Jul 24, 2013
There is just one week left for non-profits on the island of Ireland to apply to the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund, which is making €125,000 available in 11 separate grants this year.
The Fund will award one overall winner €25,000 and ten others €10,000 each for innovative community-based projects that encourage people to live more balanced, active and healthy lifestyles.
Applications must be made via the Coca-Cola website, www.coca-cola.ie/thankyou, before the 31st of July. More information about the fund is also available on the website.
Jul 19, 2013
Overview:
The UCD MSc in Sport and Exercise Management provides a high quality evidence-based programme for motivated individuals who are employed in or who are seeking careers in the sports industry. We are currently seeking “live” industry projects from sports organisations which students can complete during the MSc programme. Students mentored by academic staff and industry experts will produce project reports and presentations to the organisations as the outcome of this work. We believe this process will not only support the development of the students’ knowledge and skill base but will deliver a meaningful outcome for organisations in a cost neutral manner.
UCD MSc in Sport and Exercise Management:
The programme was established by the UCD Centre for Sports Studies in 2010. Graduates of the programme have established careers in the sports industry with organisations such as the Federation of Irish Sport, FAI, GAA, Leinster Rugby and Nike. The aim of the programme is to provide professional evidence-based education and training which produces effective sport managers / administrators to service the management levels of sport agencies in the public, voluntary and commercial/corporate sectors in Ireland and overseas. As part of the MSc, students undertake modules in key areas of sport management such as:
- Sport governance and law
- Sport marketing
- Sponsorship and event management
- Strategic planning and business enterprise
- Finance and human resources for sport.
Modules are delivered by academic and expert industry-based lecturers through the medium of case studies, group work, interactive simulation exercises all focusing upon industry-based issues.
“Live” Industry Projects:
To support this process, we would welcome projects in the above or related areas from National Governing Bodies or similar organisations which students could complete during the programme. For example, sample projects might include, the development of a marketing plan for new sports related initiative, the development of a bid document to host an event, the creation of a sponsorship proposal for a sports body / event, a review of governance practices across member clubs within a sport; or strategic analysis and planning for particular organisational issues.
We currently envisage that these projects would be completed in one of two ways:
- As an assignment which is completed during a related module such as Sports Marketing with the output being a report and presentation to the client organisation.
- As the students’ MSc Research Project, with the output being an extensive project report and presentation to the client organisation.
During completion of this work, students would be supported by industry experts and academic staff from the UCD Centre for Sports Studies
Benefits to the Organisation and to the Students:
The benefits for organisations include, the delivery of a high quality piece of work which may not be otherwise currently feasible for the organisation and supporting the development of potential future employees. The benefits for the students include experience with “live” industry relevant issues which further enhances their knowledge and skill base.
Further Information:
If you have any queries or would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact, Dr James Matthews, MSc Programme Director at 716 3449 or james.matthews@ucd.ie .
Jul 19, 2013
Anglers are worth about three-quarters of a billion to the economy, a new study has revealed.
A study into the value of people fishing on loughs, rivers and the coast has found that 406,000 people went fishing in Ireland last year and spent about 555 million euro.
When the wider spending and impact of recreational angling is added in, the sector is estimated to be worth 755 million euro to the overall economy.
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), which commissioned the study, said the figures showed that angling and recreational fishing supported about 10,000 jobs, mostly in rural areas.
Fergus O’ Dowd, junior minister responsible for natural resources, said the value of angling had been greatly under-estimated.
He said: “The results contained in this report are significant. Angling, as a recreational pursuit, is a major contributor to the fabric of Irish life in all parts of the country, particularly in rural and peripheral areas.
“It is equally clear to me that maintaining a strong focus on the protection and conservation of this vital resource into the future is absolutely key if we are to properly sustain and grow these benefits to anglers, angling businesses and the Irish economy.”
According to the report, by consultants Tourism Develop
ment International, the average spend on a fishing trip is 628 euro, not counting flights and ferries.
It said that on average the spend fell to 196 euro for an Irish angler travelling for a day or two to fish, and rose to 1,526 euro for someone coming from Britain and 2,114 euro for someone from mainland Europe.
Dr Ciaran Byrne, IFI chief executive, said: “Clearly fish stocks and fish habitat must be conserved, protected and developed. Angling businesses must be given every opportunity to win business and secure and grow the jobs within the sector.”
Read More Here
Angling Council of Ireland Website
Jul 18, 2013
At 1.30 on Wed 17th of July, Minister of Transport, Sport and Tourism Michael Ring officiated the Deaflympic Team Ireland An
nouncement.
Minister. Ring said that it was: “A pleasure and an honour to be here [Deaf village Ireland].”
The Team Announcement took place in Deaf Village Ireland and had a great turn out, with representatives from Deaf organisations and sporting organisations attending, along with Joe Costello TD.
Members of Team Ireland, team officials, managers and coaches were also present.
DSI would also like to thank our sponsors, Paul W Tracey Solicitors and Bridge Interpreting for their generous support and for coming along today to cheer on the team.
Excitement was high, as the athletes near the date of departure. The Men’s football team will 
be flying out next Monday (22nd of July), with the badminton players and Chef De Mission following them on Thursday (25th of July).
To see some pictures from the announcement, follow the link below:
Deaf Sports Ireland Facebook Page
There will be 36 people travelling to Bulgaria for the 2013 Deaflympics, including team officials and Ireland will be represented in two sports: Football and Badminton.
Read More Here
Jul 17, 2013
Allianz Ireland has extended its official sponsorship of Paralympics Ireland and in so doing, it has became the first official sponsor to support the organisation towards the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
Jason Smyth, Orla Barry and Darragh McDonald took time out from preparing for the IPC Athletics World Championships this weekend in Lyon and the Swimming World Championships in Montreal in August to be present at the announcement in Dublin.
The Allianz logo features on kit that will be worn b
y the 16 Paralympic athletes that will compete across both those world gatherings, the first major events since the transformational success of London 2012.
“Allianz are proud to renew its sponsorship of Paralympics Ireland as they embark on another Paralympic journey,” said Allianz CEO Brendan Murphy. ”The success of the 2012 Irish Paralympic Team was testament to the huge dedication, determination and professionalism of the athletes and support staff who represented our country on the world stage. It is a privilege and an honour for Allianz to play a role on the road to Rio.”
Murphy was present in London when Darragh McDonald, a fellow Wexford native won his Gold medal and Paralympics Ireland CEO Liam Harbison recalled seeing Murphy as part of a group of Irish fans clapping and cheering each stroke and clearly delighting in the shared experience of being there for London.
Indeed, speaking to Damien O’Neill, Allianz Group Head of Marketing, the partnership clearly means more to the company than a logo on a shirt.
“Insurance is about being there when things go wrong and the inspiration we draw from being involved with athletes that have refused to be defined by their disability is something that is very special to the company and to all of those who work here.”
Allianz has an international partnership with the Paralympic movement but Ireland is one of the small number of countries where that has extended to national teams as well.
“It is fantastic that Allianz Ireland have renewed their association with Paralympics Ireland,” added Harbison who will host the European Paralympic Congress in Dublin in October.
“Their passionate support played a key role in publicising the success of Irish athletes at London 2012 and we look forward to developing our dynamic partnership.”
“Their sponsorship of Setanta Sports Coverage of the games brought the heroic success of our athletes into 1.6 million Irish homes and that was critical in making sure the achievement gained the recognition it deserved.”
Allianz will help to drive awareness of the Paralympians through a number of initiatives to be rolled out over the coming years. Their other key sponsorships include the Allianz Leagues in Gaelic Games, the Cumman na mBunscoil movement in schools sport and the Allianz Business to Arts partnership.
Final word at the announcement went to Jason Smyth who said that “Allianz support is massive. It enables Paralympics Ireland to do what it does in enabling us to achieve what we can on a world stage for ourselves and for Ireland.”
Preparations begin for Rio 2016 at this summer’s IPC Athletics and Swimming World Championships. In the first major gatherings of international Paralympic athletes since the hugely successful London 2012 Paralympic Games, Irish medalists from both sports will look to be successful at these championships.
Read More Here (Sport For Business)
Read More Here (Paralympics Ireland)
Jul 12, 2013
British Cycling is looking to re-energise its Social Cycling Groups initiative by rebranding it and launching a new social media campaign to support it.
The online Social Cycling Groups scheme aims to improve grassroots participation by connecting cyclists to each other and enable them to create and join groups and rides in their own geographical areas. Launched in 2012, the social network has so far attracted 
around 19,000 people to sign up and British Cycling estimates that more then 2,500 bike rides have been organised using the website Go Sky Ride.
The Governing body has appointed marketing agency Ear to the Ground to devise the new brand and campaign for the service.
Ear to the Ground is currently undertaking a research project which will be used as a basis for a brand refresh and campaign that will be promoted across the major social media channels like Facebook, Twitter, Website and so on.
One year on since the launch of British Cycling’s Social Network, Social Cycling Groups has helped thousands of cyclists across the UK to get out on their bikes. Over 19,000 people have joined the network, forming over 500 ride groups, creating and taking part in 2,500 social bike rides. 
Now with the new website, they’ve changed a few things to make it easier for you to find people to ride with in your local area, can now message buddies directly to organise a bike ride, can create and join rides more quickly and easily and can get live updates on new rides, groups or buddies that are near you.
Emma Bates, British Cycling Social Cycling Officer, said that, ‘The new improvements make it even easier for people to chat online, organise rides and get out riding- which is what it’s all about!.’
They will also be sending out more regular updates to users to let them know whats happening on their profiles- including who wants to be your cycling buddy, and who’s invited you on a social next week.
In relation to Cycling Ireland, they created a new programme, Bike for Life, which makes cycling more accessible to everyone, regardless of age, gender or ability. This new move see’s Cycling Ireland engage with both the casual cyclist and the more avid peddler. It was launched on the 10th June 2013 and is a 10 week programme that hopefully will turn into a permanent thing.
The focus of the 10 week programme is on instilling confidence in cyclists by teaching them skills for all situations, while having a major
focus on fun and social interaction. Through meet and spin groups, led by a qualified cycling coach, cyclists will be brought through topics like nutrition and goal-setting, along with learning skills like group cycling on the road and bike maintenance.
One of the main aims of Bike for Life is to close the gender gap in cycling, where 85% of the Cycling Ireland membership is currently male. It also aims to communicate with all people who want to cycle more, but are unsure where to begin.
Sponsored by the HSE, “Get Ireland Active”, initiative, Bike for Life will be instrumental in developing a strong cycling culture in Ireland, where we are experiencing a cycling boom. Head of health promotion in the HSE, Nazih Eldin said, “Cycling is a non-weight bearing activity that is easy on your joints, making it an inclusive health enhancing physical activity.”
The Irish Sports Council, who also supports Bike for Life through their Women in Sport initiative, recently confirmed cycling as one of the 3 accessible means of physical activity, along with walking and swimming.
Read More Here (Social Cycling Groups, UK)
Read More Here (Bike for Life)
