News - Federation of Irish Sport

Alliance welcomes establishment of Garda insurance fraud office

Aug 30, 2021

Alliance welcomes establishment of Garda insurance fraud office

Calls on insurers to step up anti-fraud capacity

The Alliance for Insurance Reform has warmly welcomed the establishment of an Insurance Fraud Coordination Office (IFCO) under the control of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) to help combat fraudulent and exaggerated insurance claims.

Eoin McCambridge, Managing Director of McCambridge’s of Galway and director of the Alliance said “The Alliance has been campaigning for the establishment of a Garda insurance fraud unit from Day One and we warmly welcome today’s news. It marks a major step in the battle against insurance fraud, formalising as it does a structured and streamlined approach by the Gardaí. It will act as a significant deterrent to anyone considering making a fictitious or exaggerated claim.”

Peter Boland, Director of the Alliance said “The establishment of IFCO is the first step in the eradication of the scourge of insurance fraud. There are two more significant steps required to make sure this initiative works.

“Firstly, insurers must take fraud seriously, by stepping up their anti-fraud capacity through ‘The recruitment of suitably trained personnel and the development of various technological means of combating fraud’ as recommended by the Personal Injuries Commission chaired by Justice Nicholas Kearns. The days of settling fraudulent claims as an expedient and then passing the cost of this approach on to society must end.

“Secondly, we call on the Garda Commissioner to urgently establish Divisional structures to counter fraud. This initiative was announced by An Garda Siochana in 2019 but nothing has happened on it since.”

Kayak Skills with Laois Sports Partnership

Jul 29, 2021

Laois Sports Partnership hosts very successful Kayak Level 2 Skills Award for visually impaired

The Kayak Level 2 Skills Award course recently run by Laois Sports Partnership in conjunction with SVT Canoeing & Kayaking club for NCBI members in Laois was a new venture for all involved.

It was the first time that a group with visual impairments has taken part in this type of training in Laois.

The final day finished with assessment taken by the wonderful tutor Matt McGrath.

Laois Sports Partnership expressed a big thank you to Vision Sports for their support of the event.

“This is the first time that this was done in Laois. To bring a group of kids with visual impairment out on the water for the first time was just an unreal experience,” one of the tutors involved in the programme said.

At the end of the course, the participants had to demonstrate safety skills and techniques to achieve their Kayak Level 2 Skills Award.

But more importantly, the event was a very enjoyable and empowering one for all involved.

IWA-Sport updates – July

Jul 29, 2021

A busy few months for Irish Wheelchair Association Sport as clubs and athletes returned to activity across the country.

Following the start of the country’s re-opening, our clubs got back training together where the focus was on fun and socialising once again. One third of our clubs have returned to date with many more waiting on the return to indoor sport.

Last month, in partnership with Mayo Sports Partnership, we organised a ‘Come & Try’ event in Castlebar which was great success. Those who attended got to experience Para Athletics and Wheelchair Basketball, among other games and activities. Massive thank you to the Mayo Sports Partnership for organising the event and for the parents, coaches and athletes who attended on the evening. The aim now is to build on momentum and interest to establish a full-time multi-sport junior club for children with physical disabilities in partnership with Mayo LSP while also getting them involved in future IWA-Sports.

Our summer camp season began at the beginning of July with our annual members camp which was a massive success. The camp was ran in collaboration with SIDOS Lisa & Nuala from Dublin City Sport & Wellbeing partnership. Participants enjoyed Seated Volleyball, Wheelchair Hurling, Boccia, Orienteering, Wheelchair Tennis-Enjoy Tennis, Boxing with Dublin City Sport & Wellbeing Partnership, Yoga & mediation, Wheelchair Basketball, and our very own Ciara Staunton delivered a fantastic Wheelchair Rugby session. Huge thanks to the many staff from the aforementioned NGBS who supported the delivery of many of the activities. The summer camp fun has continued outdoors for our local community in St Anne’s Park where we continue to showcase our many para sports.

On July 25^th, our first competition since March 2020 took place with the beginning of the Para Athletics Grand Prix and the first event, the Jamie Boyle Games, taking place in Templemore AC. A very excited group took part in their first event in over 18months much to everyone’s delighted at the venue. A number of other Para Athletic events are due to take place in the coming weeks with competitions running to September.

We continue to enjoy our collaboration with Basketball Ireland over the summer months, where Wheelchair Basketball features as part of the outdoor 3×3 tournaments at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght. This has been a fantastic success in terms of the outdoor option provided and raising the profile of 3X3 Wheelchair Basketball.

Lastly the very best of luck to the many IWA-Sport athletes on the Irish Paralympic Team competing in Tokyo 2020.

Kerrie Leonard is off to Tokyo!

Jul 29, 2021

Archery Ireland is pleased to announce that Kerrie Leonard has qualified for the Tokyo Paralympic Games in the Para-Archery Individual Compound Open. After an incredibly tough qualifying campaign, all at Archery Ireland are very proud of Kerrie and wish her every luck.

Congratulations, Kerrie!

Initiatives and Updates from Canoeing Ireland

Jul 28, 2021

Get Ireland Paddling. New Participation Website

In a very positive move for casual paddlers Canoeing Ireland has launched a new website www.getirelandpaddling.ie/ with a wealth of useful information for everyone from first time or occasional paddlers to enthusiasts who are trying a new craft or looking for new challenges.

With an emphasis on water safety, the site offers easy to follow guidelines on the basic requirements for safe paddling. Our recognised activity providers and watersports retailers are listed with contact details for ease of access.

The extraordinary growth in popularity of paddlesports from stand-up paddleboards to sit on top kayaks along with the more traditional craft is a good news story. The information on safety and basic equipment required for safe paddling on the new site will make sure that everyone returns home safely at the end of a fun filled day.

Present at the recent launch of the new website were Sport Ireland director of participation & ethics Dr Una May, Canoeing Ireland chief executive officer Moira Aston, Canoeing Ireland president Brian Ogilvie, and RNLI water safety delivery support officer Lisa Hollingum. The new safety campaign is also being supported by Water Safety Ireland.

‘Recite me’ Canoeing Ireland Website Accessibility

Canoeing Ireland is committed to becoming a more inclusive organisation for all and so, we have now added a new Accessibility Toolbar on our website. ‘Recite me’ is innovative cloud based software that lets visitors to our website view and use it in the way that works best for them, this set of tools allows users to remove, re-colour and enhance the website content to make it easier for all user to use.

We will be developing the accessibility information on our website in the coming months so that people of all abilities can find the information they need on paddlesports through our website. The new accessibility tools can be found through the yellow ‘Accessibility Tools’ button on the top of every page on canoe.ie.

Paddle Able. Accessible Paddlesports

With support from the Dormant Accounts Fund, Canoeing Ireland are partnering with our clubs for running an introductory paddling programme for people with additional needs in their local community.

The aim of the Paddle-Able Programme is to:

Enable more opportunities for people with disabilities to find longevity in paddlesports within their local community.
Increase opportunities for people with disabilities to join local clubs.
Encourage and support club members to run the Paddle-Able programme
Encourage and support more clubs to engage with people in their community with additional needs.

Women in Sport. Bridge the Gap Funding

Canoeing Ireland are excited to announce an increase in Women in Sport funding for 2021/2022. We thank Sport Ireland for allocating €100,000 to continue developing our women in sport initiative Bridge the Gap. This initiative aims to achieve gender equity across all levels of paddlesports by addressing key areas:

Regular Participation
Leadership & Governance
Coaching & Officiating
Visibility – online and on the water

We have seen many successes resulting from Bridge the Gap over the previous two years and are confident that we will see many more. Well done to all who have helped us to come this far, and a special thanks to all Bridge the Gap Ambassadors who have been enthusiastically developing women in sport opportunities throughout the country over the past two years.

Be Alert to Water Safety

Jul 28, 2021

Sport Ireland and key stakeholders have come together to encourage everyone to be alert to water safety this summer.

Over the last few months there have been many successful campaigns and initiatives in regards to educating the public on water safety. While all stakeholders of this campaign have particular responsibilities and objectives, we all have the same overriding priority which is the safety of all participants in outdoor physical activities. By pooling resources and collaborating on this campaign, we all hope to spread the message on water safety, and encourage people to be safe on the water and save lives.

We are privileged to live on an island with an abundance of water to enjoy and we are spoilt with the choice of activities or enjoyment that people of all ages and abilities can derive from the water. The outdoors has acted as an escape for many during the last year and there has been a significant increase in the number of people taking to the water and enjoying water based activities.

It is however critical that everyone respects the dangers that exist around water and that that people know how to be safe around, on and in the water.

Everyone is encouraged to familiarise themselves with and follow these key water safety messages:

Check weather, water conditions and tides before going on or in the water
Let someone know where you are going and what time you expect to be back
Do not go alone, even if whoever you bring doesn’t get on or in the water
Have a method of calling for help. In emergency call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard
Use an appropriate lifejacket or buoyancy aid if you are doing activities on the water
Ensure you are visible in the water and do not go in or on the water during reduced light
Do not use inflatable toys in open water

It is important that parents and guardians educate children on these key water safety messages and that people are aware of the many hazards of swimming in undesignated areas.

If you see somebody in trouble on the water or along the coast dial 112/999 or use VHF Ch 16 and ask for the Coast Guard.

Follow the links below to find out more about education and water safety advice for specific water based activities or learn about general water safety education from the key stakeholders.

This Statement is endorsed by:

The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Department of Defence – Office of Emergency Planning – www.gov.ie/summerready

The Department of Rural and Community Development

Local Government Management Association and the local authorities

Water Safety Ireland – www.watersafety.ie/open-water-swimming/

RNLI – www.rnli.org/safety

Coast Guard

Failte Ireland

Coillte

Leave No Trace Ireland www.leavenotraceireland.org

Waterways Ireland