Volunteers in Sport Winners honoured in Farmleigh House

Nov 13, 2019

Volunteers from all 32 counties honoured at Volunteers in Sport Awards (Photos at end of Press Release)

• Awards celebrate the 450,000 volunteers contributing to sport in clubs and communities across Ireland
• Swim Ireland’s Mary Dunne receives ‘outstanding contribution’ award and Limerick based Women on Wheels receives the ‘team of volunteers’ award

Volunteers from all 32 counties were honoured at today’s Volunteers in Sport Awards, hosted by the Federation of Irish Sport, in partnership with EBS, in Farmleigh House, Dublin.

The Volunteers in Sport Awards were created to recognise the contributions, commitment and dedication of the 450,000 volunteers who give their time to Irish sport each year.  This equates to approximately 37.3 million hours of volunteering across Ireland’s 14,000 registered sports clubs and associations.

Members of the public, 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 award recipients were selected by a judging panel consisting of 12 individuals drawn from sports administration, the volunteer community and media, including former Director General of the GAA, Paraic Duffy, The Irish Times sports journalist and activist, Joanne O’Riordan and former Irish rugby international, Trevor Ringland.

Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin TD was in attendance to present the awards.  In addition to the 32 county-level award winners, Swim Ireland’s Mary Dunne received the overall ‘outstanding contribution’ award and Limerick-based ‘Women on Wheels’ received the ‘team of volunteers’ award.

The award winners are as follows:

Comment

Speaking at the awards, Mary O’Connor, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport, said:

“Sport matters. It contributes to our health, binds us together as a community and supports the economy, while bringing a sense of pride to us all.

“This would not be possible without the volunteers who share their time and expertise on pitches, tracks, gym floors and swimming pools across the country each and every week.  To this end, the Volunteers in Sport Awards is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate these volunteers.   

“I would like to extend my congratulations to all our award winners and to thank Minister Griffin for attending our awards ceremony and taking the time out to help honour our award recipients.”

Commenting from the awards ceremony, Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin, TD, said:

“It was a real honour for me to attend the Volunteers in Sport Awards. As somebody who has been involved in sport at an amateur level since I was a child myself, I have always marvelled at the commitment that so many club members show to their communities up and down the country.

“It is a real privilege to recognise the contribution made by those who do so much for others in fulfilling the less glamourous but most definitely vital and often overlooked tasks involved in almost any sport you can imagine. The men and women honoured today may not be household names across the country but in their own communities they are real treasures. I was delighted to speak to many of them today. My thanks to the Federation of Irish Sport and all those who made this ceremony such a memorable occasion for all the recipients.”

According to Des Fitzgerald, CEO of EBS:

“EBS has been involved in communities in Ireland for over 80 years and are delighted to reignite our activity in communities around the country by supporting the 2019 Volunteers in Sports Awards with The Federation of Irish Sport. Through a new partnership with The Federation of Irish Sport we are delighted to celebrate volunteers in sport in Ireland and I would like to congratulate all the recipients of the 2019 Volunteers in Sports Awards. At EBS we know that our biggest asset is our people who work with customers in the community. That’s why EBS is delighted to champion the army of volunteers in sport that make sure sport happens throughout Ireland every day.”

For full details on all winners and their achievements please see https://www.irishsport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Volunteers_booklet_ONLINE_v3.pdf

For more information, visit www.volunteersinsport.ie. 

ENDS

O’Driscoll O’Neil on board with Volleyball Ireland

Nov 6, 2019

Insurance company O’Driscoll O’Neil have been revealed as a new partner of Volleyball Ireland.

The partnership will see the Dublin based firm, become the Headline sponsor of the 2019/20 Volleyball Ireland Association Cup and Shield Competitions, taking the flagship Finals in the Volleyball calendar taken to the next level.  The Cup and Shield Finals will take place on Sunday May 10^th at the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena, with the event including fun coaching sessions for juniors in between matches and entertainment to keep fans intrigued throughout the day. Improving the quality of the Finals Event is a key aim of Volleyball Ireland’s 20×20 pledge to raise the profile of Volleyball and its female players, coaches and referees.

Sports Team Manager at ODON Kathryn Reddy, was joined by Vinnie Dos Santos of defending Men’s Cup champions Dublin VC and Marie-Claire Sobogal of Shield holders UCD at today’s announcement at ODON HQ in Herbert Place.

Reddy said, “O’Driscoll O’Neil are delighted to add Volleyball to our expansive portfolio of sports. We support and encourage Volleyball Ireland’s ambitious plans to improve the Finals Event for players and supporters alike. We are excited to be a part of what will be a fantastic Event in May for clubs, fans and of course the players. O’Driscoll O’Neil take pride in being the number one Insurance provider for Sports Insurance and with over 25 years of experience within this market we are happy to offer our expertise and services to Volleyball Ireland”

General Manager of Volleyball Ireland, Gary Stewart added, “We are delighted that ODON are supporting this years Association Cup and Shield Competitions. This support will allow us to improve the production of the Finals and create an event and atmosphere that players will love competing in and fans will enjoy watching. It’s our flagship competition and our players deserve to be playing in the best venue in the country, with the stands packed to the rafters.”

National League Clubs, Recreational teams and Student Sport Ireland affiliated clubs are reminded that deadline for entries is November 20^th and can be made via the Go Membership portal (under events and courses). The Cup draw will be streamed live on November 22^nd.

Volleyball Ireland would like to thank Niall, Kathryn, Laura and the rest of the team at O’Driscoll O’Neil for their support.

Ends

2019 National Seminar for Inclusion – Last Chance to Register !!

Nov 6, 2019

Last chance to register!!

Cara in partnership with Sport Ireland are delighted to announce the 2019 National Seminar for Inclusion. The theme for this year’s seminar will be on ‘Children and Young People with Disabilities’ and will take place on Thursday November 21^st in the Castleknock Hotel Dublin. The event will consist of a combination of key note addresses and interactive breakout sessions based around the different areas where children with disabilities have the opportunity to be active; sport, physical activity, and physical education. At this year’s Seminar you will have the opportunity to hear directly from children and young people with disabilities, network, and through interactive breakout sessions discuss the various challenges and solutions facing the inclusion of children and young people in sport and physical activity.

We are inviting anyone involved in or with an interested in enhancing sport and physical activity opportunities for children and young people with disabilities to register to attend this seminar, and join us for this national event.

To learn more about the event, and to book your place online, please visit the following link: https://caracentre.ie/event/national-seminar-for-inclusion/

CLOSING DATE FOR REGISTRATION IS THURSDAY 7TH OF NOVEMBER.

Growing Stronger Together

As the saying goes, nothing about us without us!

When we initially set about planning for this event, we really took that sentiment to heart. We decided from the offset that children and young people needed to be at the core of this event, all the way from the planning of it right up to the day itself.

In the early stages, we held a consultation meeting with some children and young people, to truly understand their experiences, wishes and needs when it comes to being involved in sport and physical activity. We discussed all of their issues and experiences in terms of sport, physical activity, physical education, and being involved in the decision making process. This group of young people are also responsible for creating the title ‘Growing Stronger Together’ for this event, alongside the imagery and branding that goes alongside it. Thank you to all who have helped us shape this day!

Minister Ross Opens Sport Ireland Hockey Training Centre

Oct 30, 2019

The new state of the art hockey pitch at the Sport Ireland Campus was officially opened by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD, providing a welcome boost to Ireland’s national hockey teams ahead of their pivotal Tokyo 2020 qualification matches against Canada.

The surface is a Polytan Polygras Toyko GT surface the same surface that will be used at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and the 2022 World Cup.

Speaking at the opening today which was attended by senior international players, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD, said: “I am delighted to officially open this magnificent facility, a new high performance training pitch for Irish hockey into the future. I am sure that this new world- class hockey pitch at the Campus will be of great benefit for our teams in terms of preparing for Tokyo 2020 and beyond. I want to take this opportunity to wish all of our athletes and teams well in their bids to qualify for Tokyo and in their preparations for the Olympics and Paralympics next year.”

Construction of the pitch was completed in recent weeks and has been utilised by both squads, providing a timely boost ahead of their crucial Olympic Qualifiers.

Chairman of Sport Ireland, Kieran Mulvey, commented: “Following a remarkable period of success by our national teams, Sport Ireland is delighted to be in a position to provide world class facilities for our hockey players here on the Sport Ireland Campus. This development makes a clear statement that the Sport Ireland Campus is the home of high performance hockey in Ireland. The completion of the hockey pitch is another important milestone for Sport Ireland, which recently added Phase 2 of the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena and Irish Rugby’s training centre to the long list of world class facilities on the Sport Ireland Campus. I would like to wish both the Women’s and Men’s senior international teams the very best in their respective qualification matches against Canada.”

Both Irish senior squads have been utilising the pitch in their preparations for their upcoming Olympic qualifiers and continue to avail of the range of training supports and professional services offered by the Sport Ireland Institute.

Sport Ireland Chief Executive, John Treacy, added: “The location of the pitch here at the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus allows all national players to avail of existing science, medicine and lifestyle support services through the Sport Ireland Institute. This pitch will not only be a huge boost to them, but also to our up and coming players who will no doubt have been inspired by the recent performances of our women’s and men’s teams.”

Chair of Sport Ireland’s National Sports Campus Committee, Patrick O’Connor, said: “The opening of the Sport Ireland Hockey Training Centre is the latest world-class facility to open on the Sport Ireland Campus. The development of this new pitch alleviates the need for Irish teams to travel abroad to train, giving them access to the latest in pitch technology here in Ireland. The construction of the pitch, coupled with the other extensive facilities on the site, opens up opportunities to attract other major international teams here to the Sport Ireland Campus.”

The Ireland Men’s squad have recently travelled to Belgium for their final preparation matches ahead of their Vancouver qualifier which will take place on the 26th and 27th of October. The Women’s squad are currently in camp in their final phases of their preparations. They travel to Germany next week for a two-match series before returning home to face Canada in their Olympic qualifier on the 2nd and 3rd of November.

Speaking at the opening of the pitch, Eric Brady, Chairman of Hockey Ireland, said: “Hockey Ireland is delighted the pitch on the Sport Ireland Campus is now open. This new FIH standard pitch will be a huge asset to our international teams in their training for world class tournaments and events, especially considering its close proximity to the other Sport Ireland facilities such as the Sport Ireland Institute. This great addition to the Sport Ireland Campus will also provide a world standard, state of the art hockey surface for all Hockey Ireland’s development and underage teams to practice and compete on, as they strive to emulate the achievements of the current Women’s and Men’s teams.”

The Green Army – Ireland Senior Women – will play the only Olympic qualifier, in any sport, on Irish soil this year on the 2nd and 3rd of November. Tickets for the qualifiers can be purchased here: https://www.hockeyqualifierticketsdublin.com/

Ends.

‘Growing Stronger Together’ for CARA National Inclusion Seminar

Oct 30, 2019

‘Growing stronger together’

Date: Thursday, November 21st, 2019
Location: Castleknock Hotel, Dublin
Price: €70

Cara in partnership with Sport Ireland are delighted to announce the 2019 National Seminar for Inclusion. The theme for this year’s seminar will be on ‘Children and Young People with Disabilities’ and will take place on Thursday November 21st in the Castleknock Hotel Dublin. The event will consist of a combination of key note addresses and interactive breakout sessions based around the different areas where children with disabilities have the opportunity to be active; sport, physical activity, and physical education. At this year’s Seminar you will have the opportunity to hear directly from children and young people with disabilities, network, and through interactive breakout sessions discuss the various challenges and solutions facing the inclusion of children and young people in sport and physical activity.
This seminar is open to coaches, development, officers, leisure centre staff, teachers, SNA’s, health care professionals, disability service staff, parents or anyone involved in or with an interested in enhancing sport and physical activity opportunities for children and young people with disabilities to attend, and join us for this national event.
To learn more about the event, and to book your place online, please visit the following link: https://caracentre.ie/event/national-seminar-for-inclusion/

CLOSING DATE FOR REGISTRATION IS WEDNESDAY 6TH OF NOVEMBER.

Growing Stronger Together

As the saying goes, nothing about us without us!
When we initially set about planning for this event, we really took that sentiment to heart. We decided from the offset that children and young people needed to be at the core of this event, all the way from the planning of it right up to the day itself.
In the early stages, we held a consultation meeting with some children and young people, to truly understand their experiences, wishes and needs when it comes to being involved in sport and physical activity. We discussed all of their issues and experiences in terms of sport, physical activity, physical education, and being involved in the decision making process. This group of young people are also responsible for creating the title ‘Growing Stronger Together’ for this event, alongside the imagery and branding that goes alongside it. Thank you to all who have helped us shape this day!

STEELWELD CLAIM GALWAY BAY HOTEL SHORT MAT BOWLS CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

Oct 30, 2019

The Galway Bay Championships proved to be Mid Ulster’s continued dominance of the competition with Steelweld, formerly Cookstown Parochial, claiming the title for the sixth time and retaining it having won it 2018. This time it was far from being an easy passage their semi final and final being decided by single shots on the last bowl. While short of the highly experienced Colum McHugh, they began with a convincing win over previous winners St Mark’s by 32 – 13, In round 2, they had an equally convincing win over Gortnessey from the Foyle Zone, winning 28-12. The semi final saw them play Derramore from the North West zone winning on the last bowl 25-24. They played Wellington from Western zone who had 38-15 wins over Aclint, 38-13 over Ballylennon and 34 – 14 over Corduff from Oriel. The final saw Wellington having the upper hand with Damian McElroy’s rink keeping Steelweld in the game.With one end to go on the last mat, Wellington held a single shot lead. Steelweld’s Aaron Ward’s last bowl left his side lying two shots and Wellington’s Gary Burke just failed to change the situation with his last bowl leaving the Mid Ulster side with a narrow victory.
In the plate competition for 1st round losers it was Cooley from Oriel zone who came out on top. They had wins over Maghery from Donegal and St Mark’s from Armagh zone while their opponents Marian from Northern zone had wins over Dunluce and Rock. The final was a tight affair for the first 7 ends before Cooley pulled away to win 29-21.