May 1, 2024
The Federation of Irish Sport is delighted to announce that Michael McGrath TD, Minister for Finance will deliver the keynote address at the upcoming Irish Sport Industry Awards at the College Green Hotel on Tuesday 28th May. This announcement reaffirms the positive working relationship between the Federation across Government departments.
Federation of Irish Sport CEO Mary O’Connor commented “We are particularly delighted to welcome Minister McGrath to be our keynote speaker at the upcoming awards. The Sport Industry Awards spotlight the people and partners that drive the business of Irish sports forward. The sector makes a significant economic contribution to GDP, so it’s imperative we recognise the growing diversity and innovation of the sector and the contribution it makes to Ireland’s economy. From Best Sports Business of the year and the Best New Sports Business, to celebrating commercial partnerships and use of communications, and recognising our own members successes, the Irish Sport Industry Awards reflect the varied make up of Ireland’s sports industry and the power of sport and business working together”.
The value of sport to the Irish economy is estimated to be around €3.3 billion annually, with the sector supporting over 64,000 jobs. The Federation continues to work closely with the Department of Finance promoting the value of sport to the economy and Ireland inc. and welcomes the Minister’s support of the work the Federation does on behalf of its members.
Entries Closing Friday 3rd May 2024.
Apr 29, 2024
The Federation of Irish Sport is thrilled to announce a partnership with Technology Ireland DIGITAL Skillnet, who will sponsor the award for ‘Best Sports Business of the Year’, at the 2024 Irish Sport Industry Awards. This award recognises sustained excellence by an established sport business on the island of Ireland that has delivered innovation, growth and leadership in the industry by creating a product or service which is truly original, pushing boundaries and addressing a gap in the market. Previous winners of the award have included: Irish American Events Ltd who host the hugely successful Aer Lingus College Football Classic and STATSports one of the world’s leading suppliers of player tracking and analysis equipment.
Technology Ireland DIGITAL Skillnet is the National Training Network for the Technology sector in Ireland. Their goal is to deliver on their mission of building the capabilities needed to realise digital ambitions.
They are committed to developing SportsTech talent and providing an opportunity for career elevation through cutting edge SportsTech courses.
Technology Ireland DIGITAL Skillnet is proud to announce the launch of their range of SportsTech courses, tailored to meet the soaring demands of the global sports technology sector. Their Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Analytics, Technology, and Innovation, delivered in collaboration with Technological University Dublin, is designed to equip professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in this dynamic field. Whether you’re a developer, analyst, former athlete, sports manager, administrator, or tech entrepreneur, our comprehensive program caters to individuals from diverse backgrounds.
The Sports tech industry is valued at €650 billion annually and projected to grow by 20% each year until 2030. The Federation of Irish Sport welcomes this partnership and is excited to provide this opportunity for members to invest in their future.
If your organisation would like to explore how to access our programmes, and access funding for your training needs, please reach out to DIGITAL Skillnet by emailing: sportstech@digitalskillnet.ie
Apr 26, 2024
Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and Thomas Byrne T.D., Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, have announced funding of up to €120m under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF), which opens for applications today (26 April 2024).
- Ministers Martin and Byrne open new round of Large-Scale Sports Infrastructure Funding
- Applications open today until 1st July 2024 @ 3pm
- New requirement to ensure similar access for women and men to LSSIF-funded sports facilities
Assessment of applications, for funding of between €600,000 and €30m, will take into account population size, sustainability, reducing administrative overheads and ensuring that similar access is provided to accommodate access by men and women to LSSIF-funded facilities.
Minister Catherine Martin said: “It is vitally important that we continue to invest in sporting facilities so that people of all ages and abilities can benefit from their use. We need to maintain capital investment in Sport. I am pleased that following the confirmation of the revised capital allocations under the national Development Plan the Government is in a position to provide more funding assistance for the development of large scale sports projects. I encourage all eligible projects applicants with suitable projects to consider applying for this competitive process. New projects could be designed to increase participation in sport, to provide large venues or stadia or to boost high performance and new swimming pool projects will also be considered.”
Minister Thomas Byrne said: “Continued investment in sports facilities across the country is essential so we can achieve our ambitious targets for sports participation and that is why I am delighted to welcome the opening of a new round of applications under the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund. The implementation of the new Similar Access Requirement will also ensure that women and men enjoy similar access to all sports facilities which are publicly funded. I have been delighted to visit and engage with projects funded under the first round of LSSIF, including Connacht Rugby, the Linear Walkway Project in Meath, Phase 1 of Walsh Park in Waterford, and the Regional Athletics Hub in Limerick. Deliverability is a key focus of the LSSIF and I know that many more existing projects will be completed and open to the public following the additional funding confirmed last December.Today’s announcement of a new round of funding means we can build on the progress made to date under LSSIF and ensure projects across the country get an opportunity to deliver the facilities that their communities need and will participate in for decades to come.”
The first allocations under the LSSIF were announced in January 2020 with €86.4 million awarded to 33 different projects. Additional funding of €37.6 million was allocated to 27 of these projects in December 2023, bringing the total awarded to date to Large Scale Sport Infrastructure funded projects to €124 million.
This new round of funding follows the publication earlier this month of the ‘Review of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF)’ and the new ‘Similar Access Requirement’. The Review outlined the issues faced by LSSIF projects to date and provides recommendations in relation to a new round of LSSIF. Delivery of the first round of the LSSIF is beginning to accelerate and there will be a strong focus on accelerated deliverability of projects under this new round of funding.
The guide for applicants is available here.
Apr 25, 2024
A busy period beginning from the end of March saw the HBV Live Streaming Crew record the Kate Russell Trophy, the prestigious All-Ireland Girls Hockey Tournament hosted and won by The Royal School Armagh which also featured Wesley College Dublin, Kilkenny College, Colaiste Iognaid Galway and St.Angela’s College Cork. The hosts put on a fabulous occasion and the stream was enhanced by an excellent commentary team led by Duane Dell’Oca, Ex-International Ales Speers and renowned coach Mick McKinnon.
Moving into April, HBV Live are currently broadcasting the Irish Squash Open 2024 Tournament from the impressive venue at Fitzwilliam Tennis Club in Dublin (23rd – 26th). Part of the PSA World Tour, 5 days of quality squash, with players from 18 countries taking part. The first two days being shown on Premier Sports, with the last three days being streamed on the Squash Ireland YouTube Channel.
Hockey Ireland will then have 2 finals days live streamed, the first on the 28/04 in Banbridge HC, the EY Champions Trophy Finals for both Women & Men. And then moving into May the Irish Senior Cup Finals on the 04/05 takes place for both Women & Men at the National Hockey Stadium, UCD Belfield.
This runs alongside the start of the Cricket Ireland Summer with over 40 days of domestic Interprovincial Cricket for both Women & Men.
1st– 3rd of May sees the start of the Men’s IP Series hosted by Pembroke CC, as Leinster Lightning, Munster Reds, North West Warriors and Northern Knights take on each other over three days of T20 cricket. This is closely followed by the first International fixtures of the Summer as Ireland Men take on Pakistan at Clontarf CC in Three T20Is on the 10th, 12th & 14th of May. This will be a 12 camera production with commentary to be shown on TNT Sports (BT), one of the biggest HBV Live have undertaken so far.
The Women’s SuperSeries sees the first ball bowled on the 26/05 as The Dragons take on The Typhoons in Stormont, Belfast.
There will be more International Cricket dates announced during the Summer months, so watch this space…
In between Swim Ireland will host the Irish Senior Cup Water Polo in the Bangor Aurora Aquatic & Leisure Complex on the 11th May.
For more updates please follow @HBVStudios on X or @IrishSquash, @cricketireland, @irishhockey, @swimireland, @IrishWomensCric
Apr 12, 2024
Sport Ireland has published the latest snapshot of female representation on the boards of funded National Governing Bodies of Sport, Local Sports Partnerships, and other sporting funded bodies*.
- Overall percentage of women on boards in the Irish sport sector stands at 45%
- Minister Catherine Martin and Minister of State Thomas Byrne welcome increase in female representation
- The IRFU, FAI and GAA have all surpassed 40% representation of females on their boards for the first time
The overall percentage of women on boards in the sport sector in Ireland now stands at 45%, a three per cent increase on the previous snapshot which marked the first time there was female representation on every board.
The Irish Rugby Football Union (33% to 41%), the Football Association of Ireland (36% to 43%) and the Gaelic Athletic Association (16% to 43%) have all surpassed 40% representation of females on their boards for the first time.
The last snapshot, published in December 2023, showed an overall percentage increase to 42%. The snapshot is published as part of the Leadership & Governance pillar of the Sport Ireland Women in Sport Policy and outlines the current position and significant progress made since the policy was first published in 2019. That year females made up an average of just 24% of boards of National Governing Bodies.
As outlined in the Sports Action Plan published by the Government, National Governing Bodies (NGBs), Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) and other funded bodies had until the end of 2023 to reach the Government’s target of a minimum 40% female representation in the membership of their boards.
Overall female representation on the boards of NGBs and other sporting funded bodies has increased to 44% and for LSPs is up to 45. This represents a 3% and 2% increase on the previous snapshot.
There are now 61 NGBs and other sporting bodies which have achieved the Government target, with only 10 organisations yet to do so. While there are 25 LSPs who have also reached the target, with only four still short of it.
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, TD welcomed the progress reflected in the snapshot: “All boardrooms should be representative of our society and reflect modern Ireland, through proportionate female membership. In the past few months, NGBs and LSPs have been working hard as they look to increase the number of women on their boards. For example, Pitch and Putt Ireland (11% to 40%), the Irish Judo Association (13% to 50%), the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (13% to 46%), Olympic Handball Ireland (20% to 43%) and Donegal Sports Partnership (29% to 40%) have all made significant progress, which highlights their commitment to advancing women and girls in their sports.”
Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne TD, commented: “I welcome the continued progress that is being made with respect to female representation on sporting boards. This positive trajectory in sports leadership will enhance and strengthen our sporting community. I want to reiterate that sporting organisations which have yet to meet the 40% target will only be permitted to draw down 50% of their funding allocation until such a time, as they reach the 40% target.”
Sport Ireland CEO, Dr Úna May, commented: “There are now 86 of 100 funded National Governing Bodies of Sport, Local Sports Partnerships and other sporting funded bodies in Ireland who have met the target for gender representation on their boards. Since the release of the first snapshot in 2020, we have seen a continuous trend towards more gender-equal boards across sport in Ireland. This is crucial, as the decision-making processes in governing bodies should reflect the communities they serve. We would like to acknowledge the effort that has gone in to deliver this, and we will work closely with the sector at all levels to continue and maintain this progress.”
Sport Ireland Director of Strategic National Governing Body Programmes and Women in Sport Lead, Nora Stapleton, added: “This snapshot now includes figures from 100 sports organisations, including NGBs, LSPs, Sport Ireland, the Olympic Federation of Ireland, Paralympics Ireland, the Federation of Irish Sport, Student Sport Ireland, Active Disability Ireland, and Age & Opportunity. As well as acknowledging the board composition, Sport Ireland is also monitoring the proportion of women in leadership positions. It should be noted that a number of sporting organisations have made administrative arrangements, and constitutional and structural changes to allow them to meet the 40% target. The Sport Ireland Women in Sport Funding Programme can help NGBs, LSPs and other funded bodies on their journey of improving, and or maintaining, gender diversity on their board.”
Notes
All information is correct at the start of April 2024. This data can change from week to week as and when board members move on and off boards for a variety of reasons.
* The reference to other sporting funded bodies includes the Olympic Federation of Ireland, Paralympics Ireland, the Federation of Irish Sport, Student Sport Ireland, Active Disability Ireland and Age & Opportunity. The ‘Irish sport sector’ refers to all of these bodies as well as the NGBs and LSPs, making up the 100 organisations included in the tables below.
TABLES
NGB
March 2024 |
Total No. of Board Members |
Women Board Members |
% of Women on Board |
| Baton Twirling Sport Association of Ireland |
8 |
6 |
75% |
| Irish Tenpin Bowling Association |
8 |
5 |
63% |
| Triathlon Ireland |
8 |
5 |
63% |
| Fencing Ireland |
10 |
6 |
60% |
| Irish Squash |
10 |
6 |
60% |
| National Community Games |
10 |
6 |
60% |
| Special Olympics Ireland |
12 |
7 |
58% |
| Irish Wheelchair Association Sport |
7 |
4 |
57% |
| Volleyball Ireland |
7 |
4 |
57% |
| The Camogie Association |
16 |
9 |
56% |
| Hockey Ireland |
9 |
5 |
56% |
| Paralympics Ireland |
9 |
5 |
56% |
| Age and Opportunity |
9 |
5 |
56% |
| Archery Ireland |
4 |
2 |
50% |
| Athletics Ireland |
16 |
8 |
50% |
| Cycling Ireland |
10 |
5 |
50% |
| Deaf Sports Ireland |
4 |
2 |
50% |
| Gymnastics Ireland |
8 |
4 |
50% |
| Horse Sport Ireland |
4 |
2 |
50% |
| Irish Judo Association |
12 |
6 |
50% |
| Ladies Gaelic Football Association |
18 |
9 |
50% |
| Vision Sports Ireland |
8 |
4 |
50% |
| Student Sport Ireland |
10 |
5 |
50% |
| Sport Ireland |
12 |
6 |
50% |
| Golf Ireland |
13 |
6 |
46% |
| Irish Athletic Boxing Association |
13 |
6 |
46% |
| Badminton Ireland |
11 |
5 |
45% |
| Canoeing Ireland |
11 |
5 |
45% |
| Swim Ireland |
11 |
5 |
45% |
| Angling Council of Ireland |
9 |
4 |
44% |
| Basketball Ireland |
9 |
4 |
44% |
| Irish Lawn Bowls |
9 |
4 |
44% |
| Active Disability Ireland |
9 |
4 |
44% |
| Football Association of Ireland |
14 |
6 |
43% |
| Gaelic Athletic Association |
21 |
9 |
43% |
| Irish Olympic Handball Association |
7 |
3 |
43% |
| Irish Surfing Association |
7 |
3 |
43% |
| Rugby League Ireland |
7 |
3 |
43% |
| Tug of War Ireland |
7 |
3 |
43% |
| Olympic Federation of Ireland |
14 |
6 |
43% |
| Pentathlon Ireland |
7 |
3 |
43% |
| Bol Chumann na hÉireann |
12 |
5 |
42% |
| Cricket Ireland |
12 |
5 |
42% |
| GAA Handball Ireland |
12 |
5 |
42% |
| Irish Sailing Association |
12 |
5 |
42% |
| Irish Rugby Football Union |
29 |
12 |
41% |
| Croquet Association of Ireland |
10 |
4 |
40% |
| Diving Ireland / Irish Underwater Council |
10 |
4 |
40% |
| Ice Skating Association of Ireland |
5 |
2 |
40% |
| Irish Clay Target Shooting Association |
10 |
4 |
40% |
| Irish Ice Hockey Association of Ireland |
5 |
2 |
40% |
| Irish Waterski & Wakeboard Federation |
5 |
2 |
40% |
| Motorsport Ireland |
10 |
4 |
40% |
| Official National Amateur Karate Association |
10 |
4 |
40% |
| Pitch and Putt Ireland |
10 |
4 |
40% |
| Rowing Ireland |
10 |
4 |
40% |
| Table Tennis Ireland |
5 |
2 |
40% |
| Taekwondo Ireland |
5 |
2 |
40% |
| Tennis Ireland |
10 |
4 |
40% |
| Weightlifting Ireland |
5 |
2 |
40% |
| Federation of Irish Sport |
10 |
4 |
40% |
| American Football Ireland |
8 |
3 |
38% |
| Mountaineering Ireland |
11 |
4 |
36% |
| Racquetball Association of Ireland |
11 |
4 |
36% |
| Irish Martial Arts Commission |
29 |
10 |
34% |
| Snowsports Association |
6 |
2 |
33% |
| Irish Amateur Wrestling Association |
7 |
2 |
29% |
| Motorcycling Ireland |
7 |
2 |
29% |
| Speleological Union of Ireland |
11 |
3 |
27% |
| Snooker & Billiards Ireland |
13 |
3 |
23% |
| Orienteering Ireland |
10 |
1 |
10% |
LSP
March 2024 |
Total No. of Board Members |
Women Board Members |
% of Women on Board |
| DLR |
13 |
8 |
62% |
| Wexford |
13 |
8 |
62% |
| Limerick |
12 |
7 |
58% |
| Wicklow |
14 |
8 |
57% |
| Leitrim |
15 |
8 |
53% |
| Cavan |
18 |
9 |
50% |
| Dublin City |
14 |
7 |
50% |
| Laois |
6 |
3 |
50% |
| Offaly |
14 |
7 |
50% |
| South Dublin |
15 |
7 |
47% |
| Sligo |
15 |
7 |
47% |
| Kilkenny |
11 |
5 |
45% |
| Meath |
9 |
4 |
44% |
| Monaghan |
9 |
4 |
44% |
| Kildare |
14 |
6 |
43% |
| Longford |
14 |
6 |
43% |
| Louth |
14 |
6 |
43% |
| Mayo |
14 |
6 |
43% |
| Roscommon |
7 |
3 |
43% |
| Westmeath |
14 |
6 |
43% |
| Carlow |
15 |
6 |
40% |
| Clare |
10 |
4 |
40% |
| Donegal |
15 |
6 |
40% |
| Fingal |
10 |
4 |
40% |
| Tipperary |
15 |
6 |
40% |
| Waterford |
13 |
5 |
38% |
| Kerry |
16 |
6 |
38% |
| Cork |
14 |
5 |
36% |
| Galway |
18 |
6 |
33% |
Apr 12, 2024
The Federation of Irish Sport today launched the 2024 Irish Sport Industry Awards alongside Minister of State with responsibility for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht Thomas Byrne. Now in its 7th iteration, they will be celebrated at an awards ceremony on Tuesday 28th May at the College Green Hotel in Dublin’s city centre.
- 7th hosting of the Irish Sport Industry Awards
- Economic value of Sport €3.7bn GVA to the economy
- Over 64,000 employed in sport
- Entries are now live: irishsportindustryawards.ie
A highlight of the sports awards calendar, the event brings together a cross-section of the sports sector and key stakeholders in sport. The awards celebrate and reward excellence in the business of sport, while simultaneously highlighting the contribution of sport to the Irish economy. This will be the seventh staging of the awards. The Sport industry in Ireland supports 64,000 jobs, stimulates €3.3 billion in household spending, and generates €3.7 billion (GVA) gross value added to the Irish economy.
Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne TD, commented: “The Irish Sport Industry Awards are a unique celebration of Sport. The awards offer a welcome opportunity to recognise new enterprises and innovation in sport and celebrate the many successful campaigns undertaken by National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships, in promoting participation for all in sport. I want to commend the Federation of Irish Sport for organising the awards and commend all of those being recognised and celebrated.”
Mary O’Connor, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport said: “We are once again looking forward to hosting the Irish Sport Industry Awards which recognise the invaluable relationship between business and sport in Ireland. The Federation firmly believes that the true power of sport can be harnessed by viewing it in a wider context including what it delivers for the economy and our communities.”
Entries are now open for submission, for a full list of categories, event updates and to enter the awards go to: https://irishsportindustryawards.ie/. Closing date for entries is Friday 3rd May.
Now in it’s seventh instalment, the award categories celebrated each year are designed to recognise a wide range of aspects of sport from entrepreneurship with Best Sports Businesses (new and existing) sports media coverage with the Jimmy Magee Award for Best Sports Coverage of the Year, good governance and leadership in sport with the leading governing body and local sports partnership initiatives, and the commercial, inclusivity and promotion of sport with Best Sports Sponsorship, Best Inclusivity initiative, Best promotion of Women in Sport, Best Use of Communications platforms, Women in Business in Sport and the much coveted Outstanding Achievement Award.
The entries will be judged by an esteemed judging panel comprising of media, PR, and independent sports industry experts and Chaired by Sport for Business founder and CEO Rob Hartnett. The Jimmy Magee FIS/ASJI Award for Sports Coverage of the Year will be independently adjudicated by the Association of Sports’ Journalists Ireland (ASJI).
