Mar 15, 2012
| Job Title: |
Sports Operations Manager |
| Division/Unit: |
Management Team, NSCDA (Operations) Ltd. |
| Reports to: |
Director of Operations |
| Status: |
3 Year Contract |
| Hire Date: |
March/April 2012 |
Principle Purpose and Duties:
Reporting to the Director of Operations, the Service Delivery Manager will provide a hands-on role in the successful delivery of the company’s sports, leisure and daily operations. The candidate will ensure that all of the company’s sports and leisure operations are delivered to the highest standards, in a safe and welcoming environment. This is a Service Delivery Role.
The candidate will work with the Sales & Marketing Manager, Head of Maintenance, Human Resources & Training and the Finance unit to make sure the company’s Sports Delivery Operations targets are met.
Key Job Responsibilities:
Lead and Manage the Operations Team. Directly manage the Duty Managers in the National Aquatic Centre and in Morton Stadium and any other sites associated with NSCDA (Operations) Limited.
Responsible for the day-to-day Sports Delivery of the Aquatic Centre and Morton Stadium.
Responsible for Customer and Staff safety at all times. First point of contact for any Health and Safety issue including Security, Fire and Customer Issues.
Develop and implement a business model for the overall growth and development of the Sports Delivery element of the company.
Ensure the operating procedures are in line with industry regulations and best practice.
Improve and develop operational systems that will help improve and drive the business forward.
Ensure that all necessary operational systems are in place to enable the business targets to be met.
Analyse and improve all existing policies, procedures, operational methods and development plans of all delivery aspects of the business.
Develop appropriate targets & KPI for the Sports Delivery of the Business including Performance Management and Staff Development.
Organise, develop and assist in the coaching and development of the Duty Managers and their teams.
Managing and directing staff briefings and staff training.
Customer Relationship Management. Taking responsibility for all Customer Related queries and incidents and ensuring efficient processes are in place to deal with all customer queries.
Assist the Sales and Marketing Team with relevant Marketing initiatives on both sites.
Coordination of management and staff rosters including forward planning for peak business times.
Drive the business in seeking National and International Operational recognition and awards.
Assist and insure the successful delivery of events hosted by the Centre and Morton Stadium.
Improve staff flexibility between departments by providing cross departmental training and development opportunities for both Managers and Staff.
Develop and Manage budgeting process at year end and throughout the year.
Direct and oversee supplier invoices/payments for all services relating to the operations budget.
Liaise with Governing Bodies of Sport in relation to events and planning of activities at the Campus (Swim Ireland, Athletics Ireland).
Liaison with all Department Heads on matters that affect the running of the Centre.
Experience:
A proven leader with 10 years’ experience in the Sports & Recreation Business.
Direct experience of both aquatics and athletics required.
Ability to work autonomously but also as part of a strong team member.
Understanding of financial management is desirable.
Proven record in achieving income and service delivery targets.
Sports Health and Safety Operations experience.
Strong Communication Skills and experience of Managing a large team is essential.
Financial Management and Public Procurement knowledge.
Senior Operations Management experience of a Large Sport & Recreational facility with both Wet & Dry training facilities.
Gym & Fitness Club experience.
An understanding of High Performance Delivery to Athletes.
Experience in Event Management and in particular Sporting Events.
Qualifications:
Degree or Post Graduate Qualification in a relevant discipline a distinct advantage.
Raymond Hoare,
Head of Human Resources,
NSCDA (Operations) Limited,
Abbotstown, Dublin 15.
Email: rayhoare@nac.ie
Closing Date: Wed 4th April 2012
To view the full advert click here
Mar 5, 2012
The ISA (Irish Sailing Association) 6th Annual Awards Ball was held on Saturday the 3rd of March in the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin where five nominees became winners of the five prestigious ISA Awards. Minister for Sport, Leo Varadkar was there to present the awards at the biggest social event of the year for the sailing, motorboating and windsurfing community.
One of Ireland’s Olympic sailors, Annalise Murphy, won the overall ISA Sailing Achievement of the Year award for 2011. She faced tough competition from the other three nominees, George Kenefick, Martin Byrne and Noelle Doran who all had found international glory throughout the year but ultimately it was Annalise’s tremendous successes in 2011 that clinched it for her. She firstly finished 4th at the Miami World Cup in January followed by a podium finish at Sail for Gold in Weymouth where she took home the bronze medal. She then travelled to Perth in December for the ISAF World Championships where she finished 6th overall and qualified Ireland for the 2012 Olympics.
Following in the footsteps of the elite athletes are a generation of incredibly talented youth sailors. The Young Sailor of the Year Award is a highly coveted accolade, one which was won by Tralee’s Sophie Browne. While we were all enjoying our Christmas dinner young Sophie was in New Zealand preparing for the Optimist World Championships. Sophie was determined to cap a great year off in style and that is exactly what she did. She finished 13th overall from 210 boats and picking up a Silver medal for 2nd Girl. It was this result that ultimately put her ahead of her fellow nominees, Patrick Crosbie, Peter McCann, Philip Doran and Seafra Guilfoyle.
The other winners included Michael McCarney from Co. Tipperary who won the ISA Volunteer of the Year award, Rachel Hoolahan from Greystones who won the ISA Instructor of the Year award and Rusheen Bay Windsurfing from Co. Galway took home the prize for ISA Training Centre of the Year.
The black-tie Awards Ball was a wonderful success with over 200 guests attending from all corners of the Irish boating community with RTE’s Fergal Keane acting as Master of Ceremonies for the evening. Also in attendance were two of the three Irish Paralympian sailors, John Twomey and Ian Costello. The team of three have already qualified for the 2012 Paralympics but John Twomey as this year he will be celebrating his 10th Paralympics. ISA President Niamh McCutcheon remarked “The ISA Awards Ball provides us with a platform to officially acknowledge and commend some of the outstanding contributors to our sports. I would like to congratulate all the awards nominees and award winners and wish John Twomey, our Paralympian sailor, the best of luck with his 10th Paralympics this summer”.
As watersports enthusiasts, ISA members are aware of the tremendous work the RNLI do each and every day. In order to support their tireless work the event also held a collection in aid of the RNLI which raised €875.
Mar 5, 2012
John Jackson Talks To Us Ahead Of The Electric Ireland FIH Road To London Olympic Qualifiers
Monday 5th March 2012
Retiring never entered John Jackson’s mind. A shattering blow could have placed his playing career in tatters, not to mention his dream of playing in the Olympic Games.
But throughout his convalescence, giving up the sport he loves never entered his mind, amazingly recovering not just to play again but also to now make a living in that very arena.
Eighteen months ago, a clash of heads at the pitch opening in Stormont in September 2010 left the Mossley man with a triple cheek-bone fracture and a double skull fracture. Furthermore, he was left with nerve and retinal damage which put his eye in serious jeopardy which left him without vision in his right eye for the best part of a month.
“That was a scary experience. Bones heal but the biggest issue was my eye; I couldn’t see out of it for three or four weeks and then had double-vision for another three weeks after that,” he explained.
Many would have feared this was a potential death knell for a promising international career but Jackson’s belief never wavered that he would return to the playing field, no matter the circumstances.
“I didn’t know if it would ever come back. But I always knew I would play again. There were a couple of weeks where I thought ‘I don’t know how I’ll play with one eye’.
“That was what was going through my head. The doctors sorted me out with a couple of metal plates and some plastic inserts and, if anything, the right side of my head is now stronger than my left!”
Such adversity often reveals character and Jackson is cherishing the opportunity to have his full range of vision available ahead with few lingering doubts despite the horror injury.
“I suppose anybody who has had an injury will be apprehensive going into a challenge but after a while you get on with it.”
In time, his vision came back with the defender particularly thankful to the work at Ulster Hospital in Dundonald as well as the support “not just of my family but this Irish team. Well-wishers, texts and visitors helped me get back on course”.
He is more than back on course, now. A sterling 2011 yielded the offer of a professional playing career in the game with Braxgata in Belgium, an opportunity he relishes, allowing him to play as a full-time athlete for the first time in his career.
And the experience has had a huge knock-on impact on the Irish team when they returned to camp after four months apart.
“Life in Belgium is fantastic, something I wish I had of done sooner. Circumstances maybe didn’t allow me to do that. I’ve taken the opportunity in an Olympic year so I can focus on training and my hockey because that has to take priority.
“It’s a different culture, a different lifestyle but one that is going to set me up not just next year but in future life as well – as a coach, as a hockey enthusiast; it’s an experience I’ll take with me.
“The past few weeks with Ireland have been like a club season rolled into seven weeks. It’s a lot more intense obviously because you need to cram in as much as you can into the time you have.
“Guys have responded well; gone away with their respective clubs whether it be in Ireland or abroad and come back looking physically sharp. Everyone has improved their strength and conditioning scores from last year and that just shows everyone is pushing hard and realise what their dream is and are going to do everything that it takes to get it.”
Pursuing that dream at this week’s Olympic qualifiers, Jackson believes the side is in superb shape to break new ground and make it to London 2012.
“It’s not just been on the radar since the Europeans. For the past three or four years since being involved with Revs [Paul Revington], that’s always been our number one target.
“There is going to be life after these qualifiers and challenges after that – the Champions Challenge and the European ‘A’ division where we’ll see if we can better our last position.
“It’s a fantastic coup to get the Electric Ireland Road To London qualifiers here and we’re looking to qualify for the Olympics but also going so much further. After qualifying for one event, you want to make two, three, four or five events. Excited [about the qualifiers] but also excited about the prospect of the next few years of international hockey not just the next two weeks.
“As Revs said at the end of our training session, if the qualifier were to start tomorrow, he thinks we are in a fantastic place and I agree with him. Guys are looking physically sharp even though there might be a few niggles. We’re absolutely in the right place and we’re in business.”
Written by Stephen Findlater on behalf of the Irish Hockey Association
Mar 2, 2012
Badminton Ireland is the national governing body for badminton in Ireland. As a governing sporting body, it promotes, regulates and delivers educational and participation services to members throughout Ireland.
The Membership Services Administrator has an essential role in ensuring the smooth running of Badminton Ireland. In addition to excellent administration skills, the administrator will be familiar with the amateur sports arena and will show interest, dedication and enthusiasm in the continuing professionalization and development of the sport of badminton in Ireland.
Send completed application form and CV to rvaughan@badmintonireland.com
Closing Date of application: Noon, Monday 2nd April.
For full details click here.
Feb 29, 2012
IRELAND’S women cricketers are to get a brand new squad structure as they push towards the goal of becoming one of the best seven teams in the world.
Designed to closely mirror the men’s set-up, the new framework will demonstrate a clear pathway from Provincial Age Groups into the Senior National Team while also giving key indicators for players, coaches and selectors to aid development and selection.
The idea is to give young players a clearly recognised path to follow from when they first pick up a cricket bat all the way through to the national team.
Ireland captain Isobel Joyce can see nothing but good coming from the streamlining. She said: “It’s very exciting to see the new structure coming together. Younger girls now have a clear goal at an earlier age and I hope this will help to keep them in the game and excited about the opportunities they have within cricket.
“It’s also very important for the more experienced players to know those players are coming up behind them so they continue to push themselves.”
Cricket Ireland Performance Director Richard Holdsworth said “In previous years the women’s pathway has seen a variety of routes to Senior International level through teams such as A-team, Development, and Academy.
“By clearly identifying who are our established, high potential and developing international players, we can streamline that journey and make the player development programme within it much more targeted and specific to the needs of each player.”
The Pathway that Cricket Ireland has laid out incorporates three phases:
Senior: Established international players with a high degree of understanding of their own skill sets who will benefit from specific development in key areas to ensure regular high class performance.
Performance: High potential players who require further development of core skills but have previously represented Ireland and Province at senior and age group levels.
Emerging Player Programme: Players aged from 13 to 17 years who have demonstrated good performance
at or above their own age group and exhibit and a dedication and ambition to perform at the highest level.
The new structure will come into immediate effect as preparations continue for what is expected to be the busiest season ever for Irish women’s cricket.
Their fixtures will include competing in an enhanced ECB County Championship (with a minimum of eight games – up from four in 2011), the ECB T20 Cup, several T20 Internationals against full members to be played in the UK, and an ODI and T20 International series in Ireland. All confirmed fixtures will be announced in due course.
Holdsworth added: “Senior women’s coach Jeremy Bray will head up the senior programme, while part-time women’s performance coach Nigel Pyne leads the performance and emerging players programme with Jeremy assisting.
“Both coaches have huge experience and I am confident these programmes will give the players a great opportunity to improve and allow the Ireland women’s team to reach their target of seventh in the global rankings by 2015.”
Feb 29, 2012
Assistant Head of Delegation.
The Colleges and Universities Sports Association of Ireland (CUSAI) seek to appoint an Assistant Head of Delegation to the Irish team that will attend the 2013 World University Games (Summer Universiade) in Kazan, Russia from the 6th – 17th July, 2013.
- 1. General Brief:
CUSAI seeks a highly professional, qualified and experienced person to undertake the role of Assistant Head of Delegation in respect of the 2013 WUGs.
The Assistant Coach will be expected, and required, to support the Head of Delegation in undertaking and delivering, but not limited to, the duties outlined below. In addition the Assistant Head of Delegation (AHoD) will also be required to take full responsibility for the implementation of specific actions as identified by the Head of Delegation (HoD).
The successful candidate will support the HoD in:
- Preparing the Irish delegation (‘Team Ireland’) for the 27th World University Games (‘WUG’) in Kazan, Russia (6th – 13th July 2013);
- Engendering and fostering an environment of excellence within the Team Ireland delegation both during and in the lead up to the WUGs, including planning and administration activities which enhances the opportunity for Team Ireland athletes to excel;
- Creating a vibrant, athlete‐focused culture;
- Being a confident, committed leader operating in an intense environment both in the lead up to and during the WUGs;
- Taking responsibility for the conduct of Team Ireland during the Games.
- 2. Reporting to: Head of Delegation.
- 3. Job Description (but not limited to):
Pre Games: The successful candidate will support the HoD in the undertaking of the following duties. In some instances the AHoD may be delegated by the HOD to take full responsibility for the undertaking of specific duties.
- Assist in coordinating the planning process during the lead up to the WUGs including:
- The production of relevant timelines and work plans;
- The appointment of support team including Medical, Administrative and PR team;
- Liaising with Russian Embassy representatives in relation to all visa requirements for delegation members;
- The development of a logistics and travel plan;
- The coordinating the sourcing and ordering of leisurewear and competition clothing;
- The implementation of a WUG’s communication strategy;
- Adhering to the 2013 WUGs budget and addressing funding issues in liaison with the CUSIA office, NGB, Irish Sports Council, Institute of Sport, and Sport Northern Ireland;
- Where required liaise with NGB high performance managers (or equivalent personnel) regarding selection criteria, funding, athlete selections and the appointment of officials;
- Maintain effective communications channels with athletes, officials, NGBs and the CUSAI Office;
- Ensure that all members of the delegation carry out their duties and responsibilities as prescribed;
- Act as a spokesperson for Team Ireland, both prior to and during the Games;
- Enforce CUSAI policy: this includes having a role in handling any positive doping violation during the Games;
On Site: Duties may include:
- Adhering to proper protocol with dignitaries, presenting gifts on behalf of the Team Ireland;
- Attending daily Chef’s meetings called by the Host Organizing Committee;
- Overseeing the accrediting of Team Ireland delegation members;
- Chairing of daily team meetings with medical, administrative and PR staff as required;
- Assisting in the administration of disciplinary cases;
- Coordinating participation in the flag raising ceremonies;
- Support the HoD in team building and morale raising exercises and
- Assist media personnel with the gathering of results of Team Ireland athletes.
- 3. Person Specification:
Ideally the appointee:
- Is experienced in the management of national sporting teams and capable of discharging the duties of the Assistant Head of Delegation;
- Understands management principles and their application to managing a national sporting team;
- Demonstrates a clear understanding of the issues relating to managing a International multi‐sports team;
- Has demonstrated the capacity to plan and implement activities, to co‐ordinate people and resources, and to maintain appropriate monitoring and controls;
- Has the interpersonal and management skills to successfully motivate and direct others;
- Works effectively with all people and shows initiative in making decisions and taking action;
- Demonstrates strong written and verbal communication skills:
- Competent in dealing with high‐ranking representatives and officials, fellow sports officials, diplomatic officers and business leaders;
- Maintains personal control and quality standards when faced with long hours of work and changing demands:
- Shows enthusiasm and preparedness to put athlete performance before other considerations;
- Available to travel to the 2013 WUG in Kazan and attend all Team Ireland WUG meetings in Dublin;
- Demonstrates a good general working knowledge of sport, FISU rules and procedures, in order to support the individual sports athletes and officials through their respective administrative and technical requirements at the WUG’s;
- Understands the various roles and support needs of performance managers, coaches and athletes in order to perform at their best in competition;
- It is desired (but not essential) that the successful candidate has experience of, and has previously engaged, with CUSAI and/ or the tertiary sports sector.
- 4. Remuneration:
This is an honorary position – no salary or honorarium will be paid to the postholder.
- 5. Tenure of Post.
The appointment will be for an initial term of one World University Summer Games (Kazan 2013) and will conclude at the end of the 2013 World University Games.
- 6. Application Process.
Nominations for the position of Assistant Head of Delegation are now sought.
Please complete a nomination form accompanied with a covering letter and forward to the CUSAI Office in confidence at Sport HQ, 13 Joyce Way, Parkwest, Dublin 12 or via email address to ciaran@cusai.ie.
The form must be countersigned by a representative of one of the following organisations:
- CUSAI Member Institutions;
- National Governing Body for Sport (ROI / NI) ;
- Irish Student Sport Governing Body
The deadline for receipt of applications is 12 noon Friday, 16th March, 2012.
Click here for further details or download the application form here
