Dec 19, 2013
The Federation welcome the decision, outlined as part of the Revised Estimates process for the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport published on 19th December, to reverse by €2 million the reduction in current funding for sport announced in Budget 2014 on 15th October. We are pleased that the Government have listened to our concerns which have been reflected in an increased allocation for current funding for sport next year.
The current funding for sport, presently distributed through the Irish Sports Council, is particularly essential for the continued development of sport in Ireland supporting as it does the operations of National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) who play a key role in the management, operation and delivery of recreational and competitive sport across the country. These monies not only support jobs within these organisations but also facilitate projects and initiatives such as sports development programmes, coach education and training, volunteer support programmes as well as the development and management of our existing and future international athletes.
The Federation also welcomes the confirmation that further funding, details of which are to be announced in the next few days, is to be made available for a new round of the Sports Capital Programme providing welcome relief to sports clubs around the country who have been significantly impacted by the challenging economic environment. It is also good news that €13 million will be made available to develop the National Indoor Training Centre at the National Sports Campus – a facility that will provide for the first time a world-class base from which our existing and developing international athletes can train and prepare alongside the sport science, medical and administrative support already based at the Campus.
Since the onset of the recession, the Federation has consistently called for the protection of the current funding for sport to be prioritised whilst recognising the importance of capital funding through calls for the reinstatement of the Sports Capital Programme, which lay dormant for three years, and the completion of the National Sports Campus.
However, despite the overall increase in funding for sport in 2014 the on-going reduction of current funding remains a concern – this funding serving as it does as seed capital for the operation and development of sport in Ireland and highlights the need for a real debate on the role of sport in Irish Society with a view to examining ways of attracting additional and alternative revenues into Irish Sport. This is particularly important if sport is to play a significant role in other priority areas for Ireland including public health, job creation and tourism for example.
The Federation of Irish Sport is the representative body for Ireland’s NGBs and LSPs. 2.1 million Irish people participate in over 70 different sports across 12,000 clubs nationwide. Ireland’s sports clubs spend an estimated €818 million in the Irish economy on goods and services each year. Irish Sport also supports 40,532 jobs and contributes an estimated €2.4 billion to Ireland’s GDP each year. Sport contributes heavily to tourism with 254,000 Irish residents travelling domestically to sporting events in 2012 (up 11% on 2010). Sport is also a key driver in international tourism for example, recreational angling is estimated to generate revenues in excess of €755 million and golf €202 million with only 21% of that on golf-related activities.
Revised Estimates- Programme Expenditure- Sports and Recreation Services
Dec 19, 2013
SWIM FOR A MILE CHALLENGE SUPPORTED BY THE COCA-COLA THANK YOU FUND 2013
Wednesday December 18th 2013: Swim Ireland today announced details of its inaugural, all-Ireland ‘Swim for a Mile Challenge 2014’. The project will challenge members of the public to compete in a national event to swim for a mile. Swim Ireland will provide a free training programme, support, advice and motivation for all those wanting to take on the challenge.
A mile of swimming is the equivalent of a marathon in the water and is longer than any Olympic pool based race, making it the ultimate test in the sport.
The Challenge is being made possible through The Coca-Cola Thank You Fund and the Irish Sports Council’s Women in Sport Programme. Last month Swim Ireland won the top award in The Coca-Cola Thank You Fund of €25,000 which has helped to make the ‘Swim for a Mile Challenge 2014’ a reality.
Supporting swimmers to go the distance, Swim Ireland is offering free swim training programmes available through the Swim for a Mile website and also free lane space and coaching at each of the five event locations from the start of the year right up to the event, making the challenge the perfect New Year’s fitness resolution for 2014!
With Swim Irelands expert support, participants will be able to hone their swimming technique, increase their levels of fitness and improve on a life-long skill – but most importantly be in prime shape to take on the mile challenge when the competition takes place in Cork, Limerick, Galway, Bangor and Dublin on 31st March to 4th April 2014.
Leo Varadkar, Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport said: “This is a great initiative from Swim Ireland and a great way to get people swimming. Everyone should have an opportunity to take part in sport or physical activity, and swimming is one of the best forms of exercise. Well done to Swim Ireland for running this event which promises to be good fun and very rewarding.”
Today FM’s ‘The Last Word’ presenter Matt Cooper has come on board as an Ambassador for the Challenge. He has signed up to participate and will encourage listeners to ‘Swim for a Mile with Matt’. Speaking today Matt said: “I can outrun my children comfortably and they couldn’t keep up with me on the bike but in the pool they leave me behind comfortably and lap me continuously. They’ve learnt how to swim properly and now train regularly and compete in galas and they have gained so much from it. I don’t think I’ll ever get up to their level but they’ve pointed out how poor my technique is and how I need to learn how to swim correctly if I’m going to get enough enjoyment from it. So this is my 2014 challenge: I’m going to learn how to swim properly and train so that I can swim a mile in any session without collapsing. Committing to this event publicly will ensure that I do it, I hope! I’m really looking forward to the challenge and to working with Last Word listeners so we can all achieve it.”
Double Olympian and European Medallist Melanie Nocher is helping Swim Ireland to raise the profile of the Challenge, the first of its kind to take place on an all-Ireland basis. Melanie will be on hand to give advice and guidance to the public for the duration of the project, “I have always been passionate about swimming and showing others that you don’t have to be at an elite level to get involved. It is a unique sport in which people of all abilities and ages can get involved so Swim Irelands Challenge is the perfect platform to show this. I am excited about this initiative and the impact it’s going to have in terms of growing the sport and encouraging as many people to experience the benefits of swimming.”
Speaking at the launch Erica Roseingrave, Public Affairs and Communications Manager, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland, said: “The Coca-Cola Thank You Fund was developed to lend financial support to groups with great ideas encouraging people to lead healthy and active lifestyles. Swim Ireland and its Swim for a Mile Challenge was such a worthy winner and now anyone who is interested can join in and take part. The team at Swim Ireland have put together a training schedule that is relevant even to a novice swimmer so there will be no excuses for anyone not to engage and participate next year. I even hope to do it myself!”
For more information about the Swim Ireland “Swim for a Mile Challenge” log onto www.swimforamile.com.
For more information, please contact:
Trish Mayon, Swim Ireland, 01-6251138/086-8094786
Event Dates & Locations
Cork: Leisureworld, Bishopstown- Monday 31st March 2014
Limerick: UL Sport- Tuesday 1st April 2014
Galway: Kingfisher, NUI Galway- Wednesday 2nd April 2014
Bangor: Aurora Leisure Centre- Thursday 3rd April 2014
Dublin: National Aquatic Centre- Friday 4th April 2014
Nov 8, 2013
The FIS attended the inaugural ‘Together We Move’ event, facilitated by Coca-Cola Europe in London on October 23rd-24th. Over 160 academics, experts and active programme delivery partners from across Europe gathered at the event to discuss collaborative ways of working to help foster healthier, happier and more active communities.
The event was held at the headquarters of ‘StreetGames’ in Black Prince Community Hub in Lambeth, South London. StreetGames is a charity set up in 2007 bringing sport to the doorstep of young people in disadvantaged communities across the UK. The site is a former secondary school in an urban area, rescued from demolition in 2006 and transformed into a sports facility for the local community.
The provision of sporting activities has helped lower crime rates and has brought the local community together. It is a prime example of how sport can change and enrich people’s lives and transform communities. The StreetGames project is similar to the ‘FAI Late Night Leagues’ that run so successfully in Ireland and have also proven to reduce Garda call out rates significantly when they are held. Coca Cola supports Street Games as part of the London 2012 legacy project which aims to increase participation in sport in the UK.
Presentations were made by many of the different active lifestyle programmes that are funded by Coca Cola in Europe which were of great interest particularly when looking to what might be a possible in Ireland.
‘Mission Olympics’ in Germany sees different cities showcasing their sports clubs, infrastructure, and activities for citizens to try out and get involved in, on a special one day event. 128,000 people participate in the event each year. The competition attracts a €75,000 prize and according to Florian Frank, Head of Marketing, German Olympic Sports Confederation, ‘it is not dissimilar to the Tidy Towns concept in Ireland’ where communities are mobilised for a common goal which seems to be a thread that runs through many of these successful projects.
‘Beat the Street’ in the UK is a project that aims to get more children physically active through an international school walking competition. The competition uses swipe cards to monitor and track students’ walks to and from school during a four week period rewarding students who walk with points that are then converted into donations to charity. The competition involves schools across the world, – six in London and two in Vancouver and is looking to expand. Schools are encouraged to compete for a position in a league against other schools in their city, country and internationally in this innovative programme that inspires behaviour change. 3,600 children have participated in the competition so far.
The Federation of Irish Sport is a partner in the Coca Cola Thank You Fund which awards grants to eleven different projects promoting healthy lifestyles in Ireland amounting to €125,000 in total. Winners of the prize were announced on 6th November 2013 and more details can be found here.
Nov 8, 2013
LOCATION
National Sports Campus, Abbotstown.
DATE
27th October 2013
PARTICIPATING TEAMS/ATHLETES
56 athletes from all over Ireland and visiting athletes from the UK and representatives from the British Army Pentathlon team.
HOST
ABOUT PI
Pentathlon Ireland (PI) is the National Governing Body for the Olympic sport of Modern Pentathlon which is made up of five disciplines; fencing, swimming show jumping running and shooting. PI (formerly the Modern Pentathlon Association of Ireland) was established in 2003.
EVENT HISTORY
First National Championships hosted in 2005.
EVENT PREPARATION
With five sports to include in a one day, event organisation was key to a successful competition. Preparations began 4 months prior to the event with volunteers working tirelessly in the build up to the competition day.
THE EVENT
(all photos by: Mel Doyle, www.meldoyle.ie)
VENUES
National Aquatics Centre (Swimming), National Horse Sport Arena (Show Jumping) and the National Modern Pentathlon Centre (Fencing, Shooting and running). The Carlton Hotel Blanchardstown (Presentation Evening).
VOLUNTEERS
Competition Director: David Lowe
Swim Director: Peta Scott
Riding Director: Carolyn Lanigan-O’Keeffe
Fencing Director: LT Hugh Ford
Shooting Director: Jim Bailey
Running Director: Paul Madden
Results Team: John Woodbridge (Sculptor results) with Heidi Haenschke, Louise Quinn, Ena Coleman and Ena Collins
Presentation Evening: Louise Quinn
Plus an additional 20 volunteers on the day to help the smooth running of all the disciplines.
HOW THE EVENT WAS STRUCTURED
The event was run as close to possible as a normal international event with all phases being completed in the one day. The competition was run across all age groups from Masters to Youth E (8-10yrs) with our youngest competitors just 8 years old.
The younger classes contested the swim, run and shoot disciplines with athletes in the Youth C age group (12-14) or older having the opportunity to compete in all five disciplines.
All age groups started with the swimming at the NAC. The competitors then split according to age groups with the older group completing their show jumping rounds whilst the younger age groups contested the fencing discipline. On conclusion, these groups swapped venues and contested their fencing and riding events to leave just the combined run/shoot event to determine the final placings for the National Titles. In Pentathlon, your points from your performances in the swim, fence and ride disciplines determine the handicapped start order for the final run/shoot event. This means that the leader of the competition begins on the starters gun with other athletes following at timed intervals according to their points deficit. This means the athletes to cross the finish line at the end of the combined run/shoot is the overall winner of the whole day’s competition. This lead to some fantastic finishes especially in the Youth B Boys category (15-16yrs).
Pentathlon Ireland organised a presentation evening with guest speaker; Kate Allenby MBE and Olympic bronze medallist from Sydney 2000 who presented the medals.
WHERE NEXT FOR THE IRISH TEAM
Traditionally the international pentathlon season runs from March to August so this is effectively the low season for our athletes. The majority of our High Performance athletes are in the beginning of a new phase of training for the 2014 season with a lot of our Youth athletes consolidating after a fantastic year of new experiences competing and training in modern pentathlon.
HOW THE EVENT WENT, QUOTE
Lindsey Weedon (Performance Director). The 2013 National Championships was a huge success and a real show case event for our new facilities at the National Sports Campus. Being able to train and compete in the five disciplines on one campus is something which is something our athletes have been dreaming about and, with continued hard work, will hopefully begin to translate into winning medals that they’ve also been dreaming about. The NSCDA and Horse Sport Ireland need to be recognised in helping to facilitate this development which will see the start of a new chapter for the association and the sport of modern pentathlon in Ireland.
In terms of the competition, it was an ambitious competition schedule to run all events on one day but with the dedication of a great team of volunteers we were able to make it work to a really high standard. Everyone was delighted with the way the competition ran and feedback about the event has been really positive.
SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS
FOR MORE INFO SEE:
Nov 8, 2013
October was a busy month with sport represented at the Global Economic Forum for the first time and Budget 2014 not to mention developments regarding alcohol sponsorship & sport. The Federation are also contributing to a working group headed up by the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport and the Department of Health on the development of a National Physical Activity Plan. Further details are set out below:
1. Global Irish Economic Forum
Forum Reception
Sport was included for the first time at the Global Irish Economic Forum held in Dublin Castle on the 4th – 5th October. A reception held by the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport on the Thursday evening provided an opportunity for representatives from Irish Sport to meet with some of the Forum attendees.
Speaking at the reception, Minister Varadkar highlighted that Irish Sport is worth €2.4 billion to the economy and supports more than 40,000 jobs. He also outlined that more than 2% of Ireland’s total workforce work in a sport-related area, and that €818 million is spent annually by Ireland’s 12,000 voluntary sport clubs.
Minster Varadkar highlighted role of sport not just in terms of lifting morale but also its overall contribution to the economy saying, “Sport lifts the spirit in a way that no other sector can. It also makes a significant contribution to the economy, as shown by a recent EU study on the contribution of sport to economic growth. The report highlighted sport’s ability to develop other sectors of the economy including, tourism, fitness, the media, and education.”
The Minister went onto highlight that some 8,826 people are employed directly in the voluntary sport sector, which creates around one job for every €25,000 invested. He also noted that employment in sport is also growing – and cited an example from the GAA who now have 313 people are now employed in Games Development compared to 20 in 1991.
Minister Ring added: “Grants for sports capital projects play a very important role in supporting employment. For example, my officials have calculated that the €13.5 million allocated to sports capital subhead in 2013 will support almost 600 jobs in the construction and related sectors in 2013. Much of this will benefit job creation in rural areas.”
Minister Varadkar also said: “I set out four priorities for sport when I was appointed Minister. These were to re-start development of the National Sports Campus on a realistic level, re-launch the Sports Capital Programme, protect funding for sport through the Sports Council, and promote sport as an exam subject in schools. Work is progressing well in all these areas.”
“Furthermore, sports-based tourism is prioritized in the Programme for Government because it brings high-yield, high-value international visitors to the country. Sports tourists spend on average twice as much as general tourists, whether attending sporting events or taking part in sport. We have also focused on major events that attract large spectator numbers and overseas media coverage, like the Navy versus Notre Dame American football game, or the annual Irish Open golf event. Almost a fifth of all Gathering events this year were sports-related, while 254,000 Irish residents traveled domestically to sports events last year with an average overnight stay of two nights.”
Panel Discussion
On the Saturday morning a panel comprised of Minister Michael Ring T.D., Martin Naughton (President, Glen Dimplex Group), Eugenie Buckley (Suiko Consulting), Paraic Duffy (Director General, GAA), Hugo Mac Neill (Managing Director, Goldman Sachs Ireland) and Kevin O’Brien (Cricket Ireland) lead a discussion moderated by Newstalk’s Ger Gilroy on “Promoting the interest of Ireland and its people abroad through Sport”.
A significant number of Forum attendees sat in on the panel discussion and there was some good interaction with the floor. Recognition that sport had the potential to contribute to Ireland beyond the confines of the sporting activity itself was highlighted with tourism, health and Ireland’s reputation abroad the main focus.
The following initiatives the group felt would be worth examining in more detail:
a) The establishment of a sport specific agency or bidding entity to develop sports tourism in Ireland. The entity would be charged with bringing specified targeted sports events to host in Ireland in accordance with a sports tourism strategy. The success of the Army V Navy American Football match was cited as a very well executed example of the potential of sports events to make a much wider contribution to tourism and the economy.
b)Trade missions could accompany suitable Irish Sporting Tours or Events Abroad. The power of sport in building relationships as well as its association with business life was mentioned. It was felt that the participation of Irish teams or athletes in international events or tours may provide a suitable platform on which to build trade missions. Kevin O’Brien cited the example of where he accompanied Enterprise Ireland on two separate trips to India to highlight Ireland’s education system with a view to attracting Indians to our third level universities and institutions.
2. Budget 2014
The Federation has been liaising with the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport in the aftermath of Budget 2014. The Department have stated that they are working to minimize the reduction in the current funding to sport announced in the recent budget. It is hoped that the final figure for 2014 will be confirmed in December.
Details around the level of funding to be made available to the National Sports Campus Development Authority are also yet to be confirmed although in what is good news for Irish Sport, it is hoped the available monies will be such to allow for the commencement of the development of the National Indoor Training Arena.
The Budget announcement also contained confirmation that there will be a new round of the Sports Capital Programme in 2014. This was the subject of a number of priority questions in the Oireachtas on November 7th. In responding to questions Minister Ring confirmed that details of the new programme were currently being developed and that he hoped to be able to make an announcement before the end of the year. He confirmed that his Department had developed a new portal www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie which will provide information on the new programme and through which applications will be managed. Organisation interested in applying for capital grants should register on the portal. A full transcript of the parliamentary questions can be downloaded at http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/takes/dail2013110700010?opendocument#H00450
3. Sponsorship of Sport by Alcoholic Drinks Companies
The Government confirmed, as part of the 24th October announcement on the new alcohol policy, that the issue of alcohol sponsorship and sport was to be examined by a working group comprised of representatives from key government departments. The working group is due to report back within a year.
4. National Physical Activity Plan
As party of the Government’s “Healthy Ireland” Policy, the Department of Health and the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport are leading a working group to examine the development of a National Physical Activity Plan. The Federation of Irish Sport has been included in the working group along with the Irish Sports Council and representatives from the HSE, Department of Children & Youth Affairs, the City and County Managers Association as well as DCU’s Dr. Catherine Woods.
Nov 8, 2013
SWIM IRELAND AWARDED TOP PRIZE OF €25,000 BY COCA-COLA THANK YOU FUND
COCA-COLA AWARDS €125K TO ORGANISATIONS PROMOTING HEALTHY ACTIVE LIFESTYLES
Swim Ireland was today named as the overall winner of this year’s Coca-Cola Thank You Fund and was awarded a top prize of €25,000. Swim Ireland was one of eleven non-profit organisations promoting healthy and active living in Ireland and Northern Ireland to benefit from an overall annual Coca-Cola Thank You Fund of €125,000. FIS was present at the event which was attended by Michael Ring TD, Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, was held in the National Sports Campus.
This year FIS partnered with the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund, our third year of being involved with the fund. FIS members and sports clubs have benefited from the fund since its inception in 2011 with 1 NGB and 1 Sport Club (Special Olympics and Titans Basketball Club) winning prizes. In 2012 the top prize winner was the Irish Olympic Handball Association and two sport clubs also picked up prizes (Ballina Boxing Club and Ballyduff AFC). This year a total of 4 FIS members and one sports club were awarded prizes for the excellent projects, including the winner; Swim Ireland, The Camogie Association, Irish Hockey Association, Irish Basketball Association and also Monkstown Boxing Club.
The top prize of €25,000 will enable Swim Ireland make their ‘Swim for a Mile Challenge’ a reality. The winning initiative, to be launched in December this year, will challenge members of the public to compete in an- all Ireland event to swim a mile with Swim Ireland providing a training program, advice and motivation for all those wanting to take on the challenge.
Michael Ring TD, Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, said at the presentation: “Swim Ireland is a very deserving winner, its Swim for a Mile Challenge initiative will be encouraging those that have been out of the water for a while to dive back in. I would like to applaud Coca-Cola on this, the third year of their Coca-Cola Thank You Fund. It is a very real example of business working to promote healthy, active communities. The 11 organisations that will share in this generous fund will be making a significant difference in communities around the island of Ireland.”
“Thank you to the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund! This award will make our Swim for a Mile Challenge a reality,” said Sarah Keane, Chief Executive Officer of Swim Ireland. “The aim of the program is to promote swimming and its many health benefits. Swimming is such an inclusive sport – open to everyone, of any age and all fitness levels. We are thrilled to be rolling out this exciting project, and are so grateful to Coca-Cola for their support.”
“The funding awarded to each of the 11 winners will result in exciting, diverse initiatives designed to promote healthy, active lifestyles being realised across the island of Ireland. I would like to congratulate all of the entries on their creativity and passion, the calibre of the proposals received by Coca-Cola this year was very impressive. I would also like to thank Minister Ring for his continued support, and our panel of judges that had the onerous task of selecting a shortlist from over 300 entries,” said Ailish Forde, Director, Public Affairs and Communications Coca-Cola HBC Ireland.
The sucessful projects were chosen following a public vote on the shortlist, which accounted for 50% of the final score. A judging panel including Sarah O’Connor, Chief Executive, The Federation of Irish Sport; Deirdre Garvey, Chief Executive, The Wheel; James Laverty, NICVA; fitness expert Karl Henry; nutritionist Paula Mee, Fine Gael TD Eoghan Murphy and Erica Roseingrave , Public Affairs and Communications Manager, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland, awarded the remaining votes.
The ten other non-profit organisations which will each receive €10,000 from the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund to carry out projects promoting healthy and active living in Ireland and Northern Ireland were also named today. They are:
- Dundalk Simon Community – This project will involve a 20-week programme focused on fitness and well-being. It will run over 3 mornings a week and will focus on improving fitness levels and promoting healthy lifestyles amongst the users of Simon’s service in Dundalk.
- Europa Donna Ireland Limited – This project will encourage breast cancer survivors to take part in dragon boating, a fun, new sport. Such physical activity helps improve survival rates of people with a diagnosis of Breast Cancer and can help with certain symptoms. This project will be rolled out in multiple counties.
- Inkwell Youth Group – ‘Eat Well. Think Well. Be Well.’ promotes healthy lifestyles among Irish university students. Through an upgrade to the training kitchen, this project will be better able to give students the knowledge and skills to eat well on a budget. This is a Galway based initiative.
- Irish Basketball Association – Basketball Ireland’s National 3on3 Programme’ will be rolled out on a national basis throughout local area boards. The games will be tournament based and aimed at young men and women. Again this will reach multiple counties.
- Irish Hockey Association – H3 (Healthy Heart Hockey) is a physical well-being programme that celebrates the benefits of active lifestyles, providing nutritional education and an opportunity to attend a local fun game-based festival. Again this will reach multiple counties.
- Listowel Community Centre – This initiative will enhance mental resilience through active lifestyle coaching in secondary schools, focusing on transition year students in ten schools across the county for ten weeks aiming to permanently affect healthy and active lifestyle practices. This is Kerry based.
- Louisburgh HQ – The Louisburgh area has potential for 6 activity routes they want to promote and develop. These routes will be used for cycling and walking by locals and visitors to our area. The twin goals are to highlight the area’s natural beauty and engage more people in exercise.
- Monkstown Boxing Club – BoxClever’ will consist of a 40 week development programme in partnership with Monkstown Community High School to deliver a newly developed non-contact boxing and after schools programme for Year 8 & 9 pupils. This is based in Northern Ireland.
- The Camogie Association – The parents of camogie-playing girls (aged 12-14) will be encouraged to join their daughters and try out the sport through a 6 week programme that will include a focus on healthy eating. Again this has multiple county reach.
- The Prince’s Trust – This project is an individually tailored personal development programme combining one-to-one support and group activities delivered by a dedicated team aimed at the most marginalised and disengaged young people aged 16 to 25. This is Northern Ireland based.
More information about the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund is available at www.coca-cola.ie/thankyou.
