Jul 31, 2013
It has been quite the summer of sport for our near neighbours in Britain finally, breaking the Wimbledon hoodoo, another victory in Le Tour not to mention a 2-0 lead in the Ashes over the once invincible Aussies.
Not a bad summer of sport for our athletes either, Graeme McDowell & Michael Hoey winning tournaments, Dan Martin in the Tour, Irish representatives in the Lions, the cricketers securing World Cup qualification, 4 swimmers ranked in the top 20 in the World for the first time, 5 world Paralympic athletic medals and that is before the great performances to date in the football and hurling Championships are digested.
Interesting so that this week Sir Chris Hoy, when launching the ticketing programme for next year’s Commonwealth Games, felt it was important to highlight the need for investment in sport to continue. Emphasising the need to support future athletes, Hoy said that whilst money does not buy medals it does provide a platform for them.
Hoy warns against the complacency that success can bring stating that it is often the tournaments or events where things go badly that traditionally have provoked change or increased investment in sporting structures. The Irish Government too could do well to take note of Hoy’s thoughts particularly, as they look to make decisions in the next few weeks as part of the budgetary process on the level of investment in Irish Sport for 2014.
On one hand, Irish Sport has never had it so good. Increased consistency in performance on the international stage across a number of different sports coupled with improved numbers in those participating in sport. The Irish Sports Council’s 2011 monitor found that rates of participation amongst the Irish population had increased from 34% to 46%.
On the other hand there is much yet to be done, with EU research finding recently that Irish primary schools rank as the worst in Europe when it comes to the provision of PE. Irish secondary schools were only slightly better in fourth from bottom. Obesity too represents a growing challenge with 61% of Irish adults and over 300,000 children being either overweight or obese. Not to mention the on-going issue of getting the 13% of the population that are sedentary active.
Neither participation nor performance should be taken for granted. We are surrounded by sport. It would be easy to assume that it will always be there. Nothing could be further from the truth. The reality is that almost all of Irish Sport is delivered by a volunteer workforce which is operating in an increasingly regulated environment. Standards have been raised and whilst, this is a positive development, it also highlights the reality that sport needs to be developed, managed, delivered and above all financed. Those working at grassroots need to be supported.
This year’s budget is crucial. The available government funding for sports bodies is already down 25% since 2008. Commercial revenue and in particular, sponsorship is difficult to obtain. Clubs and participants in sport are under financial pressure. Despite all of this sport has been one of the few things to sustain us over the last few years.
As well as contributing to improved public health, sustaining our communities or enhancing our reputation abroad, sport has that intangible ability to give us a bit of a lift. Sport has provided a different focus in the midst of our economic woes….….a forum in which just sometimes the impossible becomes possible. When it happens it is always worth the wait, just ask the Monaghan Gaelic football supporters!
€43.2 million was the amount made available to assist in the on-going development of Irish Sport in 2013 – that figure represents 0.0032% of the €13.6 billion spent on health, 0.0021% of the €20.246 billion spent on Social Protection and 0.0050% of the €8.5 billion spent on education, all Departments on which sport has a significant impact and in many cases has the potential to do even more.
There are many deserving causes in Ireland in 2013 but is €43 million really too difficult to find to assist in the safeguarding of sport? In addition to the reality that sport generates a return of €149 for every €100 invested, sport remains a force for good in our society which reaches into virtually every community in Ireland through its network of 12,000 clubs across 70 plus sports. There are few activities that reach such a significant proportion of Ireland’s population.
2.1 million Irish people actively participate in sport, enabled by a volunteer workforce of over 500,000 and supported and enjoyed by many more both home and abroad. Protecting this funding is not simply an investment in the present but also a foundation stone for the creation of a better Ireland in the future.
For those who would like to know more about just what sport delivers to Ireland, please click on the ‘Why Irish Sport Matters’ infographic
Read Chris Hoy article here
Jul 29, 2013
Following the launch of Arthur Guinness Projects®, a major new cultural initiative, designed to champion and celebrate talent and creativity in Ireland, hundreds of extraordinary people with inspiring and brilliant ideas from all across the country have uploaded projects onto www.arthurguinnessprojects.com and thousands more have shown support by voting for the favourite their projects. To check out the trending Sports projects click here www.arthurguinnessprojects.com/sport/trending
Projects can be submitted up until and on midnight 9th August 2013.
Although the closing date is the 9th August, the public can continue to vote for the projects that they would most like to see come to life during the application period and up until the 23rd August, 2013.
The Arthur Guinness Projects panel will then choose the top 10% of from the public vote in each of the 4 categories.
The sports panel is spearheaded by Donegal inter-county manager and sports consultant, Jim McGuinness alongside Sarah O’Connor, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport, Rob Harnett the CEO of Sport for Business & Matt Cooper broadcaster, journalist and author.
Together with a mentoring and promotional support programme, Arthur Guinness Projects will invest €3 million in people and their projects across Ireland over the next three years, with up to 20 projects benefitting annually.
To upload projects, vote for your favourite or to get inspiration from the current selection visit www.arthurguinnessprojects.com
Jul 26, 2013
TODAY, 24 IRISH athletes will board a plane bound for Durban in South Africa.
The air will be filled with a mix of emotions: excitement, nervousness, anticipation. But it will also hold a palpable sense of pride unique to these people, because they are the lucky ones: transplant recipients.
The athletes heading to the World Transplant Games will be proud of their own achievements, proud of their group bond, but proud too of the gift of life they received from some incredibly generous people.
The vast majority of those who handed them that gift – a kidney, a heart, a pancreas, a liver – were gone to another place by the time their body gave a stranger new life. But some, the living donors, will get to see the fruits of their gift in action.
The team are set to fly to Durban today for the international sporting event, after a reception attended by South African Ambassador to Ireland, HE Jeremiah Ndou.
Competition
Former Ireland international and premiership footballer Niall Quinn with the oldest Irish transplant athlete Charlie Ryan (68), and the youngest Oisin O’Gorman (12) in Dublin. Pic: Tony McLean/T. McLean Photography
The 19th World Transplant Games will take place from July 28 to August 4, and Ireland’s athletes will join hundreds of other transplant recipients to create a gathering of over 1000 athletes from 50 countries.
Ireland’s team ranges in age from 12 to 68, and includes 10 women, with the members coming from all over Ireland. They include seven living kidney transplant recipients.
Colin White, Team Manager for Transplant Team Ireland, told TheJournal.ie that “there is a huge sense of anticipation” about the games.
It’s kind of hard to put into words the atmosphere when you are at the opening ceremony, sitting surrounded by around 1000 transplant recipients from around the world and you realise all the people are here because of the generosity of someone else.
“These guys have gone up to the brink and looked over and because of a transplant they have been able to step back,” he said. “They know now to appreciate the simpler things in life.”
White emphasised that “when you get organ failure, if you get a transplant your life is not over – it’s just different”. This different life doesn’t mean that you can’t be an athlete, as these games show. “Don’t be fooled that the standard is low – the standard is very, very high,” assured White.
The games are also a way to show the donor families the role they played in the recipient’s life. “It’s highlighting that organ donation works. It’s giving somebody quality of life, not just keeping someone alive,” said White.
Team Ireland is a “great fraternity”, described White, a group bonded by shared experience and a love for sports. There have been marriages between members, and the friends are “there for each other 52 weeks a year”.
“Possibly the more beautiful thing we’ve had is members having children after transplants. Look at the gift of life they’ve received through their organ donation.”
There will be a constant focus on the medical side of things at the games, thanks to the volunteer team doctor but also the medical staff in South Africa. “We have to make sure everyone is healthy to do this,” said White, who will also be joined by a team physio.
Honouring their donor
There is a good mix of physical and skill-based sports, so even if someone is physically not so strong, there is a sport for them. There are some world record holders, but the focus is not just on the awards. White explained that for many, “the trip in itself is a huge statement to themselves, their family and the wider community”. It is a declaration of independence, of strength, and of grabbing new opportunities tightly.
“I have received the gift of life and I am going to use it,” is how White put it. Many of the participants tell him that taking part is a way of honouring their donor.
Even if the athletes win a gold medal, even if they break world records, it’s just one way of acknowledging the gift of donation. “Thank you seems such an insignificant phrase when you think of what you have received,” said White. “The medals are in some ways the icing on the cake.”
At medal ceremonies, he often sees winners, medals aloft, giving a glance skywards. It’s a nod to their donor, who, though departed, is still winning back home.
The Irish Kidney Association manages Transplant Team Ireland’s participation at the Games. If you would like to donate your organs, you can find more information right here.
Daily updates on Team Ireland can be found at www.transplantteamireland.ie
Read More Here
Jul 25, 2013
Background:
Triathlon Ireland is the National Governing Body for triathlon, aquathlon and duathlon across the island of Ireland and is affiliated to the International Triathlon Union and the European Triathlon Union.
The first triathlon in Ireland was held in Skerries in 1983 and was won by Ciaran ‘Ben’ Brady, an accomplished runner who was offered a scholarship to the University of Wyoming in America a year later.
The Irish Triathlon Association was founded a year later in 1984.
Membership:
Membership of Triathlon Ireland has seen huge growth over the past few years raising from 800 in 2005 to 7364 in 2012. 2013 looks to be another bumper year for triathlon with expected membership of over 8150.
Number of Clubs:
80 affiliated clubs.
Number of Particpating Schools:
We currently have no registered schools however this is an area we will be focusing on over the coming years as there is a huge demand for schools triathlon.
2012 Highlights:
The London Olympics was a big highlight for Triathlon Ireland with the qualificantion of Aileen Reid in the women’s race and Gavin Noble in the men’s race. It was the first time Ireland have qualified two triathletes and the first time a male Irish triathlete had reached the Olympic Games. It was also a great showcase of our sport with hundreds of thousands lining the streets of London and tuning in on TV to watch.
Westport teenage, Con Doherty put on a brilliant display at the Junior World Championships in Auckland and claimed a bronze medal. The result was a major boast for the Junior programme and showed that Ireland can win medals in triathlon and the quality of athlete coming through the system.
2012 also saw the first ever running of a Paratriathlon National Championships in Ireland. With Paratriathlons inclusion in the Rio 2016 Olympics this marked an important step in it’s development in Ireland.
Along with the elite and paratriathlon aspects the level of participation, member numbers and affiliated clubs also continued to rise and this was a highlight for the organisation. 2012 also saw clubs around the country establishing junior sections which lays the foundations for future growth in this area.
2013 Highlights (so far):
Highlights of the 2013 season so far included the return to elite racing in Ireland when Athlone hosted an ETU Junior European Cup. Triathlon Ireland’s National Junior Squad topped it off, with Con Doherty beating off the best of Europe to win the Junior Men’s race. Chris Mintern claimed silver while Emma Sharkey took bronze in the Junior Women’s race.
In the senior ranks Bryan Keane made a return to top level racing after a serious accident and secured Ireland’s first ever World Cup podium when he got silver in Japan.
From a commertial view point Triathlon Ireland are delighed to welcome on board a number of great sponsors. Europcar Ireland have been appointed as the Offical Vehical partner providing fleet support for the many events staff, coaches and athletes attend around the country. Newly established Irish concept clothing company, Shadow have come onboard as the Official Kit supplier. Triathlon Ireland now has a range of top quality kit and clothing available for both elite athletes and age groupers alike.
Good4U have also teamed up with Triathlon Ireland with their healthy snacks and products available at Vodafone National Series races around the country and finally you will find the National Junior Squad sporting the most highly regarded wetsuits on the market form Zone3.
What are the key events to look forward to in 2013?
On the domestic circut the upcoming National Championship events should be a great spectacle with the Kinetica Olympic Distance Championships taking place in the Phoenix Park, Dublin on the 25th of August.
Internationally Ireland will be represented at the ITU World Championships in London with a team of some 400 age group athletes competing. Elite triathletes Aileen Reid and Bryan Keane will be hoping to be on the start pontoon for the elite men’s and women’s race.
Key events calendar:
Kinetica National Sprint Championships Athlone 6th July
ETU Junior European Cup Athlone 7th July
National Aquathlon Championsips (Senior & Youth) Galway 20th July
Youth National Triathlon Championships Loughrea 4th August
Kinetica Olympic Distance National Championships Dlublin 25th August
ITU World Championships (Elite, Para & Age Group) London 11–15 Sept
Vodafone National Series Nationwide Weekly
How can people get involved in ?
If you’re interested in training for a triathlon get in touch with your local triathlon club and tap into the knowledge and experience they have. Club are very accommodating and welcoming of new members and hold training sessions on a regular basis for members of all abilities.
You can find a full list of clubs and sanctioned races on www.triathlonireland.com. If you are interested completing a triathlon or joining a club there is also information on the various membership options (Full, Student, Junior or Non Racing) on the Triathlon Ireland website.
Social Media Channel Links:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/triathlonireland
Twitter – https://twitter.com/tri_ireland
Youtube – http://www.youtube.com/user/triathlonirelandngb
Vimeo – https://vimeo.com/triathlonireland
Any interesting facts or statistics for inclusion in our Fact File:
70:30 male: female ratio
Largest Age Group 35-39yrs
Fastest growing Age Group U18’s
55 top 10 finishes at Continental Cup, World Cup & World Triathlon Series Races (Jan 2010 – June 2013)
170 sanctioned races around the country
Triathlon distances
Try-a-Tri/Super Sprint: 250m swim, 6km bike, 3km run
Sprint: 750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run
Standard/Olympic: 1500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run
Middle: 1900m swim, 90km bike, 21.1km run
Long: 3800m swim, 180km bike, 42.2km run
Aquathlon consists of a continuous, two-stage race involving swimming followed by running.
Duathlon is an athletic event that consists of a running leg, followed by a cycling leg and then another running leg.
Jul 25, 2013
Featured Event: 27th World University Games (7th – 17th July 2013)
Student Sport Ireland is the governing body for third level sport in Ireland and coordinates Irish student athlete participation at the World University Games.
About Student Sport Ireland: Student Sport Ireland (formerly CUSAI) is the governing body for third level sport on the island of Ireland. The organisation’s mission is to promote and develop third level sport in Ireland. Its vision is to work in partnership with national and international bodies identifying pathways for college communities to participate, compete and develop through sport and physical activity.
Student Sport Ireland sets out to meets its mission and 
vision through the coordination and implementation of key programmes ranging from increasing levels of physical activity amongst its student population (Partners in Participation programme), facilitating intercollegiate and national sports competitions (SSI Leagues and Intercollegiate Event of the Year Award) and high performance international events and competitions (World University Games, World University Championships, European University Games and the European University Championships).
Student Sport Ireland members include over 30 affiliated universities and colleges representing over 200,000 students on the island of Ireland. The organisation is housed at Irish Sport HQ in Blanchardstown, Dublin along with 18 other national governing bodies of sport.
The Event: The 27th World University Games.
Location: Kazan, Russia (800k east of Moscow)
Date: 7th – 17th July 2013
About the Event: The World University Games is an international sporting and cultural festival which is staged every two years in a different city. It is only second to the Olympic Games. The Summer Universiade consists of 10 compulsory sports with 13 compulsory disciplines and up to 3 optional sports chosen by the host country. The record figures are 10,622 participants in Shenzhen, China, in 2011 and 174 countries in Daegu, Korea, in 2003.
Embracing the motto of ‘Excellence in Mind and Body’, the World University Games incorporates educational and cultural aspects into 12 days of sports competitions, allowing university student-athletes from all over the world to celebrate with the host city in a true spirit of friendship and sportsmanship.
During the recent Kazan Games a total of 11,778 student athletes participated in 27 sports held in 64 sports venues with 351 sets of medals awarded.
Over 19,970 volunteers helped stage the 2013 World University with approximately 150,000 visitors.
The 2013 University Games were broadcast by more than 100 TV channels with the organisers indicating that more than 1 billion and 1.5 billion people watched the Opening and Closing Ceremonies respectively.
Team Ireland: A delegation of 83 travelled to participate at the University Games earlier this month. The delegation included 56 athletes, 16 team officials, 5 medical personnel, 3 administrative staff, one football referee and a photographer. The Team Ireland delegation was led by Head of Delegation Cathy Gallagher (Trinity College Dublin) and Assistant Head of Delegation Neasa Fahy O’Donnell (University of Limerick) who were attending their 6th and 3rd World University Games respectively.
Irish athletes competed in the 10m Air Rifle, Athletics, Gymnastics, Men’s Football, Rowing, Swimming and Women’s Football competitions.
Please follow this link to view the Team Ireland Delegation in full: 2013 World University Games Team Ireland.
How the Event Went:
Team Ireland enjoyed an extremely successful 2013 World University Games. Limerick swimmer and University of Calgary student Fiona Doyle secured a brilliant silver medal in the 100m Breaststroke and came within 0.01 seconds (it takes longer to blink) of a bronze medal in the 50m breaststroke.
Additional outstanding achievements at the Games included
- 5 new national senior swimming records – 4 by Andrew Meegan (University of Limerick) and 1 by Fiona Doyle;
- Qualification to the final of their respective events/disciplines by 11 athletes:
i. Amy Foster (University of Ulster) – 5th in the 100m final;
ii. Andrew Meegan (University of Limerick) – 7th in the 1500m freestyle;
iii. Brian Gregan (Dublin City University) – 5th in the 400m final;
iv. Chris Bryan (University of Limerick) – 7t
h in the 10k Open Water Swim;
v. Claire Tarplee (Loughborough University) – 8th in the 1500m;
vi. Fiona Doyle (University of Calgary) – 2nd in the 100m Breaststroke and 4th in the 50m Breaststroke;
vii. Jessie Barr (University of West England) – 6th in the 400m hurdles;
viii. Laura Reynolds (Dublin City University) – 6th in the 20k walk;
ix. Michelle Finn (University of Western Kentucky) – 7th in the 3k Steeplechase;
x. Monika Dukarska (IT Tralee) – 4th in the Women’s Single Sculls and
xi. Tomás Cotter (Wichita State University) – 10th in the 3k Steeplechase.
- Commendable 5th and 6th placing for our men’s and women’s football teams.
However undoubtedly the most successful aspect of the 2013 World University Games was the spirit of togetherness and one for all generated by Team Ireland during the games and which was so expertly fostered by Cathy Gallagher and Neasa Fahy O’Donnell as Head of Delegation and Assistant Head of Delegation respectively. The 82 members of Team Ireland have now gone their separate ways and while they will never again come together as one they share the brilliant memories of the Kazan World University Games.
To view a detailed breakdown of the Team Ireland results please follow this link: 2013 World University Games Results.
Finally to view a sample of photographs by Cathal Noonan (Inpho) please follow this link: 2013 World University Games Gallery.
What Next for Student Sport Ireland?
September sees the organisation implement an exciting pr
omotional campaign to introduce the new Student Sport Ireland brand, logo and web site to our affiliated members’ 200,000 or so students. The promotional campaign will reflect the new brand’s sense of energy and activity of student sport and lead to increased awareness of, and input to, the organisation and its work, in the coming months and years by students.
In October SSI coordinates the 2nd Annual Student Networking Event which provides third level student sports club administrators the opportunity to network with their peers and to receive valuable information, guide lines, best practice and tips on developing their club and organising student sports events.
Early November sees the return of the Student Sport Ireland Intercollegiate leagues across eight sports including badminton, hockey, karting, pool, men’s rugby, netball, volleyball and women’s rugby. The leagues run right through to the end of March with approximately 2,000 students participating across the eight sports.
For more information on Student Sport Ireland you can visit their website here
Jul 24, 2013
Waterford Sports Partnership was established in 2002
by the Irish Sports Council as part of the national network of Local Sports
Partnerships, to co-ordinate and promote the development of sport at
local level. Our main aim is to increase participation in sport and physical
activity especially amongst specific target groups and to ensure that local
resources are used to the best effect. Read More here
Not a bad summer of sport for our athletes either, Graeme McDowell & Michael Hoey winning tournaments, Dan Martin in the Tour, Irish representatives in the Lions, the cricketers securing World Cup qualification, 4 swimmers ranked in the top 20 in the World for the first time, 5 world Paralympic athletic medals and that is before the great performances to date in the football and hurling Championships are digested.
As well as contributing to improved public health, sustaining our communities or enhancing our reputation abroad, sport has that intangible ability to give us a bit of a lift. Sport has provided a different focus in the midst of our economic woes….….a forum in which just sometimes the impossible becomes possible. When it happens it is always worth the wait, just ask the Monaghan Gaelic football supporters!
