Best ever viewing figures for Ladies Football on TG4

Sep 30, 2013

Yesterday’s live coverage of the TG4 Ladies Football Finals 2013 from Croke Park saw TG4 get its highest viewing figures to date for the occasion.

Official figures provided by Nielsen report that 625,000 people tuned into TG4’s coverage during the afternoon, with 328,000 watching the exciting climax to the Senior final as Cork edged out Monaghan to win their 8^th TG4 Senior title in 9 years, a unique achievement in modern Irish sport.

This viewing made TG4 the highest watched channel in Ireland yesterday afternoon with a share of viewing double that of its nearest competitor.  It was also TG4’s highest ever viewership for this fixture, the 13^th year it has been shown on the channel.

Viewing for each of the three 2013 Finals broadcast was well up on the previous year.  Earlier in the afternoon Cavan won a hard-earned Intermediate final over Tipperary while Offaly came out on top over Wexford in the Junior decider.

Technical Note on Nielsen

• Official TAM Ireland figures are provided by Nielsen TAM.  All data collected is from in-home viewing and excludes viewing in pubs, clubs etc.
• All figures are Live + VOSDAL (viewing on the same day as live)

Contact: 

Rónán Ó Coisdealbha

TG4 SPORT
Tel:  087 2472841  /  091 505050

E:    sport@tg4.ie

W:   www.tg4.ie

www.twitter.com/sporttg4

Sport included in Global Irish Economic Forum

Sep 30, 2013

Sport is to be included in the third edition of the Global Irish Economic Forum taking place from 3rd -5th October 2013 in Dublin Castle. This is the first time that sport is to be included in the event.  There is to be a panel on sport on Saturday morning entitled “Promoting the interests of Ireland and its people abroad through Sport”.

The session is to be moderated by Ger Gilroy with the panel being comprised of Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring, Eugenie Buckley of Suiko Consulting (www.suikco.com.au), Paraic Duffy, GAA, Hugo MacNeill, Managing Director, Investment Banking, Goldman Sachs Ireland, Martin Naughton, President, Glen Dimplex and Kevin O’Brien, Cricket Ireland.

Sport’s ability to drive tourism, the hosting of international sports events in Ireland and sport’s use as a tool for  the development of relationship as well as its contribution to the enhancement of Ireland’s reputation abroad are all likely to feature in the discussion.

In recognition of the event, the Department of Tranpsort, Tourism & Sport are hosting a reception on Thursday 3rd October at 6pm in the National Concert Hall at which, Irish sporting representatives are to be present to meet with panel members to discuss some of the opportunities and challenges facing Irish Sport. This should allow for a more informed debate and discussion to take place at the Forum proper.

It is hoped that there will be solid outcome for sport from the discussion at the Sports Forum perhaps around the area of sports tourism. The Gathering is an example of an initiative to have been developed at a previous edition of the Global Irish Economic Forum.

More Information is available here: https://www.globalirishforum.ie/2013Programme.aspx

CARA Centre: Creating sporting opportunities for all… “Disability Inclusion Training” launched

Sep 30, 2013

Creating sporting opportunities for all…

 “Disability Inclusion Training” launched by Michael Ring TD 

Minster Michael Ring, TD, Minister of State for Transport, Tourism and Sport launched an innovative National Disability Inclusion Training course developed by the CARA Adapted Physical Activity Centre at the Institute of Technology, Tralee on the 27th September. The Course is designed to assist participants with the ideas and inspiration to adapt sports to make them more accessible for participants with a disability. It is both a theoretical and practical programme that covers terminology and barriers to participation; offers guidance; gives an introduction to disability sports and ways of adapting activities to make them inclusive.  The programme was developed in partnership with Cerebral Palsy Sports Ireland, Special Olympics Ireland, the Football Association of Ireland and Coaching Ireland.

At the launch, which takes place between two of the highlights of the Irish sporting calendar, Minster Ring was joined by the voice of Gaelic Games, Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, as well as a host of Irish athletes who took time out of their busy schedules to highlight that sport is for all regardless of ability.

Speaking at the launch, the Minister stated “As Minister of state for Tourism & Sport, I want everyone in Ireland to have a chance to get involved in sport, throughout their lives, and to get all the benefits and pleasure that sport brings. The CARA National Adapted Physical Activity Centre is leading the way by providing more opportunities for people with disabilities to take part in sport, physical activity and physical education.   CARA, along with Coaching Ireland, the Football Association of Ireland, Special Olympics Ireland and Cerebral Palsy Sport Ireland deserve great credit for all the wonderful work they have done in designing the Disability Inclusion Training workshop and I would like to thank them for all their efforts.”

The National Disability Inclusion Training programme is open to any person over the age of 16 who has an interest in increasing the participation levels of people with a disability in Sports, Exercise, Physical Activity or Physical Education.  Commenting at the launch Niamh Daffy, Manager of the CARA Centre said, “People with disabilities participate in sports and physical activity for all the same reasons as those who do not have a disability, however getting an opportunity and having an interest often depends on getting a positive early experience of sport and physical activity.

International research tells us that coaches and group leaders though interested and capable, in general, don’t feel very confident in including people with disabilities in their sessions. The main reason for this has been identified as not having practical experience or training in how to facilitate inclusive sports sessions. This course will help increase that experience”.

Stephen Gleeson, Managing Director of Hyundai Ireland who support the development of the course outlined what the partnership between CARA’s national disability inclusion training and Hyundai means to them, “Hyundai Ireland sees the value of staff training to ensure the inclusion of people with disabilities and all our dealers have now received basic disability awareness training from the CARA centre. Hyundai Ireland believes that sport is for all abilities and we are proud to support the Disability Inclusion Training (DIT) Course, the drive to increase provision is on!”

Preferred Print Supplier for FIS Members- Print Depot

Sep 30, 2013

Frank O’Donnell, Director,

We at are delighted with the announcement as the preferred supplier for print to the Federation and its members for the coming 3 years.

(www.printdepot.ie) has been a trusted print supplier to a host of small, medium and large Irish businesses since the company was established in 1990.

Over the intervening years we have broadened our product offering from conventional printing to being a full service communication partner to our clients, including point of sale material marketing collateral both general and specialised.

We can quite literally handle it all when it comes to conceiving, designing and producing high impact print material. Having printed the recent Federation Strategic Plan, Pre Budget Submission, Pull Ups, Infographic and letterheads we are confident that we can deliver for all NGBs when it comes to their printing needs.

are currently working with the Federation of Irish Sport, Tennis Ireland, Cerebral Palsy Sport Ireland and are very positive about adding to that list.

I am looking forward to contacting you and meeting you over the coming months and I am confident we can provide you with an excellent service in this area .

To get us off to a good start we are offering 15% discount on any orders received during October.

Call: Frank O’Donnell, 01-4568592/086-8294559

Or visit: www.printdepot.ie

FIS talks to Peter Banks, High Performance Director, Swim Ireland

Sep 30, 2013

After 30 years living and coaching in Florida Peter Banks took up the role of High Performance Director with Swim Ireland in 2009. Peter had been the Irish Swimming team’s Assistant Coach in 1988 Irish  Olympic Squad  and went on to coach Brook Bennett of the US to 3 gold’s at the Atlanta and Sydney Olympics before taking up his role with Swim Ireland four years ago.

FIS: It has been a really busy and successful year for your swimmers, what have been the highlights for you?

PB: Fiona Doyle winning a silver medal at the WUG has to be the highlight of the summer. The overall performances of the over 30 swimmers that competed in the various International events. The 4 swimmers that competed at the World Championship with 4 top 16 placings the best in over 20 years by Irish swimmers. Also the development of our younger swimmers showed in the results of our swimmers at the British Age group and youth Olympics.

FIS: What changes did you make or systems did you put in place when you first took up your role with Swim Ireland?

PB: I focused on a couple of areas,

1, Qualifying standards for International events

2, Fina A standards for Olympic Qualifying

3, putting together a National Youth program.

4, Developing the performance centres

5, coach education and mentoring

I think these 4 areas were the first steps of the program; we have continually updated these areas in the last 3 years and continue to grow the program to help develop a sustainable program. That will continue to deliver success over the years.

FIS: How long does it take for the success to start being seen on the podium?

PB: I believe that it takes at least 2 Olympic cycles (8 years) to see podium performances at the Olympic and World level.

FIS: With the new 50m pools in Dublin and Limerick, is it now possible for swimmers to train in Ireland and compete at the highest level?

PB: I think with the facilities we have in the country now, we have the ability to offer viable alternative to going abroad to swimmers With the level of coaching now available I believe we can compete with the best programs. We still have some work to do regarding linking into universities and are working hard on this.

FIS: What advice would you give to any young athlete hoping to make a career in high performance Swimming?

PB: I think swimming at the highest level of our sports requires a great deal of commitment and desire. I think any parent that has child that wants to peruse that option in this sport visit a performance centre and talk to the coach and understand how they can get involved. It is very rewarding if you achieve the international standards to represent your country at highest level. Through that journey you also develop skills that will stand to you for a life time.

FIS: Many thanks for taking the time to talk to us, finally what are Swim Ireland’s goals for the High Performance swimming system over the coming years?

PB: Our overall goal for this quadrant will be to a medal at Olympic or World Level and continue to have medallist’s at the European level

For more information on Swim Ireland, read here: www.swimireland.ie

Follow Peter Banks: @pbanks4583 @swimireland

Briefing to Oireachtas Members: If Jobs are a Priority Invest in Sport

Sep 25, 2013

The Oireachtas Briefing on the Federation’s pre-budget submission was the first time the Federation had an opportunity to brief a gathering of Ireland’s elected representatives inside Leinster House. We were delighted to get the the opportunity to outline some of the challenges facing Irish Sport as well as make what we believe is a compelling case for increased investment in Irish Sport. Almost 30 T.D.’s and Senators were represented either in person or by staff. Set out below is a transcript of CEO’s Sarah O’Connor’s presentation:

I would like to begin by providing a little background to the Federation. In advance of doing so I would like to acknowledge a number of the sporting CEOs present in particular those who serve on the Federation Board namely, Harry Hermon Irish Sailing, Sarah Keane, Swim Ireland, Liam Harbison, Paralympics Ireland, Thos McDermott, South County Dublin LSP, as well as our Chair, Sarah O’Shea, Legal Director with the FAI. Each of them have been instrumental in developing the document you have in your hands and I would like to acknowledge their contribution. It is indeed this coming together of sports big and small, commercial and voluntary that was crucial to the establishment of the Federation in 2002.  The desire to have one organisation that can speak and advise on issues common to all sporting organisations whatever their size or nature remains core to the Federation’s work today. Our key message is that sport is so much more than just the sporting activity itself. The impact sport has on people’s lives, the contribution to their health, the events and activities it generates in local communities and indeed, the employment and industries it supports is something all of you must be aware of from your constituency work. However, on a national level we feel that the full potential of sport has yet to be harnessed.

This can perhaps be attributed to the way in which, sport has been traditionally viewed. The truth is that impact of sport stretches well beyond the white lines of any pitch or the walls of any sports hall. Sport is serious business. Sport sustains 40,532 jobs in Ireland whilst contributing 2.4 billion or 1.4% of GDP. Sports clubs alone spend an estimated €818 million within the economy each year. It is estimated that 11% of our annual health spend is directly attributable to physical inactivity. The Finnish Government, who preside over the most physically active nation in Europe, recently issued guidelines to local government warning against cuts to sport services saying that the bill for increased inactivity would fall due with interest some years later. Sport plays a key role in tourism generating more than €850 million for Ireland each year. Sport is also a key player in domestic tourism with over 250,000 Irish people travelling within Ireland to attend sports events in 2012 staying 2 nights on average whilst doing so. The impact on community life in Ireland is also significant. Sport does all of this whilst generating a return of €149 on every €100 invested by Government – there can’t be too many areas of government spending delivering this rate of return on investment.

There has always been an interface between government and sport – what perhaps, is worth pointing out is that in Ireland’s case this is still relatively new. Our sports council is only up and running 15 years compared to in the UK where the equivalent organisations were set up in the early 70’s or in Australia where they have been in place since the early 1980’s. There is a commitment to sport within the Programme for Sport which we feel can only be enhanced by the proposal we are outlining here today.

Our next slide details (see full presentation below) government investment in sport since 2004. The graph clearly details the drop in investment levels since 2009 – investment has fallen by 33% from the 2008 peak with a 9% drop to date over the life of the current government. What this graph does not perhaps detail is that sport was an emerging sector when the recession hit and now following five years of reduced investment particularly, in the current as opposed to capital spending on sport – is on a knife edge. Further cuts in the current spend will send sport backwards fast.

Why? There is so much sport in Ireland that at times it feels like sport just happens. However, nothing could be further from the truth – sport needs to be planned, managed, delivered & above all financed. Funding for sport generally comes from the sources detailed on the slide above. It goes without saying that some of these revenue streams are more relevant to certain sporting organisations than others particularly, sponsorship, broadcasting and ticketing. However, government investment and indeed volunteerism which has an estimated economic value of more than €350 million each year is common to all.

Funding for sport is however under real pressure. The CEOs of even the biggest sports, all of whom are represented here today, will tell you that they have never operated in such a challenging sponsorship market. Amateur sport does not enjoy charitable status unlike in the UK and it is perhaps for this reason that there is no tradition of philanthropic giving to sport. Sport is a labour intensive industry – participants need to be coached, clubs need to be administered, matches refereed. Sport cannot be supported without people and yet volunteers are creaking under the burden of increased regulation and expectation not to mention the financial pressure many clubs find themselves in. NGBs are coming under increased pressure to provide additional supports in this regard. Sport is being hit from all angles – a recent example being the revised rates bill issued to both Croke Park and the Aviva which saw a dramatic increase in rates payable. This is despite the significant economic return delivered by both facilities to Dublin for example, it is estimated that the football activity alone in the Aviva generated a spend of approximately €29 million over the last year whilst the Ireland v England rugby match when held in Croke Park on its own generated a spend of €83 million. Sport too operates in an international environment the vagaries of which Irish Sporting Bodies sometimes have little control be it the reclassification of events at the Paralympic Games which if goes ahead as planned will impact on the number of medal opportunities available to some of our best athletes in Rio or the French and the English feeling they no longer want to partake in the Heineken Cup as it is currently formatted.

So what can be done? Sport is aware of the economic challenges facing Ireland. Irish Sport has never been resource rich and is dealing with the impact of the recession at the front line, much like you our elected representatives, on a daily basis. Our message today is clear however, if jobs are a priority then Irish Sport can deliver. For just €1 per citizen a fund of €4.58 million could be created which would create 150 jobs in Irish Sport immediately leaving €1.5 million for programme funding to allow these indigenous jobs become sustainable. There are currently 2000 graduates with sport specific qualifications emerging each year available and willing to take up such employment. When the tax payable on these salaries not to mention the VAT paid by the sporting bodies given that they are ineligible to claim VAT we estimate that the “real cost” to the State would be no more than 3 million. 150 jobs at approximately €25k per job compares very favourably to the costs per job detailed in recent stimulus packages.

There is European, international and domestic evidence indicating that this is achievable. A recent EU study on the contribution of sport to the European Economy found that sport supports jobs and can grow other areas of the economy. Indeed, sport contributes as much value to the European economy as agriculture, fisheries and forestry combined. Every 60th euro generated or earned in Europe is sports related.

If the jobs are supported Irish Sport has a strong track record in delivering on investment in terms of the jobs and programmes we are looking to be supported and at the same time delivering real benefit to Irish society. Be it in schools where for example the GAA delivered 46,000 hours of physical activity last year in Munster the equivalent of employing 62 PE teachers full time. Or programmes such as the FAI’s late night leagues where there is a 49% reduction in Garda Call out rates for the duration of the League. Not to mention the development programmes run by all sports – Swim Ireland issued 22,000 “Learn to Swim Certificates” to  children last year,  13 Donegal schools are now taking part in Ulster Development School League where there were none just a few years ago, 100% increase in Junior Membership of Triathlon Ireland in 2013, the 600 plus team competing in Volleyball Spike Ball programme which allows leaves transition year students in a position to run the programme with primary school children. In short this investment will create jobs, improve health and grow the economy……

And where can you help is by keeping sport on the political agenda, supporting us in raising awareness of the potential sport offers to Ireland, joining the Friends of Sport Group within the Oireachtas we will be establishing in the next few weeks and in particular, by seeking to avoid further reductions in the current investment in Irish sport as distributed through the sports council as well as supporting our call for the allocation of an additional €1 to go towards a job creation fund for Irish Sport….to assist sport whilst meeting real needs of the Irish economy at the same time.

On that note, I am of course happy to take any questions you may have in relation to our presentation and pre-budget submission. Many thanks for your attention.

Federation of Irish Sport- Pre Budget Briefing Presentation