadkar also approved the start of work on a Campus Pavilion building, to accommodate changing facilities for the National Indoor Arena. Work on the High Performance Centre and Pavilion Building is expected to start in September for a nine month period, once the necessary procurement process has been conducted by the National Sports Campus Development Authority.
Jul 4, 2014
Federation of Irish Sport Annual Conference 2014 – Feedback
The Federation of Irish Sport held its second annual conference back in May at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin. The theme of the conference was Shaping Sports Future with Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Mr Leo Varadkar the keynote speaker.
The conference was generally felt to be a success with over 160 people attending – building on the previous year’s inaugural event- however we believe there is still further room for improvement and appreciated the feedback we received from delegates.
Asked on their opinion of the conference – 97% answered that it was either exactly how they had anticipated it or it was better than they had anticipated – 50% said better, 47% said exactly as anticipated.
Asked if they were likely to attend next year’s conference, based on this year’s event 76% of those who took the survey said they were ‘very likely’. A further 13% said they would be ‘somewhat likely’ while 11% answered ‘unsure’.
Finally, we asked if attendees had any recommendations that they felt could improve the day in terms of moving forward. Below is a summary of the major points raised:
- More time should be allocated for a Q&A between the floor and the panellists. The majority of respondents thought the level of those speaking were of a very high calibre, but requested more time to ask some questions. A workshop was also suggested.
- Many thought the interviews between the Conference and the meal were hard to hear due to the proximity from the stage to the bar and delegates desire to network during this period. The Federation were disappointed this part of the conference could not be heard by some as the topics discussed were particularly interesting.
- ‘Pin on’ name badges were suggested instead of the lanyards. It was argued they would be at eye level and thus better utilised.
- Email addresses as well as contact information for all attending delegates be made available to take home.
