May 12, 2014
Ministers Reilly and Varadkar welcome launch of Active School Week 2014
12.5.2014
Part of an intersectoral approach under Healthy Ireland
The Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly TD, and Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar, today (Monday 12 May 2014) welcomed the launch of Active School Week 2014.
Minister Reilly said, “Active School Week is an ideal opportunity for schools, children, parents, and the wider community to work together to commit to becoming more physically active. Under Healthy Ireland we want the healthier choice to be the easier choice. We want to create an environment where everyone can take responsibility and play their part in improving the health and wellbeing of themselves, their families and their communities.
Minister Reilly said, “My Department is developing a National Physical Activity Plan with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport under the Healthy Ireland framework and with input from other key Departments and stakeholders, . It will promote and encourage greater levels of participation in physical activity by everybody living in Ireland. The aim is to create a shared understanding that more can be done together to address the high rates of physical inactivity in Ireland and the health, economic and social costs related to it.”
Minister Varadkar said: “I am really keen to promote more sport in schools. If we can get children active from an early age, they are more likely to live healthy and happy lives, and society as a whole will benefit. My Department is developing a Sport Policy which is designed to get all Government Departments working together on sport, and we are co-chairing the development of a National Physical Activity Plan with the Department of Health.”
The Ministers encouraged schoolchildren, their parents and communities to recognise the physical and social benefits of being more physically active.
Minister Reilly said, “We are designed to move and to be active and this is critical to our body’s maintenance and wellbeing. Physical activity is an essential ingredient for a healthier country and can deliver so many other benefits for individuals and the wider community. Being physically active is very important in preventing many chronic diseases and also has wider benefits for individual wellbeing”.
The Ministers praised the Active School Week and the Active School Flag initiatives – which are being undertaken by the Department of Education and Skills – for encouraging participation in all types of physical activity. “Active School Week promotes physical activity in schools and communities and fits in with this intersectoral approach”, said Minister Reilly. They expressed the wish that all of the participants would enjoy whatever activities they became involved in and urged even greater levels of participation in the future.
The Active Schools Week and Active Schools Flag initiative is funded by the Teacher Education Section of the Department of Education and Skills and based in Mayo Education Centre. For more details, see here
May 9, 2014
IT’S TIME TO GET MOVING!
APPLY NOW FOR A GRANT FROM THE COCA-COLA THANK YOU FUND
€125,000 IN FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR PROJECTS PROMOTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
MINISTER LEO VARADKAR AND ATHLETE DERVAL O’ROURKE LAUNCH FUND
#MOVEMENTISHAPPINESS
Voluntary and non-profit organisations which want to kick-start new programmes encouraging people to become more active could win €25,000 to get them up and running, it was announced today.
Five grants totalling €125,000 are up for grabs for new sport and physical activity initiatives under the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund(the Fund), which was launched today by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar TD and Irish athlete Derval O’Rourke. Derval is this year’s ambassador for the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund.
Applications for the Fund are being accepted online from Wednesday 7th May until 6pm on the 16th of June at www.coca-cola.ie/thankyou.
“This is a great initiative which aims to get people moving and help non-profit groups to stage physical activities. I got first-hand experience of this scheme by taking part in the Swim for a Mile challenge. Swim Ireland trained more than 1,000 people to swim for a mile and then hosted a series of nationwide events for them to put their training into practice. This year, five organisations will each receive €25,000 for their projects, and I encourage other groups to think about how they can promote active living through this fund,” said Leo Varadkar TD, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.
Fund ambassador Derval O’Rourke urged her followers on Twitter to start thinking of bright ideas that could use funding. She wrote: “Because #MovementIsHappiness we’re looking for inspiring projects that will get people moving! Enter at www.coca-cola.ie/thankyou.”
The Fund’s judging panel will include Lorraine Ho, Managing Director of Bootcamp Ireland, Tina Murphy, founder of Run with Tina, Denis Toomey, President, Cycling Ireland and Deirdre Garvey, CEO at The Wheel. Representatives from both of the Fund’s partner organisations Federation of Irish Sport, and the Northern Ireland Sports Forum, will also join the panel along with Erica Roseingrave of Coca-Cola Hellenic Ireland.
“We are delighted to announce the availability of €125,000 in funding for 2014, and welcome voluntary and non-profit organisations to apply online at www.coca-cola.ie/thankyou. The Fund is looking for creative and engaging approaches to getting people moving through sport and activity based programmes. We want to capture the imagination of those who may not incorporate a great deal of physical exercise into their routines at the moment by providing them with new ways of getting active. Now is the time to start thinking about what your organisation could do with our support to mobilise the people of Ireland and Northern Ireland towards greater levels of movement. In addition to submitting an entry via our website, we invite you to join the conversation on Twitter at #MovementIsHappiness,” said Ailish Forde, Director, Public Affairs and Communications, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland.
The Coca-Cola Thank You Fund was launched in 2011 and has so far distributed €375,000 in grants. This year’s funding total of €125,000 will bring the amount donated through the Fund to half a million Euro. More information about the Fund is available at www.coca-cola.ie/thankyou. Entries will be accepted online from today until 16th June 2014.
May 8, 2014
If participating in this years Women’s Mini Marathon then you could look to get a good idea of your preparation by taking part in South Dublin County Sports Partnership’s Ramble Aid event on Sunday, May 25th at 11am in Griffeen Valley Park in Lucan. The course is a flat 7.5km loop of the park on tarmac surface so will offer either a fast time if sought or a comfortable walk that will get you ready for the 10km mini marathon distance. The cost of entry is just €7.50 (+ 52c online registration fee) with proceeds going to the Carers Association, the national voluntary association for carers in the home. Timing and refreshments provided. To register see www.facebook.com/rambleaid and for more details contact the Sports Partnership office on info@sdcsp.ie or call/text 086 0441071.
The final event in the Ramble Aid charity series is a 10km run/walk (€10 registration) on Sunday, June 29th at 11am in Corkagh Park, Clondalkin.
Rambleaid Flyer
Apr 1, 2014
The annual search is on to celebrate and reward the dedication and commitment of the sporting volunteer. The endless enthusiasm of the volunteer allows children and adults to participate in sport at every level throughout their communities.
An initiative of the Federation of Irish Sport in conjunction with the Irish Sports Council, the Department of Tourism, Transport and Sport and The Community Foundation of Ireland, the Volunteers in Sport Awards are run to honour the work of volunteers in Irish sport.
The awards are designed to recognise the contribution of the 500,000 volunteers who give so generously of their time to sport every year. Sport remains the single biggest driver of voluntary activity in Ireland.
Ten winners will be selected to receive an award from the nominations received. An Overall or Lifetime award to honour a volunteer, who has consistently given of their time for a sport, a team, or an event over many years, will also be awarded. Full details of the scheme and how to enter can be found on line at www.volunteersinsport.com
The deadline for nominations for the 2014 Volunteers in Irish Sport Awards is 12noon, Friday 25th April 2014. The awards will be presented to the winners at a ceremony in the Aviva Stadium in early Autumn.
For further information, please contact:
Elaine Mooney, Federation of Irish Sport, elaine.mooney@irishsport.ie Tel: 01 6251155
Follow us on: https://twitter.com/volunteers2014
Like us at: https://www.facebook.com/volunteersinsport
Apr 1, 2014
- Opportunity to maximise potential of sport for benefit of Ireland given the wide and varied contribution made by sport in 2013
- Sport supports 40,000 Irish Jobs with the global value of sport estimated at between $350 – $450 billion each year
- Calls for creation of cross-departmental strategy on sport or Master Plan for Sport which Minister for Sport has indicated will commence in 2014
- Need for diversity in funding streams for sport such as extending existing tax concessions for donations to sporting bodies in line with recommendations of 2009 Commission on Taxation
- Outlines key contribution by each of Ireland’s National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships in 2013
- Includes thoughts of a selection of Irish business leaders, journalists, politicians and sporting personalities on the importance of sport to Ireland
The Federation of Irish Sport, as part of its 2013 Review of Irish Sport, has sought to highlight the wide and varied contribution sport makes to Ireland. The Review details some of the key achievements of Ireland’s National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships in 2013.
This year’s Review is the 5th such report since the publication of the first “Why Irish Sport Matters” document in October 2009 and looks to chart the progress made in terms of sports policy in the intervening years. In this regard, the Federation welcomes the Ministers’ Vardakar and Ring’s recent announcement that they will commence work on an overall Sports Policy in 2014.
The Federation first touted the concept of a Master Plan for sport that would harness sport’s role in business, tourism, public health, social inclusion, education as well as its role in building Ireland’s reputation in 2012. The reason being that it is only with such a strategic approach to sport, and investment in sport, that the true potential of sport to deliver on other socio-economic objectives for Ireland can be realised.
Irish Sport continued to deliver for Ireland in 2013. Participation levels continue to increase whilst there was significant success on the international stage. 67 Irish athletes featured on the podium at major international events including Rob Heffernan’s gold medal, 15 World Championship Paralympic Medals, European Gold for sailor Annalise Murphy and a first Grand Slam for Ireland’s Women’s Rugby Team.
The Review states that this continued success at all levels of the sporting pyramid cannot be taken for granted and warns that without continued investment (both public and private) much of this progress could be undone. It is in this vein, that the Federation has used the Review to renew its call for a tax concession on donations to sporting bodies for current in addition to capital projects is introduced – as recommended by the Commission on Taxation in 2009.
The Review this year also includes quotes from a number of Ireland’s political, business, media and sporting leaders on their view of the importance of sport to Ireland and how they think sport can play in the creation of a better Ireland. Quotes from An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, journalist Vincent Browne, Paddy Power CEO, Patrick Kennedy, Harmonia Chairperson, Norah Casey and European Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley all outline a view that sport has and should have a role in the creation of a better Ireland.
Federation of Irish Sport CEO, Sarah O’Connor, said on publishing the Review:
“We are very proud of the achievements that our members, their clubs and volunteers have made to improve Irish Society in 2013, reaching every community in Ireland. Much of the off-field contribution of this work is seen for example in; bed nights, the purchasing of sports equipment and the benefits to participants of all ages of physical activity. Our members feel that a change of mind-set is required so that sport is no longer seen for just the sport itself but for all the ancillary benefits it delivers. The Federation believes that a strategic approach to sport should be adopted to ensure that all these potential benefits are harnessed and maximum benefit is derived from all public monies invested in sport. It is for this reason that we are looking for the Government to adopt a Master Plan for Sport. Singapore has already taken this step with the Government there embracing “Vision 2030: Living Better Through Sport”. We believe that in Ireland, with the right support Irish Sport can do much more.”
A copy of the 2013 Annual Review is available here:
http://irishsport.ie/wpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Federation-of-Irish-Sport-Annual-Review-2013.pdf
Why Irish Sport Matters Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPslQvsieXQ
For further information, please contact:
Sarah O’Connor, CEO, Federation of Irish Sport 01-6251155
Mar 31, 2014
The Event
The achievement of the weekend would have to be Emma LUDLOW’S brilliant battle to claim her first National Senior title. An achievement that looks ever more extraordinary when she came into the event seeded 6th. At the group stages LUDLOW recorded a significant win over third seed Hannah LYNCH-DAWSON 3-2, which attracted the attention of the watching fans as the two girls’ battled it out. At the quarter final stage she came through a comfortable winner over Marta ZAREBA. The semi-final saw her face the number 1 seed Katie MCGLONE. The match was neck and neck and at 1-1 and the two girls battled hard and in two agonizingly close sets LUDLOW came out on top winning 14-12 and 12-10 to take a 3-1 lead. MCGLONE pulled back the fifth set, but LUDLOW stormed to an early lead in the sixth set and never looked back, she booked her place in the final to face 3 times National Champion Ashley GIVAN.
The final saw LUDLOW take the opening sets 11-9, 11-9 and putting pressure on the experienced GIVAN. The spectators knew the battle wasn’t over and GIVAN pulled back the third 12-10. LUDLOW found another gear in the fourth set and took a 3-1 lead. The fifth set was neck and neck, the score was 9-9 and LUDLOW took the next point to have her first ever National Senior Championship point, GIVAN showed exceptional nerve and took the next 3 points and the set to bring it back to 3-2. However as in the semi-final LUDLOW was determined to wrap up the match, and raced to 10-2 lead. She now had 8 more championship points; but she only needed the one taking her maiden title 4-2. Emma ran straight to her mother Anne who had been anxiously sitting in the stands and a warm embrace from the proud mother was greeted with further applause.
In the Mens Singles, the level was top class and it was very difficult to predict a winner. Remarkably, the semi-final pairings were identical to 2013, with Gavin MAGUIRE facing John MURPHY and Paul MCCREERY facing international team-mate Ashley ROBINSON. Murphy showed his supreme battling skills to push MAGUIRE all the way in an exciting match on the show court which had the crowd on the edge of their seats. MAGUIRE raced in to a 3-1 lead, showcasing his talent as he looked to move to the Final. Murphy is never beaten though and came back to level at 3-3 to set up a final set decider. Having been pushed all the way by Declan O’BRIEN in the Quarter Final, this was a step too far for MURPHY and MAGUIRE showed nerves of steel to progress to the National Senior Final. On the other side of the draw, MCCREERY had progressed all the way to the Semi-Final without dropping a set – he looked focussed and determined to retain his title. He faced Ashley ROBINSON in the semi-final, and looked to avenge ROBINSON’s win from the Under 21s on Day 1. This was a spectacular match with both players playing some outstanding table tennis. McCreery fell 3-2 behind and for a moment he looked like he might relinquish his title. However, he battled back and we had another final set decider – with the margins so fine at this level, the experience of being National champion must have some bearing on the outcome, and McCreery just edged out the impressive ROBINSON to progress to the Final. Many commentators expressed the view that for ROBINSON, he will one day claim this title, but for 2014 we had a re-match of last year’s Final.
The eagerly awaited Final pitted two top class players against each other and they gave a demonstration of skill, athleticism and mental strength to provide a thrilling conclusion to the Championships. Maguire at 3-1 up must have fancied his chances of recording his 2nd National Senior title. McCreery, always composed, found himself battling again as he had done in the Semi-Final. He stepped up a gear that Maguire, on the day, could not match, claiming the 3 remaining sets (3,4,7) to claim a consecutive National title and bring the Eddie Limberg trophy home. The crowd cstood to acclaim both players and McCreery himself jumped on top of the table to celebrate, a mix of joy and relief etched on his face – he had been pushed all the way by Maguire.
In the Veterans, Dariusz Zatylny edged out Daryl Strong to claim the title. Ashley Robinson claimed the Under 21 Men’s Final, with a fine win over McCreery in the Semi-Final and a straight sets win over World Championship team-mate Ryan Farrell in the Final. In the Under 21 Women’s Final, Leeside TTC’s Chloe O’Halloran edged out UCD’s Sarah Timlin in an exciting Final.
In the Doubles, Katie McGlone and John Murphy teamed up – MURPHY had targeted this title as the only National title he had yet to win, and both players showed great strength and quality to claim the title with a win over Givan and Maguire in the Final. Murphy added to his title haul by combining with Paul McCreery to claim the Men’s Doubles title, with a win over Maguire and Robinson. It was great to see Amanda MOGEY back in action after significant injury troubles and she did not leave the Nationals empty handed, combining with Ashly Givan to claim the Women’s Doubles title.
The Para events saw some shock results. 18 Year old Colin Judge, recently confirmed as a member of Paralympics Ireland Fast-Track Panel of athletes, claimed his first National title in a tense Final against Philip Quinlan. Rena McCarron Rooney claimed the Women’s Wheelchair Singles, while Philip Quinlan and Ronan Rooney claimed the Doubles title, following a marathon semi-final over John Finn and Colin Judge and a Final win over Rena McCarron Rooney and Christine Doyle.
In the Class II Singles, UCD’s Kevin Hutchinson was in outstanding form, progressing to a title win without dropping a set, including an impressive win over Paul O’Toole at the Final stage.
ITTA Chief Operations Officer, Darren Coombes said:
“This event continues to grow and remains the most anticipated event on the ITTA Calendar. We had a really impressive volunteer effort and the use of a fantastic facility which allowed our top players put on a great display of table tennis. This was our first foray into live streaming and we were delighted with the results. Congratulations to all of our 2014 National Champions, in particular Paul McCreery and Emma Ludlow who claimed the Men’s and Women’s Singles titles in front of an enthralled crowd.”
He also thanked his wonderful team of volunteers, Event Referee Con O’Ceadaigh, Umpires, Media Team and Logistics team and extended congratulations to the 2014 crop of National Champions.
Full results available here (Knockout Draws) and here.
For Further Details see:
Website: http://www.irishtabletennis.com/itta
Twitter: @TableTennisIre
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TableTennisIreland?fref=ts
