Mar 26, 2021
One hundred women from twenty-four National Governing Bodies and four Local Sports Partnerships have now completed a Women in Sport Leadership Programme with consultants Lisa Clancy and Sarah O’Shea.
Initiated and facilitated by Swim Ireland, and funded through Sport Ireland Women in Sport Funding, the course was designed by Lisa and Sarah to be delivered face to face. When Covid-19 hit, the programme was pivoted to online with the first course taking place for 8-weeks in September and October 2020. The programme has proved extremely popular and already delivered results with four courses now completed and two more underway.
Representatives from clubs, National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships, volunteers, coaches, athletes and staff, joined from all over Ireland and tuned in from England, South Africa, Canada and France also.
Modules were developed with the specific aim of enabling and supporting women to step into positions of authority in sport and included: Leadership and Values, Networking and Collaboration, Handling Challenging Situations, Crisis Management, Governance Developing Resilience, Communications and Developing your Personal Brand, amongst others. All necessary elements for today’s leadership journey.
40 speakers from the coaching, sporting, media, commercial world and beyond provided invaluable leadership insights to the group.
As well as the online element, participants also complete group work and a personal development plan with one-to-one sessions with Lisa or Sarah.
Speaking about the course Lisa Clancy commented ‘Following on from our work on the Women in Sport Policy I felt action was required to ensure women in Ireland had the confidence, skills and support to step into leadership positions in sport. Developing the course and seeing 100 women grow their own potential has been a real privilege and a very proud outcome during a challenging period for us all.”
Sarah O’Shea added ‘” I am delighted to be in a position to give back to women in sports leadership through running this course. A course of this kind would have been very beneficial to me during my time working in sport. The network and talent we have needs to be showcased and supported and I look forward to running more courses and continue to support women at all levels of Irish Sport”.
Sport Ireland Women in Sport Lead Nora Stapleton said ‘“Leadership and Governance is a key target area of Sport Ireland’s Policy on Women in Sport. We always encourage collaboration in the sports sector and are delighted with the success of this programme coordinated through Swim Ireland but with 28 different sporting organisations involved. I’d like to congratulate Lisa and Sarah for designing and delivering this programme to 100 women who I’m in no doubt will have benefited from it. We’re extremely grateful to Trish and her colleagues in Swim Ireland for the work they’ve done behind the scenes to facilitate the programme roll out and delighted that the Sport Ireland Women in Sport funding programme can allow these programmes to happen”.
Trish Mayon, Swim Ireland Head of Communications, who has facilitated the course commented ‘We were delighted to be able to bring so many NGB’s and LSP’s together for this programme. It has been extremely popular, and we have taken great pleasure in seeing the development plans and goals that participants finishing have come out with. We even had two Swim Ireland participants appointed to our Board since completing the course.’
Further courses will be delivered later in 2021. To register interest please e-mail bethanycarson@swimireland.ie
ENDS
Course Facts & Figures:
100 Candidates
24 National Governing Bodies and 4 LSPs
6 Courses
40 Speakers
Candidates aged 19 to 60+
32 county programme with candidates from 22 counties so far…
Trish Mayon
Head of Communications and Sponsorship Liaison
+353 86 8094786
Mar 26, 2021
The Federation is pleased to pass on the below information from our partners, Crowne Plaza Blanchardstown. While it has been a challenging and uncertain 12 months for us all we hope to see brighter days ahead.
While we fully understand that current circumstances have resulted in cancellations and curtailments for us all, should you be in need of the services of Crowne Plaza either for elite competition or as you potentially look to the latter half of the year, they are pleased to be able to offer the below competitive packages. Please see the rate below – Bed & Breakfast, Lunch Dinner Bed & Breakfast or Bed and Breakfast and Dinner.
Crowne Plaza have been working very hard in the background at ensuring the hotel is as safe as possible for any current guests and future guests and are now operating under very strict IHG ‘Clean Promise’ guidelines. Please visit https://www.cpireland.crowneplaza.com/dublin-airport and click on the IHG Clean Promise icon for more details on their extensive safety measures.
Overnight rates for the next 6 months from:
€85BB, Single occupancy and accommodated in a king size bed.
€95BB, for a Twin (€47.50 per person sharing).
€115 Full Board, DBB with lunch (1 course lunch, 2 course dinner – chef’s choice), single occupancy
€103 BB + dinner (2 course meal, chef’s choice), single occupancy
They can offer private space for meals and same floor accommodation for larger groups should you need. They also have a sister property, Crowne Plaza Northwood and the newly refurbished Holiday Inn express, comprised of 423 bedrooms located in a beautiful woodland setting off the M50 and only 7 minutes from Dublin Airport. Both hotels are perfect when hosting events in Santry/Malahide and North County Dublin.
If you have any questions please contact Carol Byrne directly on 086 201 8997 or email directly at carol.byrne@crowneplazadublin.ie. Crowne Plaza fully appreciate the strain that current circumstances have placed on all of society, in particular the sport and hospitality sectors, but are on hand to provide services to any organisation, team or group that may wish to put provisional plans in place or who has an elite level activity approved under the essential travel guidance, they need accommodation for. They are happy to discuss and tailor a quote specifically for your group needs.
Mar 25, 2021
Today, the Federation of Irish Sport announced the first of the participants of the upcoming Irish Sport Industry Innovation Series in the form of three hosts. The evenings will be facilitated by Rob Hartnett, Declan Conroy, and Trev Keane – each of whom will MC their own expert area focused evening.
Rob Hartnett, founder of Sport for Business, will direct the ‘Investment’ themed evening, while UEFA EURO2020 project lead Declan Conroy will host the discussions during the ‘International’ session. eSport Consultant Trev Keane will bring his experience to the final night titled ‘Innovation’.
The three hosts bring a wealth of experience and informed perspectives to the series which will add to the valuable debate and discussion with all guests.
Further speakers to be announced.
The series takes place from 20th – 22nd April 2021 and tickets are available at www.irishsport.ie/tickets
For more about the event visit https://www.irishsport.ie/federation-of-irish-sport-launch-irish-sport-industry-innovation-series-focusing-on-investment-international-and-innovation-strands-of-sport-sector/
ENDS
Contact: Sinead Conroy sinead.conroy@irishsport.ie
Mar 23, 2021
NUI Galway and Ulster University are the first Centres of Excellence confirmed
Basketball Ireland is rolling out ambitious plans for 8 to 10 Centres of Excellence, which will be located nationwide. NUI Galway and Ulster University in Jordanstown are the first two Centres of Excellence to be confirmed, having signed an agreement with Basketball Ireland this month. Talks are ongoing with a number of other third level institutions, with further announcements in due course.
Each Centre of Excellence will provide access to expertise, such as strength and conditioning, sports medicine, sports psychology, diet and nutrition, sports management and administration, coach development and training. They will also have media and meeting facilities.
The Centres of Excellence will be used for national training camps for international sides, along with Basketball Ireland academies. There will also be the ability to host international fixtures, national senior competitions, intervarsity competitions, as well as local schools cups and blitzes.
Basketball Ireland CEO, Bernard O’Byrne, who has spearheaded the initiative with colleague Colman O’Flynn, said: “We are delighted to be teaming up with NUI Galway and Ulster University. Both institutions have wonderful facilities and a proven track record in sport, developing athletes for elite competition. These Centres of Excellence are a major infrastructural initiative by Basketball Ireland to deliver world-class facilities and will give our international players and teams the best chance of success when they compete. These Centres of Excellence will be geographically spread, meaning there will be top of the range resources available to local basketball communities in every corner of the country. We want everyone participating in the sport to have the opportunity to fulfil their potential. We have seen a surge in interest in basketball in Ireland and we are determined to continue its growth.”
Mike Heskin, Director of Sport and Physical Activity at NUI Galway, said: “We are very excited about this new partnership with Basketball Ireland’s High Performance Programme. The University has been developing partnerships with a number of the High Performance Sport programmes in Ireland, involving both domestic and Olympic sports. We are certain these partnerships will prove hugely beneficial to our University athletes, by providing a clear pathway for them to achieve their athletic goals. We are especially delighted to be in partnership with Basketball Ireland to build on the existing relationship, which has provided Olympians in our recent past.
“I would like to thank the support that Feargal O’Callaghan, our High Performance Lead; Mike Murray, our Director of Basketball and the help I have received from the University leadership, especially Michelle Miller, Dean Of Students, in developing a High Performance Hub at NUI Galway for the western region. We hope to see a number of other sports follow Basketball Ireland’s lead and operate a high performance programme from the NUI Galway’s campus.”
Feargal O’Callaghan, NUI Galway’s High Performance Sports Lead, added: “I am delighted we have this new partnership with Basketball Ireland. The sports department at NUI Galway has been developing new relationships with a number of key sports in order to develop athletes for the University and the region. The fact that Basketball Ireland has chosen NUI Galway as a base for its programme in the region is great recognition for the hard work that has been put in by everyone in the University sports department. I am really looking forward to seeing what this partnership will do for basketball in the region.”
Dr. Nigel Dobson, Head of Sports Services at Ulster University also welcomed the designation as a Centre of Excellence: “At Ulster University we are passionate about performance and helping people fulfil their potential. We have a long history in basketball, with a number of international players coming through the university, including Emer Howard, Deirdre Brennan, Gareth Maguire, Adrian Fulton and more recently Alex Mulligan and the Quinn twins, Conor and Aidan. Ulster University has also been competing in the men’s and women’s National League since 2005/06 season. This partnership with Basketball Ireland for a Centre of Excellence at our Jordanstown campus builds upon the great work of Patrick O’Neill, our joint basketball development officer and continues our joint pursuit of excellence in the sport.”
Prof. Deirdre Brennan, Ulster University senior academic and coach added: “Basketball has always been an integral part of Ulster University sporting culture since its inception. We have been graced with Irish Internationals dating back to 70’s, who have helped us win multiple varsity and college titles. We are thrilled with the development of a Basketball Ireland Centre of Excellence and look forward to welcoming international teams and players, as well as local clubs, to avail of the excellent facilities and resources we have on offer.”
Mar 15, 2021
Today, the Federation of Irish Sport launches the inaugural Irish Sport Industry Innovation Series. The virtual event will bring together thought leaders, subject matter experts and a wealth of experienced individuals for three evenings of discussion, reflection, and knowledge sharing.
The series will cover three core areas: investment, international and innovation through a combination of keynote interviews and panel discussions including ‘The importance of sustainable investment’, ‘Exploring the future of Ireland Inc.’ and ‘Adapting, innovating, and advancing: the role of data driven insights for Sport and Physical Activity’. Contributors will bring a variety of insight and experience from government departments, international projects, market leading multinational corporations, philanthropic investment organisations and sporting bodies.
The event temporarily takes the place of the annual Irish Sport Industry Awards which were paused as a result of COVID-19 and the widespread impact of closures and cessation of activity on the sector. The awards, which will return in 2022, have always served to recognise the outstanding efforts of the bodies and businesses operating in the sport and physical activity sphere and showcase the value of sport and physical activity to the Irish economy. The Industry Series will seek to do likewise while also incorporating reflection and recognition on the exceptional innovative work of so many over the past 12 months. In the face of unprecedented challenges, the sector pivoted its efforts and energy to continue to deliver opportunities and engagement for those who needed it. The Federation will recognise and showcase that commitment across the series in a bid to share the lessons, learnings, and successes of many with the sector as a whole.
Speaking about the launch of the series, Federation of Irish Sport CEO Mary O’Connor said, “The series is an important and exciting event for the Federation in 2021. As we all know, we are operating in a very different place this year as a result of the ongoing challenges of COVID-19. Throughout 2020 we were inspired by some of the fantastic innovative ideas of those within the sector. This series seeks to harness that innovation and pivot our own annual awards into a collaborative, thought provoking and informative series for our members, the sport industry sector and the public. We have a stellar line up of contributors to be announced and look forward to sharing this series with the sector, reflecting and recognising the challenges of the past year and looking to the future with inspiration, innovation and optimism.”
Series takes place from 20th – 22nd April. Speakers and contributors to be announced in full over the next two weeks.
Tickets are on sale from 1pm Monday 15th March at www.irishsport.ie/tickets
Mar 11, 2021
The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, T.D, and the Minister of State for Sport and the Gaeltacht, Jack Chambers, T.D., today announced details of the applications received under the latest round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP). The SCEP is the Government’s primary vehicle for providing support to sports clubs and communities to develop sports infrastructure around the country. The deadline for applications was 5pm on 1st March. 3,106 applications were received with a total of over €200m sought by all applicants.
Minister Martin stated: “This is the highest number of applications ever received which shows the continued importance and popularity of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme. I want to thank all of the volunteers throughout the country who submitted applications on behalf of their clubs and communities. It has been a tough year for many sports clubs but the level of interest shows that clubs are determined to have improved facilities for their members when we emerge from the current Covid crisis.”
The Minister of State with responsibility for Sport, Jack Chambers, highlighted the diversity of applications received: “I am delighted with the response to the call for proposals. Applications have been received from towns and villages right across the country with over 60 different sports applying. The sports covered range from all the main field sports to martial arts, rowing, volleyball and wheelchair sports. The level of demand will make the allocation process challenging but we will shortly publish our scoring system and assessment manual which will ensure that funding is allocated in a fully transparent and fair manner. The new Programme will again prioritise applications from disadvantaged areas, applications which will increase participation including female participation and disabled users and those which share facilities with other users and the wider community. I hope that the first set of allocations will be announced during the summer with all allocations made before the end of the year.”
Details of all applications received on a county basis have been published on the Department’s website here.
The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme is the Government’s primary vehicle for supporting the development of sports facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment.
• Natural grass sports pitches, tracks and courts (including pitch drainage)
• Energy Efficient Floodlighting
• Artificial sports pitches, tracks, courts and multi-use games areas
• Security fencing, ball stop netting and goal posts
• Hurling walls / handball alleys
• Building or refurbishment of dressing rooms, showers and toilets
• Building or refurbishment of sports halls and gyms
• Non-personal sports equipment.
• Limited Covid related works/equipment
• Modifications to sports facilities to reduce energy consumption
• Any other capital projects that are clearly sporting in nature and that will increase participation in sport or improve performance
Further information about the programme including details of all previous allocations and a detailed review of the latest (2018) round of the programme can be found here.
