The Federation of Irish Sport launch the 2023 Irish Sport Industry Awards, in association with Financial Broker

Apr 18, 2023

The Federation of Irish Sport today launched the 2023 Irish Sport Industry Awards in association with Financial Broker. The awards ceremony will be held on Thursday 25^th May in The Westin Hotel’s historic Banking Hall.

The Federation is very pleased to welcome Financial Broker – the consumer financial brand of Brokers Ireland as the official sponsor of the 2023 Irish Sport Industry Awards. The awards celebrate and reward excellence in the business of sport, while simultaneously highlighting the contribution of sport to the Irish economy. This will be the sixth staging of the awards which recognise the invaluable relationship between business and sport in Ireland. The Sport industry in Ireland supports 64,000 jobs, stimulates €3.3 billion in household spending, and generates €3.7 billion (GVA) gross value added to the Irish economy.

Mary O’Connor, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport said: “I’m delighted to launch the call for entries from next Monday and to announce Financial Broker as the official sponsor of these prestigious awards. I would like to thank them for their support in recognising the valuable link sport plays to the economy. Through these awards and variety of categories we recognise the value that sport adds to the Irish economy across the sporting landscape. According to Sport Ireland research the sport economy has grown faster than the economy as a whole over the past 10 years. We are looking forward to building on the success of the 2022 awards and celebrating the return to sporting activity post-pandemic and looking towards the future of the sports sector.”

Brokers Ireland is delighted to announce the new partnership collaboration between Financial Broker, and the 2023 Irish Sport Industry Awards.

Commenting on the partnership with Financial Broker, Liam Carberry, President of Brokers Ireland, said: “We are proud to collaborate with the Federation of Irish Sport on their prestigious annual Irish Sport Industry Awards which recognises the value that the sports sector contributes to Irish society, in addition to the work being done by National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships within communities across the country” stated Liam.

‘’There are synergies between the Federation of Irish Sport which is the voice for Irish sport and endorses the value, well-being, and positive attributes that sports participation offers, and the Financial Broker brand which provides consumers with a more confident and holistic approach to financial guidance. Studies have shown that proactive financial planning can help to build a more secure financial foundation which can lead to a happier, healthier life’’ said Liam.

Entries are now open for submission, for a full list of categories, event updates and to enter the awards go to: www.irishsportindustryawards.ie. Closing date for entries is Thursday 4^th May.

Pictured above in attendance at the launch of the awards: from left are, Liam Carberry, President of Financial Broker, Rachel McGovern Director Financial Services at Financial Broker, Mary O’Connor, CEO Federation of Irish Sport and Rob Hartnett, CEO Sport for Business and Chair of the Judging Panel for the Irish Sport Industry Awards.

About the Irish Sport Industry Awards

The award categories celebrate Best Sports Businesses (new and existing) the Jimmy Magee Award for Best Sports Coverage of the Year, leading governing body and local sports partnership initiatives, Best Sports Sponsorship, Best Inclusivity initiative, Best promotion of Women in Sport, Best Use of Communications platforms, and the Outstanding Achievement Award.

The entries will be judged by an esteemed judging panel comprising of media, PR, and independent sports industry experts and Chaired by Sport for Business founder and CEO Rob Hartnett. The Jimmy Magee FIS/ASJI Award for Sports Coverage of the Year will be independently adjudicated by the Association of Sports’ Journalists Ireland (ASJI), ASJI President Paul Lennon and include Kelli O’Keeffe MD Teneo, Sport and Sponsorship and Sarah O’Connor Deputy CEO of Wilson Hartnell as panellists.

About the Federation of Irish Sport

Established in 2002, the Federation of Irish Sport is the representative organisation for the National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) and Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) in Ireland. The Federation’s membership consists of over 110 members comprising of 81 NGBs and 29 LSPs, representing over 12,000 sports clubs nationwide. The role of the Federation is to speak on behalf of its members and represent their views to the public, while also providing them with a range of services.

About Brokers Ireland /Financial Broker

Brokers Ireland is the leading representative body for Brokers with a combined strength of over 1,250 firms representing both general insurance and financial brokers throughout Ireland. Financial Broker firms advise consumers on financial service products and services including pensions; protection; savings; investment and mortgage products. Financial Brokers are experts on financial planning matters and provide a wide choice of products and providers from across the market. See www.financialbroker.ie for further information on the Financial Broker brand offering.

Federation of Irish Sport proudly support Ballyfermot Training Centre New Sports Industry Traineeship

Mar 28, 2023

A new Sports Industry Traineeship was officially launched by Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne T.D. This traineeship is a collaboration between Ballyfermot Training Centre and the Federation of Irish Sport through a shared vision of supplying qualified and experienced workers to the sports industry.

Ballyfermot Training Centre has a long history of training in the area of sports and recreation. Pre Covid over 64,000 people were employed in the sports industry accounting for nearly 3% of the labour market. Since covid and the reopening of industry, a need for the supply of qualified sports workers arose and presented an opportunity for the Centre to develop a traineeship to meet the skills shortage. Through a number of focus groups, key skills for the sports industry were identified and the course was modelled to deliver those skills through on the job and off the job training.

A traineeship gives those on the course the opportunity to be placed with an industry partner for a minimum of 10 weeks, developing essential skills, and building relationships within the organisation. This model of traineeship in Ballyfermot Training Centre has seen 95% of trainees secure full time work with their host companies.

The course will launch in April 2023 and registration for those interested in the course is now open. Those who succeed in securing a place and completing the course will gain QQI and industry relevant certification that is recognised throughout the world.

City of Dublin ETB is looking forward to working with their new partners to successfully train and prepare their learners for a career in the sports industry. Further information can be found on www.ballyfermottrainingcentre.ie

Speaking about the Traineeship, Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne T.D., said: “Collaboration between further education training centres and industry can ensure that skilled and enthusiastic workers enter the labour market with fit for purpose skills and a foundation of relevant work experience. Gaining qualifications is central to longevity in employment and this is excellently showcased in this new and exciting Sports Industry Traineeship. I am delighted to note that the traineeship will have its first intake of students in April 2023 and I am confident that the sports industry will positively benefit from this collaboration.”

Caroline Duggan, Assistant Manager of Ballyfermot Training Centre, said of the course:

This traineeship marks an important milestone for Ballyfermot Training Centre, ensuring that sport in Ireland, and in particular the greater Dublin Area, will benefit from the skilled trainees that learn their trade in our centre. Working closely with Mary O’Connor, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport,

has allowed us to engage with a network of sports industry bodies and organisations, enabling the course to be developed to meet the varied needs in all areas of the sports industry, from sports development to facility operations. Sport is such an important vehicle in building communities. Our Training Centre, as part of City of Dublin ETB, value our relationships with both community and industry, and we look forward to working with the Federation of Irish Sport, Ireland Active, CARA, and the numerous NGB’s to ensure that we continue to grow and develop opportunities for those interested in working in the sport sector to enhance the sporting and physical activity opportunities for all.

Mary O Connor CEO, Federation of Irish Sport

The traineeship is another important development for the sport industry in Ireland.  The value of skilled trainees coming in to the sector builds capacity and creates opportunities for more people to participate in sport and physical activity, while ensuring that the sector also can ensure expertise and a diverse skillset in the workplace. The federation of Irish sport are delighted to work with Ballyfermot training centre on this innovative and forward thinking traineeship.

VOLUNTEERS IN SPORT FROM ALL 32 COUNTIES CELEBRATED AT THE 2022 VOLUNTEERS IN SPORT AWARDS

Mar 23, 2023

The Federation of Irish Sport celebrated the winners of the 2022 Volunteers in Sport Awards proudly supported by the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships at a luncheon awards ceremony at The Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown. The special guest speaker at the awards Thomas Byrne, Minister of State with responsibility for Sport & Physical Education, presented the recipients from each county with a custom-made medal recognising their amazing dedication to volunteering across a variety of different sports. In addressing the gathering he said “….Volunteering is the backbone of sport in this country. From the grassroots to the board room we need volunteers, we depend on volunteers.”

In addition to the 32 county award winners, the overall Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to Aislinn Nugent of Valleymount LGFA from Co. Wicklow in special recognition of her promotion of inclusivity, community spirit, health and well-being through Sport in the community for over 20 years.

The Volunteers in Sport Awards celebrate the contributions of the band of volunteers across the country who give their time to Irish sport and physical activity every year. This equates to approximately 37.3 million hours of volunteering across Ireland’s 13,000 registered sports clubs and associations and, according to Sport Ireland’s 2021 ‘Researching the Value of Sport in Ireland’ report, is worth an estimated €1.5bn to the exchequer.

#DedicatedToTheDedicated

For more information on the awards, visit our awards website: http://www.volunteersinsport.ie

Full list of winners for the 2022 Federation of Irish Sport Volunteer in Sport awards proudly supported by the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships

WINNERS ANNOUNCED! VOLUNTEERS FROM ALL 32 COUNTIES TO BE HONOURED AT THE 2022 FEDERATION OF IRISH SPORT VOLUNTEERS IN SPORT AWARDS

Mar 13, 2023

The awards ceremony will take place at The Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown on 22nd March 2023

The Federation of Irish Sport has today announced the winners of the 2022 Volunteers in Sport Awards proudly supported by the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships. The special guest speaker at the awards is Thomas Byrne, Minister of State with responsibility for Sport & Physical Education, which will take place on 22nd March at The Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown and will see volunteers from all 32 counties honoured for their amazing dedication to volunteering across a variety of different sports.

 The Volunteers in Sport Awards celebrate the contributions of the band of volunteers across the country who give their time to Irish sport and physical activity every year. This equates to approximately 37.3 million hours of volunteering across Ireland’s 13,000 registered sports clubs and associations and, according to Sport Ireland’s 2021 ‘Researching the Value of Sport in Ireland’ report, is worth an estimated €1.5bn to the exchequer.

Throughout December and early 2023 members of the public, sports clubs and governing bodies were invited to nominate an individual whose contribution to sport and physical activity in Ireland has made a real difference to their community, club, or county. Following a shortlisting process by the Selection Committee, the judging panel consisting of 9 individuals drawn from sports administration, academia, the volunteer community and media, and included former Director General of the GAA, Paraic Duffy, RTÉ Sports Broadcaster, Marie Crowe, Roddy Guiney, Chair WHPR and Clare McGrath, Chairperson of the Federation of Irish Sport.

In addition to the 32 county-level award winners, an overall Outstanding Achievement Award will be revealed at the awards celebration on the 22nd  March.

Commenting on the awards, Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne TD said:

“The volunteers being recognised today deserve enormous credit. Their work, often unseen and undertaken without any fuss or fanfare, makes sport a reality for hundreds if not thousands of people in their communities. In particular, the work of volunteers enables young people to play the sport that they love, to meet their friends and form lasting friendships. In so many ways, volunteers are the lifeblood of sport in this country, and I am privileged to have this opportunity to publicly acknowledge their vital contribution to Irish sport.”

 Speaking about the importance of the awards, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport, Mary O’Connor said:

“In every county throughout the country, clubs and sporting organisations facilitate multi-generational opportunities for people to be involved in sport and physically activity. The work and goodwill of sport volunteers across the country cannot be taken for granted… Every week in Ireland more than 450,000 volunteers bring sport and physical activity to life for our communities and it’s time we afford their hard work the recognition it deserves. It is therefore important that we showcase the size and scale of this contribution by bringing such volunteers together today at the Volunteers in Sport Awards with attendees from every county in the country to shine a spotlight on the positive work they do for sport and physical activity.”

CEO Sport Ireland, Dr. Una May commented: “I would like to congratulate all the winners at the Volunteers in Sport Awards. Sport Ireland and its network of Local Sports Partnerships are delighted to recognise the invaluable contribution of volunteers to the promotion of sport and physical activity in Ireland. The LSPs collaborate with and depend on the remarkable dedication of volunteers to create opportunities for all members of the community to participate in sport and physical activity. This ensures a culture where sport and physical activity is inclusive and accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or abilities. We are grateful for the inspiring efforts of the volunteers being celebrated today, and all volunteers across the country, who help us achieve this.”

 Head of Louth Sports Partnership, Graham Russell said:

”As the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships, we are each individually committed to supporting volunteers in our local Clubs, sporting organisations and other non-sporting groups that assist in making opportunities available within their own communities for people to enjoy all forms of physically activity. We are privileged to see, first hand, the amazing work these people do, and we are all delighted to see these local volunteers getting recognition at National level.”

Full list of winners for the 2022 Federation of Irish Sport Volunteer in Sport awards proudly supported by the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships

2023 Annual Leaders Forum: ‘Leadership in Sport and the Road Ahead’

Mar 1, 2023

We were delighted to welcome Minister for Sport & Physical Education Thomas Byrne TD and Department Representatives to speak at our Annual Leaders Forum this morning. There was a packed room of NGB CEO’s, LSP Managers and Volunteer Leaders in Sport as well as online Member Leaders zooming in from all across the country. The Department gave an in-depth review and update on the National Sports Policy Plan.

The Federation CEO Mary O’Connor gave an overview of the work of the Federation relating to taxation reform, Alliance for Insurance Reform, the upcoming Volunteers in Sport Awards, the Irish Sport Industry Awards and preparations for Budget 2024. Also speaking at the event was HR Specialist Una Clifford of HR Nua who discussed leadership in sport and challenges facing CEOs.

FEDERATION OF IRISH SPORT WELCOMES CONTINUED GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT IN THE SPORTS SECTOR

Feb 14, 2023

National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships to receive total of €26m in Core Funding Allocations

14^th February 2023: The Federation of Irish Sport welcomes the announcement made today on the continued investment in the sports sector by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts Gaeltacht, Sport and Media through Sport Ireland. There is an increase of 6% in National Governing Body investment with a total Core Funding level of €16m. While the Local Sports Partnerships have received €10.3 million in investment.

The Federation has continually advocated to Government for continuous support to the sector to enable it to deliver its important work across the island of Ireland from grassroot community sport to high performance. The resilience and vibrancy of the sector post Covid is a testament to the professional staff and volunteers in sport and physical activity. This support of the sector is essential to achieve the National Sport Policy goals. The sport and physical activity sector in Ireland is worth €3.7bn GVA to the Irish economy and employs circa 64,000.

For full details of the Core Funding allocations go to: https://www.sportireland.ie/news/eu26m-core-grant-investment-package-for-2023-2

ENDS

For more information contact:

Clare Louise O’Donoghue

Federation of Irish Sport

Commercial & Business Services Manager

clarelouise.odonoghue@irishsport.ie

086 0437887