Jan 22, 2021
TG4 have announced that the station will broadcast weekly matches and highlights from the upcoming Australian Football League Women’s (AFLW) season.
The NAB AFL Women’s Competition begins on the last weekend of January with fourteen teams battling it out over twelve weekends to see who will reach the Grand Final in April.
The agreement between TG4 and the Australian Football League (AFL) will see matches being broadcast deferred each weekend as well as weekly highlights. The coverage will begin on TG4 on Saturday 30th January at 5.10pm (the full schedule for February is below).
There will be fourteen Irish players playing in this season’s NAB AFL Women’s Competition which is Australia’s national semi-professional Australian Rules Football league for female players. The first season of the league in 2017 had 8 teams; the league expanded to 10 teams in the 2019 season and expanded to 14 teams in the 2020 season. The league is run by the Australian Football League (AFL) and is contested by a subset of clubs from that competition.
AFL Head of Women’s Football Nicole Livingstone said she was pleased with the announcement and looked forward to the NAB AFL Women’s Competition being broadcast in Ireland. “We are proud to expand the AFLW broadcast to Ireland, a significant announcement for Australian Football given the impact Irish footballers have had on the NAB AFL Women’s Competition,” Ms. Livingstone said. “We have 14 Irish players currently on AFLW lists and it is great to know that their family and friends back home will be able to watch them in action this season.”
TG4’s Head of Sport Rónán Ó Coisdealbha said: “We are extremely pleased that TG4 have agreed a deal with the Australian Football League (AFL) to broadcast matches from the NAB AFL Women’s Competition. There are a lot of players from Ireland who play in the AFLW so the interest is very high. We would like to thank the AFL for giving us the opportunity to showcase their sport in Ireland.”
The fourteen Irish players confirmed for the 2021 season are as follows:
Sarah Rowe (Collingwood / Mayo)
Cora Staunton (GWS Giants / Mayo)
Aileen Gilroy (North Melbourne / Mayo)
Grace Kelly (West Coast Eagles / Mayo)
Niamh Kelly (West Coast Eagles / Mayo)
Sinéad Goldrick (Melbourne FC / Dublin)
Niamh McEvoy (Melbourne FC / Dublin)
Lauren Magee (Melbourne FC / Dublin)
Aisling McCarthy (West Coast Eagles / Tipperary)
Orla O’Dwyer (Brisbane Lions / Tipperary)
Ailish Considine (Adelaide Crows / Clare)
Áine Tighe (Fremantle Dockers / Leitrim)
Bríd Stack (GWS Giants / Cork)
Aishling Sheridan (Collingwood / Cavan)
DATES FOR NAB AFL WOMEN’S SEASON:
Round 1 – Weekend of 28 / 29 / 30 / 31 January
Round 2 – Weekend of 5 / 6 / 7 February
Round 3 – Weekend of 12 / 13 / 14 February
Round 4 – Weekend of 19 / 20 / 21 February
Round 5 – Weekend of 26 / 27 / 28 February
Round 6 – Weekend of 5 / 6 / 7 March
Round 7 – Weekend of 12 / 13 / 14 March
Round 8 – Weekend of 19 / 20 / 21 March
Round 9 – Weekend of 26 / 27 / 28 March
Finals series / Elimination finals – Weekend of 4 April (3rd place v 6th place & 4th place v 5th place)
Finals series / Preliminary finals – Weekend of 10 April (Semi-Finals, Winner of 3rd vs 6th plays team that finished 2nd, Winner of 4th vs 5th plays team that finished 1st)
GRAND FINAL – Saturday 17 April
TG4 Coverage
Saturday 30 January 5.10pm – full deferred coverage from a top match in the 1st round.
Monday 1 February 8pm – highlights from the weekends matches from the 1st round.
Saturday 6 February 5.10pm – full deferred coverage from a top match in the 2nd round.
Monday 8 February 8pm – highlights from the weekends matches from the 2nd round.
Saturday 13 February 5.10pm – full deferred coverage from a top match in the 3rd round.
Monday 15 February 8pm – highlights from the weekends matches from the 3rd round.
Saturday 20 February 5.10pm – full deferred coverage from a top match in the 4th round.
Monday 22 February 8pm – highlights from the weekends matches from the 4th round.
Saturday 27 February 5.45pm – coverage from a top match in the 5th round.
More information here:
List of matches: https://womens.afl/matches/2021
https://womens.afl/discover/aflw/the-game
Jan 22, 2021
Says we now have 19 State reports which highlight the need for urgent insurance reform
The Alliance for Insurance Reform has welcomed the publication of the Government’s Report of the SME Taskforce: SME and Entrepreneurship Growth Plan.
Key insurance-related recommendations in the Report include:
- Dramatically reduce the cost of EL & PL insurance via measures targeted at the cost of claims and the duty of care.
- Encourage greater competition by seeking out additional multinational underwriters to supply the Irish market.
- Develop best practice health & safety training for SMEs via Skillnet.
- Creating a process for attracting EU operators to the Irish market and/or encourage Irish players to provide insurance services for SMEs.
Peter Boland, director of the Alliance said “While we welcome the content of this report and will obviously engage with its implementation, we now have 19 reports from the State in the last 4 years which highlight the need for urgent insurance reform. The success of this report will be measured by the actions that follow and how quickly they happen.“
Tracy Sheridan, owner of Kidspace play centres in Rathfarnham and Rathcoole and director of the Alliance said “The Irish economy is not going to recover from Covid-19 through SMEs unless insurance is sorted because insurance costs remain an existential issue for Irish SMEs.”
ENDS
Jan 21, 2021
| As the Judicial Council prepares Personal Injuries Guidelines to replace the Book of Quantum, the Alliance for Insurance Reform has called on the judiciary to have regard to the common good in their deliberations and reduce awards for minor personal injuries by 80%.
The Judicial Council is scheduled to adopt and publish new judicial guidelines on damages for personal injuries by 31st July at the latest. These new guidelines will replace the current Book of Quantum guidelines as to the amounts that may be awarded in personal injury claims. It is understood that draft guidelines are to be considered at a meeting of the full Judicial Council on the 5th February.
Peter Boland, Director of the Alliance, which represents charities, voluntary and community groups, sports and cultural organisations and SMEs severely affected by insurance costs said “The single biggest element of the cost of insurance, as determined by the Cost of Insurance Working Group, the Personal Injuries Commission and the Central Bank’s National Claims Information Database, is compensation; and general damages for minor injuries account for the vast majority of compensation payouts. What we award for minor, fully recovered injuries in Ireland is 4.4 times higher than in England & Wales and further multiples higher than other European jurisdictions. An 80% reduction on minor injuries would only bring us down to where England and Wales currently are and would still be nowhere near the equivalent damages in other European countries – and England and Wales are further slashing their damages for minor whiplash injuries later this year.
“We call on the Judicial Council to have regard to the common good in reducing general damages for fully recovered minor injuries by at least 80% to reflect international norms and norms already established by the Court of Appeal.
“We are not talking about damages for serious injuries here. Where a person is seriously injured due the negligence of someone else, they must be properly compensated and that is what insurance is there for. What we are talking about are the bumps, bruises and mild, fully recovered whiplash injuries where treatment ends when the legal action is finished. We reward these injuries at a level unprecedented in Europe and these are the awards that are damaging Irish society.”
Tracy Sheridan, owner of Kidspace play centres in Rathfarnham and Rathcoole and director of the Alliance said “Insurance costs remain an existential issue for Irish SMEs, charities, sports and cultural organisations, voluntary and community groups. The Irish economy is not going to recover from Covid-19 through SMEs, or Irish society through the voluntary & community sector, unless insurance is sorted.”
Ivan Cooper, Director of Public Policy at the Wheel (Ireland’s national association of community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises) and director of the Alliance said “This is a singular opportunity for the judiciary to have a profoundly positive impact on Irish community and voluntary groups and small businesses.“
ENDS
NOTES:
“The single biggest element of the cost of insurance…is compensation”: See Alliance for Insurance Reform Fact Sheet No. 2 “Who Gets What?” graphic.
“Damages for minor injuries account for the vast majority of compensation payouts”: See PIAB – Insights into the Personal Injury Environment, November 2019
“What we are talking about are the bumps, bruises and mild, fully recovered whiplash injuries where treatment ends when the legal action is finished.”: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/most-whiplash-patients-end-treatment-when-legal-action-finished-1.4041918
Overall, the Alliance expects general damages for minor, fully recovered soft tissue injuries to be recalibrated in the manner reflected in the ISME Fair Book of Quantum which corresponds with our own independent academic advice.
The Alliance for Insurance Reform brings together 39 civic and business organisations from across Ireland, representing over 55,000 members, 690,000 employees, 599,000 volunteers and 374,000 students in highlighting the negative impact of persistently high premiums and calling for real reforms that will quickly reduce liability and motor insurance premiums to affordable levels and keep them that way. Our members include:
- AOIFE Ireland (Association of Irish Festival Events)
- Car Rental Council of Ireland
- Childminding Ireland
- Coach Tourism & Transport Council of Ireland
- Community Reuse Network Ireland
- Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association
- Cork Business Association
- Early Childhood Ireland
- Family Business Network Ireland
- Federation of Irish Sport
- Galway Chamber
- Galway City Business Association
- Galway County Public Participation Network (PPN)
- Ireland Active
- Ireland’s Association for Adventure Tourism
- Irish Caravan and Camping Council
- Irish Concrete Federation
- Irish Hotels Federation
- Irish Road Haulage Association
- Irish Showman’s Guild
- Irish Street Arts, Circus and Spectacle Network
- Irish Travel Agents Association
- ISME
- Licensed Vintners Association
- Motorsport Ireland
- Nursing Homes Ireland
- Play Activity and Leisure Ireland
- Quick Service Food Alliance
- Restaurants Association of Ireland
- Retail Excellence
- RGDATA
- Sligo PPN
- Society of the Irish Motor Industry
- South Dublin County PPN
- Sport Ireland
- Union of Students in Ireland
- Vintners Federation of Ireland
- Volunteer Ireland
- The Wheel (Ireland’s national association for community, voluntary and charitable organisations)
For further details contact: contact@insurancereform.ie |
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Jan 18, 2021
Last week saw three evenings of celebration honouring our fantastic sporting volunteers. The Volunteers in Sport Awards supported by EBS culminated on Thursday evening after three inspirational ceremonies.
We congratulate all winners and the many thousands of volunteers they represent. We also thank our partners EBS, our judging panel and all our members for their continued support and engagement.
Check out the highlights from the awards at https://www.facebook.com/federationofirishsport/videos/721661402122360
Jan 11, 2021
There is a Partnership Building For EU Projects webinar being organised by The Wheel Organisation. This event will be of interest to sporting bodies interested in developing EU funded projects for sport in 2021.
Date: 28th Jan 2021
Time: 10:00am to 12:00pm
Cost: Free
There will be a number of EU Funding programmes inclusing the Erasmus+ Sport programme opening up for applications in 2021. There are three seperate funding programmes available under Erasmus+ Sport at the moment and these include;
Now is the time to start developing project ideas, project partners and applications for applications to be submitted in 2021 !
The Wheel Organisation is also providing support to all organisation on EU funding and projects under its new Access Programme, so will be a helpful resourse to sporting bodies.
Sport Ireland will also provide some support to partner bodies interested in progressing EU funded project, and organisatons are asked to contact innovation and EU funding manager, Cormac MacDonnell on this ( cmacdonnell@sportireland.ie).
Jan 11, 2021
Basketball’s Anne McHale receives Outstanding Achievement Award, with Pat Hooper (RIP) and Daingean GAA honoured with Special Recognition Awards
JANUARY 11th, 2021: Volunteers from a host of sports from across the 32 counties of Ireland will be honoured this week at the virtual 2020 Federation of Irish Sport Volunteers in Sport Awards, proudly supported by EBS Mortgage Masters.
The Volunteers in Sport Awards were created to champion the contribution, commitment and dedication of the army of 450,000 volunteers across the country who go above and beyond by giving their time to Irish sport and physical activity each year. These volunteers dedicate some 37.2 million hours of volunteering across the country’s 13,000+ sports clubs and associations every year.
Towards the end of 2020, members of the public, as well as sports clubs and governing bodies were invited to nominate an individual whose contributions to sport has made a real difference to their community, club or county. The nominations and award recipients were selected by a judging panel consisting of 11 individuals drawn from sports administration, the volunteer community and media, including former Director General of the GAA, Paraic Duffy, RTÉ broadcaster, Marie Crowe and CEO of CARA, Niamh Daffy.
In addition to the 32 county-level award winners, basketball stalwart, Anne McHale, of Ballina Braves Boys BC in Mayo, received the overall Outstanding Achievement Award for the many years of tireless service she has given to the sport and the club in Co. Mayo. Olympian Pat Hooper (RIP) was also honoured with a Special Recognition award for his dedication to the sport of athletics. He was a decorated athlete before becoming a dedicated and exceptional coach. His untimely passing in 2020 was felt by the entire athletics community. Daingean GAA (Offaly) has also received a Special Recognition award for their commitment to their community during Covid-19. The group went above and beyond to assist their community and came together to support the most vulnerable members through these challenging times.
Speaking about the awards, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport, Mary O’Connor said: “Sport plays a central role in the social fabric of every community in Ireland, yet it would not happen at all without the army of volunteers who dedicate their time and expertise across pitches, courts, tracks, pools and community halls across the country. This year, more than ever before, we have seen just how essential the role of the volunteer is in our local communities and to this end, it will be an honour to be able to recognise so many of these volunteers at this week’s virtual Volunteers in Sport awards. I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to all of this year’s recipients, and also thank EBS for their amazing support in bringing the awards – and wider recognition – of volunteers in sport in Ireland to life. Thanks also to Minister Jack Chambers who will be taking the time out of his schedule to attend our virtual ceremonies this week and helping us to champion and celebrate the recipients.”
Commenting on the awards, Minister of State for Sport and the Gaeltacht, Jack Chambers, TD, said: “It is a real honour for me to help recognise so many fantastic volunteers in our community at this year’s virtual Volunteers in Sport Awards. I have always admired the hard work and dedication that goes on behind the scenes in sport and physical activity throughout the country, and it is a privilege for me be involved this week to help celebrate so many incredible individuals who give their time and dedication to ensuring that sport in Ireland runs smoothly 365 days of the year. Volunteers are often overlooked, but they are truly the backbone of sport in Ireland and these awards are a superb way to recognise and honour their amazing contribution to their communities. My thanks to the Federation of Irish Sport and EBS and everyone who will no doubt make these virtual ceremonies a memorable occasion for all.”
Chief Executive Officer of EBS, Paul Butler, commented: “EBS is thrilled to partner with the Federation of Irish Sport once more this year to honour and champion so many of our everyday heroes around Ireland who are truly the backbone of Irish sport. EBS has been involved in communities in Ireland for over 80 years and we know that our biggest asset is the people who work with our customers throughout local communities in Ireland. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the recipients of the 2020 Volunteers in Sports Awards and thank them for all of the tireless work they do to ensure sport in Ireland continues to flourish.”
The awards will be streamed live each evening from 7pm on the Federation of Irish Sport’s Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/federationofirishsport/ with the awards schedule listed below:
- Tuesday, January 12th: Leinster and Special Recognition Award
- Wednesday, January 13th: Munster, Connacht and Special Recognition Award
- Thursday, January 14th: Ulster and Outstanding Achievement Award
For more information on the awards, visit http://www.volunteersinsport.ie/.
ENDS
EBS d.a.c. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
For further information contact:
Claire Shannon, Wilson Hartnell, claire.shannon@ogilvy.com, 087 126 0924
Mary McGuire, Wilson Hartnell, mary.mcguire@ogilvy.com 087 951 6651
Robert White, Wilson Hartnell, Robert.white@ogilvy.com 086 126 1644
Full list of winners for the 2020 Federation of Irish Sport Volunteer in Sport awards proudly supported by EBS:
| COUNTY |
NAME |
SPORT |
CLUB |
| Outstanding Achievement Award |
Ann McHale |
Basketball |
Ballina Braves Basketball Club (Mayo) |
| Special Recognition Award |
Pat Hooper (RIP) |
Athletics |
|
| Special Recognition Award |
Daingean GAA |
GAA |
|
| Antrim |
Michael Close |
Boxing |
Ledley Hall Boys and Girls Club Trust |
| Armagh |
Anne Forsythe |
Motorcycling |
North Armagh Motorcycle and Car Club |
| Carlow |
Denis Shannon |
Athletics |
Tinryland Athletics Club |
| Cavan |
Philip Galligan |
GAA |
St Patrick’s Arva GAA |
| Clare |
Brid MacNamara |
Camogie |
Clare Camogie Board |
| Cork |
Mary Haughney |
Swimming |
Sunday’s Well Swimming Club |
| Derry |
Padraig Dougan |
Cycling |
Carn Wheelers Cycling Club |
| Donegal |
Fergus McAteer |
Soccer |
Mulroy Soccer Academy |
| Down |
William Martin |
Badminton |
Ulster Badminton |
| Dublin |
Stella Downes |
Cricket |
Clontarf Cricket Club |
| Fermanagh |
Derek Holland |
Rowing |
Enniskillen Royal Boat Club |
| Galway |
Michael Mongan |
Boxing |
Olympic Boxing Club |
| Kerry |
Selina O’Connor |
GAA |
Luane Rangers GAA |
| Kildare |
Tom Egan |
Canoeing |
Salmon Leap Canoe Club |
| Kilkenny |
David Denieffe |
Athletics |
Gowran Athletics Club |
| Laois |
Mary Donohue |
Camogie |
Harps GAA |
| Leitrim |
John Connolly |
Athletics |
Carrick-on-Shannon Athletics Club |
| Limerick |
Emer Kenny |
Camogie |
Ahane Camogie Club |
| Longford |
Jenny Mahon |
Handball |
Abbeylara Handball Club |
| Louth |
Robert Nash |
GAA/Soccer |
Na Piarsaigh GFC and Bay FC |
| Mayo |
Johnny Carey |
Boxing |
Geesala Boxing Club |
| Meath |
Graham Hyland |
Athletics |
Cilles Athletics Club |
| Monaghan |
Adam Grimes |
GAA |
Killanny Gearldines GFC |
| Offaly |
Tomas Quinlan |
Soccer |
Moneygall Football Club |
| Roscommon |
Aidan Farrell |
Rugby |
Creggs Rugby Club |
| Sligo |
Veronica Murray |
Special Olympics |
Special Olympics Connacht |
| Tipperary |
Pauline Nugent |
Special Olympics |
Ormond Special Olympics Club |
| Tyrone |
Karen Ballantine |
Golf |
Newtownstewart Golf Club |
| Waterford |
Hugh O’Brien Moran |
Surfing |
TBay Surf Club |
| Westmeath |
Colm Walsh |
Athletics |
Mullingar Harriers Athletics Club |
| Wexford |
Liam Rossiter |
Soccer |
New Ross Town Football Club |
| Wicklow |
Conor Woods |
Tennis |
Greystones Lawn Tennis Club |
