Aug 30, 2021
The Football Association of Ireland is proud to announce that players representing the Republic of Ireland Senior Men and Senior Women’s international teams will receive the same match fees on international duty with immediate effect in a ground-breaking deal for Irish sport.
The historic three-way agreement between the Men’s and Women’s squads and the FAI was brokered by FAI CEO Jonathan Hill and Ciaran Medlar, advisor to the male and female international players, alongside captains Katie McCabe
and Seamus Coleman.
Ongoing talks between all parties reached a successful conclusion ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualification games involving Stephen Kenny’s Senior Men’s side and Vera Pauw’s Senior Women’s team. The men’s squad have agreed to reduce their international fees, with the FAI matching their contribution to ensure that the Senior Women’s team match
fee is increased and all male and female players receive the same match fee from the September international window onwards. The FAI has also agreed equality of approach with the Senior Men’s and Senior Women’s squad with
regard to any future Tournament qualification.
Welcoming the announcement today, Ireland Senior Women’s Team captain Katie McCabe said: “This is a great day for Irish football. We have taken a huge step forward with this deal and have shown the world what can be achieved through unity as we offer male and female international players the same opportunities. I am very proud as Ireland captain of the work that has been put in to get us to this point, not just by the current team but by so many Irish players in the past. They are the real heroes in this story, they took a stand and they passed on the baton to the current generation. Seamus Coleman and his team-mates in the Senior Men’s squad also deserve credit for being brave enough to support us in such a progressive way on this issue. It is really appreciated. “I also want to thank Jonathan Hill and Ciaran Medlar for their roles in this agreement. The relationship between the FAI and the Senior Women’s team is stronger than I have ever known it and we look forward to continuing to work
together to make Irish football better for everyone who plays our game, regardless of their identity or background.” Senior Ireland Men’s team captain Seamus Coleman added: “On behalf of the Senior Men’s squad, I welcome this news today. We are delighted as players to do what we can to ensure that our female international players are treated equally and fairly and we remain fully committed to doing whatever we can to achieve that goal together. This deal is the right one for everyone who plays international football for Ireland, no matter which team they represent. We have been working towards this agreement for some time now with Katie, Jonathan and Ciaran and I hope this acts as an inspiration to many other nations to follow suit.”
FAI Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Hill commented: “Speaking on behalf of the Board of the FAI and myself, we are delighted to announce this historic agreement today. As we celebrate our Centenary and begin to build out the
strategic plan for a new FAI, the Board agreed unanimously that this is absolutely the right thing for us to do as an Association. This is another important milestone in the FAI’s own transformation journey and I believe this
equal pay programme shows us to be the progressive footballing nation we have always aspired to be. “It is also another step forward in our key strategic goal to grow the women’s game in Ireland in a sustainable and systematic way. For some months now, I have been working with Katie, Seamus and Ciaran on this agreement. Katie and her team-mates are role models to all the young girls playing football in Ireland whilst the actions of Seamus and his fellow players in our Senior Men’s squad
to make this equal pay proposition possible should not be underestimated. “When the proposal was first discussed, the Board was also united in its commitment to support the approach which we firmly believe is the right way forward for a modern, progressive and inclusive sports organisation. Our women footballers have worked tirelessly to get to this point and I am
delighted to see their ambitions for equality come to fruition with today’s announcement, one which all involved with Irish sport should celebrate. We now wish Vera, Katie and the whole team the very best for their upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification campaign.”
To see FAI TV interviews on this announcement see links:
Katie McCabe – https://youtu.be/39fQegTGLng
Seamus Coleman – https://youtu.be/89EESgJls1s
Jonathan Hill – https://youtu.be/xKkBlEvlqLU
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.”
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.
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 25th, 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.
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!
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.
