May 28, 2020
The biggest ever coaching survey conducted in Irish sport will see the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association join forces to help shape the future development of Gaelic games.
Coaches at every level of football, hurling and camogie are being encouraged and urged to make their voices heard via the online survey. The Gaelic games Coach Survey 2020 is a unique opportunity for coaches to provide an insight into their role, and their needs.
This survey will look at all our coaches’ experience, their practice and how coaches see coaching into the future. We are also very interested in coaches’ experience of coach education, and what coaches feel are their own learning needs. Those people that have dropped out of coaching are also part of this survey, to help us understand why they are no longer coaching, and whether there is anything that we can put in place to encourage them back into coaching.
We are asking all coaches to complete the survey and to circulate this survey amongst all the coaches within your club.
To access the survey, you can click on the following link:
Take Gaelic Games Coach Survey 2020
Alternatively, you can visit the GAA Learning website – https://learning.gaa.ie/coachsurvey or email gamesdevelopment@gaa.ie
Coaches who complete the survey will be offered the chance to take part in a draw, whereby four respondents will win Coaching Master Class sessions. The Coaching Master Class will involve a coaching session for the winning coaches’ own team, and a coaching workshop for all of the coaches within their Club.
May 21, 2020
STATEMENT FROM THE FEDERATION OF IRISH SPORT IN RELATION TO THE CURRENT STATE OF SPORT IN IRELAND
Federation calls for a Resilience Fund for Sport and a task force to specifically focus on the survival and reignition of sport organisations nationwide
Issued on behalf of our members the 81 National Governing Bodies and 29 Local Sports Partnerships that organise Sport and Physical Activity in Ireland
There has been no organised sport in Ireland for 10 weeks. The stark reality is that the knock-on effects of Covid-19 financially for all sports organisations in the country are devastating. Within the last week, we have seen a number of our major team sports talk publicly of losses up to 70% of their turnover. Unfortunately, we are also seeing these types of percentages in revenue losses right across the sporting landscape in Ireland. All sports have been impacted.
While we welcome the setting up of the Return to Sport Expert Group, its remit is very specific which is to assess the consistency of the various protocols being prepared by NGBs to return to sport in Ireland. The Federation believes however that in addition to this Group, that sport needs a separate Task Force similar to the one Government has set up for the Tourism Industry. We need innovative thinking, swift action, and investment at local and national level providing business and administrative supports to Irish Sport to help sustain it through this unprecedented emergency and the recovery.
The fact is that many of our 13,000 clubs and sporting organisations may not survive the financial impact of Covid-19 without financial assistance now. We are calling on the Government to introduce a Resilience Fund for sport immediately.
While the government are to be commended not alone on their support for the charitable sector but also for the €250 million fund set up for small business, the reality is that sport needs similar support. Sports clubs across all sports are in most cases small businesses as well as social enterprises – in some cases not that small either! It is all too easy to forget that sport in Ireland is today an industry that employs some 40,000 people (supported by some 500,000 volunteers) and which also accounts for €2.7 billion in consumer spending. It also is worth €500 million to our tourism industry.
The Covid-19 Irish Sport Resilience Fund needs to be established by Government as a matter of urgency. Similar funds were introduced by Sport England and Sport New Zealand a number of weeks ago. As is the case in both those countries, support will be needed for club and community sports organisations as well as sports organisations funded through Sport Ireland. This financial assistance must help sports organisations facing particular financial difficulty and support organisations in getting back to business and adapting to the new reality as restrictions lift.
There has been a significant fall off in income, as the normal revenue sources such as subscriptions, gate receipts, sponsorship, summer camp and coach education income have dried up. At the same time, running costs including insurance and facilities maintenance all continue to be incurred. Most sports clubs are not-for-profit organisations with minimal reserves, and they are now also facing substantial costs to be able to implement return to sport protocols in accordance with public health guidelines.
This at a time when physical activity and exercise has never been as important to maintain both physical and mental wellbeing. Irish Sport is supporting the Government call in this regard with sports organisations of all types being innovative in their use of digital channels to encourage activity and maintain a sense of community.
-ENDS-
May 21, 2020
4 in 10 SUPPORT A RETURN TO LIVE SPORT IN 2020
1 in 5 Irish adults support the idea of playing landmark Irish sporting events including the GAA Senior Football & Hurling Championships, Guinness 6 Nations & Autumn Series Rugby and FAI League of Ireland behind closed doors and viewable digitally in the second half of 2020, with a further 17% in favor of reduced capacity crowds being allowed to attend such games, according to new research by sponsorship consultants ONSIDE.
The latest wave of the ONSIDE Sponsorship Market Monitor has revealed that 44% of Irish adults claim that they will only attend live sports events or concerts when a vaccine is available for Covid-19, with the varying sports fan bases of GAA, Rugby and Irish soccer largely aligned on their return to play preferences.
4 in 10 Irish adults also believe the remaining Republic of Ireland Senior Men’s International Team qualifiers for the postponed UEFA European Championships in 2021 at the Aviva Stadium should be played out later this year. According to John Trainor, Founder and CEO of ONSIDE: “Age is a definite factor in Irish adults’ return to play preferences. While 3 in 10 young Irish adults aged 18-24 are against these games being played out this year, this grows to 52% of adults aged 45-64”.
Trainor continued, “The return to sports on the global stage has been a success for early movers so far, with high interest and viewership gains won for many. Over 6 million viewers tuned in across Germany for Sky’s coverage of the return to football between Borussia Dortmund and Schalke, which represents a doubling of what would have been expected for the game under normal circumstances. Similarly, the return of Nascar’s North American stock car racing series on May 17th delivered an average audience of 6.32 million viewers for US broadcast network Fox, up nearly 40% compared to the last race to take place before the series was paused due to the current pandemic.”
Trainor noted that: “Among the 17% in favour of events going ahead in Ireland with live attendees later this year, 50% capacity is the preferred option, with close to 1 in 10 generally open to the major sports events tested in our research being played in half filled sports stadia”.
The ONSIDE survey also uncovered a more cautious approach by the Irish public to returning to live music, arts and theatre performances at major indoor venues in 2020, with 1 in 4 in favor of reduced capacity or digitally streamed music concerts, while close to 6 in 10 would rather see such events in major indoor entertainment venues hold off on a return until 2021.
Striking a somewhat positive note for income streams of sports, music and theatre rights holders in Ireland, 30% of Irish adults would be ready to buy a ticket now to a major sports, music or theatre event that is due to take place in the first half of next year. Trainor notes that: “Encouragingly for the indoor music and theatre sector, their ‘regular fans’ in particular are more likely to be ready to buy into 2021 shows now, with 48% of regular goers to venues like the 3 Arena and Bord Gáis Energy Theatre ready to buy tickets now for 2021 shows at such venues”.
Testing the business case for sponsorship within this landscape, the latest ONSIDE research found that 53% of sports fans and 60% of music and arts event goers believe that in today’s economy, it is more important than ever for companies to invest in sponsorship and 56% of avid Irish sports fans went on to say that they would be more inclined to support companies or brands who in turn continue to support their favourite sports events and teams through sponsorship.
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For media queries contact:
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| John Trainor
Founder & CEO
ONSIDE
(T) +353-1-905 3240 / (e) john.trainor@ONSIDE.ie (m) 086-38 38 787
(w) www.ONSIDE.ie |
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| About the ‘ONSIDE Sponsorship Market Monitor’
In the consumer research cited in this release, ONSIDE used a nationally representative survey of 1,001 adults aged 18+ across the Republic of Ireland. Fieldwork was conducted from 7th – 12th May 2020. |
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ONSIDE is a leading specialist in marketing and sponsorship consulting and research services – With a proven track record and strong industry experience in a cross section of sectors, ONSIDE is currently feeding into the marketing and sponsorship decision making of circa €50m+ of Irish spend – working on many of Ireland’s premier sponsorships – on sporting, music, cause-related, broadcast and other platforms.
May 11, 2020
Following the call for nominations for the position of President of Basketball Ireland, one nomination was received within the prescribed timeline.
Accordingly, Basketball Ireland has confirmed that candidate, PJ Reidy, is accepted unopposed as in order, and he will assume this position once ratified at the Annual General Meeting of Basketball Ireland, which will provisionally take place on Saturday, 5th September 2020. Once ratified, he will become the 25th President of Basketball Ireland, taking over from outgoing President, Theresa Walsh, who has served two fantastic terms since assuming the role in 2016.
PJ Reidy is well known in Irish basketball circles, having made a huge contribution to the game for many years and is heavily involved in school’s basketball. He is the secretary of the Post Primary School Committee and represents the PPSC on the Basketball Ireland Council. Reidy also helps to run the fixtures of several regional competitions for school’s basketball. He has served as Head of Delegation to Irish Schools teams in the World Schools Championships and has been team manager for various international underage teams. He is also a referee, a coach, a regional organiser for the Midlands Region and a proud founding member of Dublin Lions BC.
Reidy was also recently recognised for his outstanding contributions to basketball when he was named the Post Primary Schools Tom Collins award winner in the 2019/2020 Basketball Ireland Annual Awards.
Commenting on the announcement, PJ Reidy said; “I am delighted to become the next President of Basketball Ireland. Basketball has been a huge part of my life for three decades and I am very much looking forward to the opportunity to give back to the basketball community in Ireland. I would also like to pay tribute and acknowledge the work of the outgoing President, Theresa Walsh, who has been a fantastic leader for the past number years.’
Commenting on the announcement, outgoing President of Basketball Ireland, Theresa Walsh said; “It has been a real honour to serve as President of Basketball Ireland for the last four years and I would like to thank all my colleagues for their support. I wish PJ the very best for his upcoming tenure as President and have no doubt that he will be a great success for Basketball Ireland.”
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Jenny Kelly, Community Relations Manager and Women in Sport Lead
E: jkelly@basketballireland.ie
M: 085 107 6806
May 7, 2020
Cycling Ireland are delighted to announce that with the slight ease in restrictions surrounding outdoor exercise, they are introducing Virtual Solo Bike Rides.
Virtual Bike Rides are solo bike rides that you sign up to take part in on your own, within a 5km radius of your home which you will get credited for completing. So you can earn rewards while you cycle!
Anyone who is a member of AXA Community Bike Rides can sign up to take part in a ride on their own at ANY time that suits them on that specific day. To get credited for completing the bike ride, they must submit a picture from their ride to axacommunitybikerides@cyclingireland.ie within 24hrs of completing the ride or alternatively tag AXA Community Bike Rides in their picture on Facebook, so that we can then use these images to further promote on social media the opportunity to participate.
Although we can’t ride together in our local communities, we can ride as individuals as part of this virtual community and look to stay connected during this time. For those who aren’t members, they can simply join for free by registering their details on https://www.axacommunitybikerides.com/members/join
Click here to view the upcoming solo rides or alternatively go to the Find a Ride page and select ‘Virtual Rides’ from the drop down menu.
Apr 30, 2020
- Additional 500,000 regular walkers; 450,000 runners; 220,000 cyclists
- Percentage of inactive adults drops 8% from same period in 2019
- Active adults report significantly higher levels of self-rated physical health compared to inactive adults.
Irish people are partaking in more individual sport and recreational walking during the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions. That was the key finding of research published today by Sport Ireland, which shows a surge in numbers walking, cycling and running since the restrictions were put in place in March.
The research, conducted by Ipsos MRBI on behalf of Sport Ireland, reveals that Irish adults have adapted remarkably well in keeping up their sport and recreational walking habits during this difficult period. More adults are now active than previously despite the restrictions, and the increase in recreational walking in particular has been profound.
The survey was undertaken in three waves: 28 February-9 March, 16-31 March; and 1-13 April. The “Delay” phase of Ireland’s response to Covid-19 commenced on 12 March (school closures, limited outdoor gatherings, work from home if possible, etc) while the “Stay at Home” enhanced restrictions phase commenced on 27 March. 1,009 respondents took part in Waves 1 and 3, and 1,003 took part in Wave 2.
By Wave 3, 78% of Irish adults were reporting that they were walking for recreation at least once per week. This is roughly equivalent to an additional 500,000 regular recreational walkers compared to the numbers of reported walkers during March and April of 2019.
There were also large increases in the numbers of runners and cyclists compared to the same period last year. The research shows that this approximately equates to an additional 450,000 regular runners and 220,000 regular cyclists.
The research found that the gender gap in participation in sport at present is virtually non-existent; however, the social gradients in sport are still as strong as ever.
Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin TD, welcomed the publication: “The findings of the research commissioned by Sport Ireland are extremely positive. During these uncertain and unprecedented times, it is highly encouraging that Irish adults are seeking to look after their own health and well-being. It is important that people continue to do this by taking part in regular sport and physical activity, while observing the necessary physical distancing and 2km radius restrictions.
“The decline in the number of inactive people is also welcome and in line with measures outlined in the National Sports Policy. I commend the great work being done by the National Governing Bodies for Sport and the Sport Ireland Local Sports Partnership Network in providing opportunities and guidance on staying physically active. These organisations will continue to have a big role to play in keeping Ireland physically active and participating in sport once the current restrictions are eased.”
As a result of this increased activity, the proportion of inactive adults was down to 14% by wave 3, compared to 19% in wave 1 and 22% in March / April 2019.
Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, John Treacy, commented: “Like all areas of society, the current sporting landscape bears no resemblance to what we had envisaged at the beginning of the year. While our playing fields, stadia and training facilities lay idle for the moment, what is encouraging is that evidence suggests that people are substituting their usual sporting activity with regular recreational walking and other individual activities. Increases in walking, running and cycling mean that overall levels of sports participation are similar to what they were during the same period in 2019. The sports sector has reacted quickly to the ongoing situation, with innovative programmes and initiatives being developed to help people stay active safely.”
Those who are active are more likely to report significantly better physical health than the inactive, evidencing the important role sport and physical activity plays in the promotion of the health of the nation.
Kieran O’Leary, Director of Ipsos MRBI who carried out the research, added: “What is interesting about the research is that it demonstrates the adaptability of the nation in dealing with the introduction of significant restrictions and disruption to everyday life. We saw a decline in the numbers of people partaking in sport and physical activity between wave 1 and wave 2 of the research, before significantly rebounding in wave 3. This suggests that people looked to replace their regular activities, which have been impacted by the restrictions, with alternative activities. The research shows that sport and physical activity remains a key component in people’s lives, despite the challenges the ongoing situation presents.”
Download ‘Impact of Covid-19 Restrictions on Sport and Recreational Walking’ here.
ENDS.
For Further Information:
David Gash
Communications Manager, Sport Ireland
087-2277643
dgash@sportireland.ie
