Sep 5, 2019
The Federation of Irish Sport were please to welcome the announcement of Women in Sport funding allocations by Sport Ireland today, September 5th. The €3 million funding, which is split over two years, has been divided between 40 NGBs as well as additional special projects. The Federation are delighted to have received funding under the special projects allocation for a project focusing on women in sport.
We look forward to seeing the many fantastic women in sport initiatives come to life for our NGBs over the next two years and continue to improve and develop the landscape for women in sport.
Sport Ireland Press Release – 5th September 2019
Sport Ireland today announced a multi-year investment of over €3 million in National Governing Bodies of Sport through the re-launched Women in Sport Programme. This compliments the €265,000 allocated to Local Sports Partnerships earlier this year, bring Sport Ireland’s investment in Women in Sport for 2019 and 2020 to €3,277,000.
Today’s announcement follows the publication of Sport Ireland’s new Policy on Women in Sport earlier this year. The policy builds on the significant work that has already been undertaken in this area within the sport sector to date, recognising the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of women through their involvement in sport.
The Policy on Women in Sport identifies Coaching & Officiating, Active Participation, Leadership & Governance and Visibility as four key target areas, with National Governing Bodies invited to apply for funding under these themes.
Speaking at the announcement at the Sport Ireland Campus in Blanchardstown, Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin TD, said: “One of the key objectives of the Government’s National Sports Policy is to increase the number of women and girls participating in sport and to eliminate the participation gradient between men and women. While the gender gradient, at 4.5%, is narrower now than at any point over the past ten years, it is important that this gradient is eliminated altogether. Sport Ireland’s new Women in Sport Policy and the re-launched Women in Sport Programme is essential in this regard. I want to pay a particular tribute to our high profile sportswomen who continue to inspire and encourage thousands of girls and young women throughout Ireland every day to become involved in sport and to stay involved.”
Through the Women in Sport Programme, many National Governing Bodies for Sport have developed innovative programmes which target groups of young girls, teenage girls and older adults. While active participation remains important, the areas of leadership, coaching and officiating have become a key focus for many of the National Governing Bodies.
Chair of the Sport Ireland Women in Sport Steering Group, Lynne Cantwell, added: “Through the allocation of this funding, the Sport Ireland Women in Sport Policy is coming to life. While active participation remains vitally important, in line with the Women in Sport Policy Sport Ireland encouraged funded bodies to look at other areas of involvement as well. The funding process has seen National Governing Bodies embrace projects focussed on developing leadership opportunities, and pathways to coaching and officiating. This holistic approach will lead to a step-change in the landscape for women’s involvement in sport across the board from grassroots to leadership.”
A key aim of the Women in Sport programme is to have equal participation between males and females in sport. The gender gradient in sports participation has closed from 15.7% to 4.5% since 2007 according to the most recent Irish Sports Monitor (2017).
Sport Ireland Chairman, Kieran Mulvey, said: “The allocation of this substantial investment in the National Governing Bodies through the Women in Sport Programme is the first tangible deliverable of the new Women in Sport Policy, which was published earlier this year. Through moving to a multi-annual funding model, we are looking to create long lasting cultural change within the sporting landscape, where opportunities exist for girls and women of all ages, background or circumstance.”
Sport Ireland Chief Executive, John Treacy, added: “That fact that the Women in Sport funding programme was oversubscribed demonstrates the buy-in from the sector to make a meaningful impact. With the publication of the Sport Ireland Women in Sport Policy, the appointment of Nora Stapleton as Women in Sport Lead and the re-launched Women in Sport Programme, we will look to substantially increase the number of women and girls getting involved in sport.”
One of the key actions of the Sport Ireland Women in Sport Policy is the appointment of a Women in Sport Lead to act authoritatively and strategically to develop and promote women and girl’s involvement in sport. Former Irish international rugby player, Nora Stapleton, was appointed to the role in April of this year.
Sport Ireland Director of Participation and Ethics, Dr Una May, commented: “The allocation of funding is an important step in the delivery of action 32 of the National Sports Policy 2018-2027, which promotes gender diversity and equality action plans. Through the publication of the Women in Sport Policy, we are committing to increasing women’s involvement in sport in a sustainable way; whether that be as volunteers, coaches, athletes or leaders. As one of the key actions of the policy, Sport Ireland has appointed Nora Stapleton to the position of Women in Sport Lead. Nora will be a support to all of our funded bodies as their Women in Sport programmes come to life. ”
For a full list of funding allocations please see www.sportireland.ie
Sep 4, 2019
Media Release
27th August 2019
Cycling Ireland Launch AXA Community Bike Rides
Cycling Ireland has partnered with AXA Insurance to create AXA Community Bike Rides, an exciting new programme that inspires people all over the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland to get out on their bikes.
AXA Community Bike Rides are free social leisure rides for adults of all ages and abilities. A trained Ride Leader will ensure your cycle is both safe and enjoyable. Participants can choose from ‘Easy Going’ or ‘Challenging’ rides meaning there is a distance and pace to suit everyone.
Participants can earn free rewards when they take part in AXA Community Bike Rides. Rewards include buffs, water bottles and technical t-shirts and you can claim your first reward after just 10 rides.
Speaking about the programme Matt McKerrow, Cycling Ireland CEO commented: “AXA Community Bike Rides are a fantastic way for new and returning cyclists to enjoy the sport in a safe and supportive environment. We are looking forward to working with AXA to grow the AXA Community Bike Rides programme over the next 3 years and inspire even more people to enjoy the benefits of cycling.”
AXA Insurance dac CEO, Philip Bradley said: “We’re delighted to have partnered with Cycling Ireland to support local communities. AXA Community Bike Rides was developed with the purpose of inspiring people all over Ireland to get on their bikes and enjoy a healthier and better life. This local, free programme gives people the opportunity to get regular exercise in a safe and controlled environment, where the group are there to help and support each other.”
AXA Community Bike Rides participant, Dermot Gaynor is encouraging people to sign up for a local ride: “It’s great fun and a fantastic way to get regular exercise. You don’t have to be an accomplished cyclist to join in, once you are comfortable on the bike you will enjoy it.
The great thing about AXA Community Bike Rides is that you are looked after by the Ride Leader, you never feel like you’re not able for it and you make lots of new friends.”
To find a ride near you visit www.axacommunitybikerides.com
ENDS
For more information:
Scott Graham, Cycling Ireland Marketing & Communications Manager scott.graham@cyclingireland.ie | 086 021 1146
Mary Corry, AXA Community Bike Rides Development Officer
mary.corry@cyclingireland.ie | 086 890 0620
About Cycling Ireland
Cycling Ireland is the National Governing Body for cycling on the island of Ireland. With almost 30,000 members, 800 events and 450 clubs, cycling is one of Ireland’s largest participation sports.
Image Caption
Cycling Ireland has partnered with AXA Insurance to create AXA Community Bike Rides, an exciting new programme that inspires people all over Ireland to get out on their bikes.
AXA Community Bike Rides are free social leisure rides for adults of all ages. To find a ride near you visit www.axacommunitybikerides.com
Sep 2, 2019
Nominations are open for the Volunteers in Sport Awards – get your nominations in now!
Go to www.volunteersinsport.com to nominate.
Background:
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 every year. This equates to approximately 37.2 million hours of volunteering across Ireland’s 14,000 registered sports clubs and associations across country.
The Federation of Irish Sport recently announced its new partnership with EBS, the Mortgage Masters. The new partnership with EBS has afforded the Federation the opportunity to re-establish the awards for the first time since 2014.
An overall winner from each county will be selected as well as one national “team of volunteers” award. A Lifetime award to honour a volunteer who has consistently given of their time for a sport, a team, or an event over many years, will also be awarded at the ceremony, taking place on Tuesday, 12 November.
Lifetime achievement award
The Lifetime Award will be presented to a volunteer who has consistently given of their time for a sport, team or event over many years. Previous winners of the Lifetime Award include Liam Sheedy, who managed Tipperary to All Ireland Senior success in 2010, Oliver O’Neill, youth coach and father of Olympic Boxer Darren O’Neill and Dublin City Marathon organiser Jim Aughney.
How to nominate
Members of the public are invited to nominate an individual whose contribution to their sport has made a real different to their club, community or county. Nominations can be made by individuals, clubs or sporting associations via an online application form at www.volunteersinsport.ie. The deadline for applications is Friday, 27 September, 2019.
Comment
Speaking about the awards, Minister of State Brendan Griffin TD, said:
“It is important to remember that every Irish athlete currently representing their club, county or even country is a result of the hours of passion, dedication and effort that volunteers afforded them each week as they developed as players and athletes. The unparalleled commitment given by these people must be recognised and celebrated. I am delighted to launch these Sport Volunteer Awards and I urge members of the public to nominate an individual whose contribution to sport has made a real difference in their community, whether that is a coach, manager, official or administrator. These unsung heroes deserve to be celebrated and congratulated publicly.”
According to Mary O’Connor, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport:
“The first Volunteer in Sport Awards were presented in 2007 and were done so to recognise the contribution, commitment and dedication of the volunteers who give so generously of their time to sport and physical activity every year. We are delighted that EBS have partnered with us this year to make this happen for the first time in five years.
“Sport plays a central role in the social fabric of every county, constituency and parish in the country. Sport represents the largest single source of volunteering in Ireland, with over 450,000 people volunteering in sport each week, in the 14,000 sports clubs and associations in Ireland who encompass 1.7 million members”.
“The value of volunteering in sport in Ireland is unimaginable, with an estimated 37.2 million hours of unpaid voluntary work performed every year. It is these people that make sport happen in Ireland, and it is essential they are recognised, and indeed funded to ensure that sporting tradition grows even further on a national and international footing.”
Speaking about the newly established partnership, Des Fitzgerald, CEO of EBS commented;
“EBS is proud to launch an initiative that will recognise everyday heroes without whom sport in Ireland simply would not happen. This army of 450,000 volunteers go above and beyond what is asked of them every day to ensure that children, teenagers and adults remain included, active and competitive in sport.
“They are the coaches, the managers, those who wash the kit, who set up training sessions, who manage fundraising campaigns, who make tea and sandwiches, and who taxi children around their county. They are the people who open the gates to incredible opportunities. We have been involved in communities in Ireland for over 80 years and are delighted to reignite our activity in communities around the country with this unique partnership with The Federation of Irish Sport, with the Volunteer in Sport Awards being the first initiative we will work together on.”
For more information, visit www.volunteersinsport.com
ENDS
Aug 29, 2019
The 2019 Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Camogie Championships will culminate on Sunday September 8th in Croke Park and after a thrilling season there will be a changing of the guard with three new names to be engraved onto the trophies on offer at Senior, Intermediate and Premier Junior level.
The Senior Final sees Galway face Kilkenny in a rematch of this year’s National League Final which the Tribeswomen claimed and they now will look to complete a League and Championship double. Galway are in action in the Intermediate Final as well as they face Westmeath, while Kerry and Limerick will do battle in the Premier Junior Final.
We hope to see a bumper crowd in Croke Park for the Finals as we aim to break the 25,000 attendance mark and we encourage everyone to get out in their numbers and to ‘Go Together’ on what is guaranteed to be a wonderful occasion!
Sunday, September 8th 2019
Croke Park
Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Senior Championship Final
Galway v Kilkenny, Croke Park, 4.15pm
Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Intermediate Championship Final
Galway v Westmeath, Croke Park, 2pm
Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Premier Junior Championship Final
Kerry v Limerick, Croke Park, 12noon
Aug 28, 2019
JLT Ireland are insurance broker and Risk Management Advisors to the Federation of Irish Sport.
Following the recent acquisition of the JLT Group by Marsh McLennan, we are now positioned globally as one of the world largest insurance broker & Risk Management provider delivering cost effective and comprehensive insurance / Risk Management solutions.
We are proud to continue to work with the Federation of Irish Sport and strive to protect their members in a proactive and cost effective way. Our sports insurance facility is specifically designed for the National Governing bodies and tailored to specifically meet the insurance needs of our National Sports Associations, Clubs, Coaches and Participants.
We pride ourselves on knowing our clients and their business. Understanding the insurance challenges currently faced by all sporting organisations. Our knowledge around the diversity of risks and exposures allows us to tailor an insurance programme specific to our client’s needs.
We presently provide broker services to many of the National Governing Bodies and recently entered into a new partnership with the GAA when appointed as the broker for their Association. Our passionate team is excited by this expansion to our sports service and we are looking forward to the prospect of working with counties and clubs in the area of risk management over the coming years.
Sinéad Leavy, GAA Risk and Insurance Manager on behalf of the GAA Risk and Insurance Committee commented:
“The Association is very much looking forward to working with the team in Marsh / JLT so that we can continue to provide extensive Insurance coverage for our affiliated units particularly in light of the challenges facing the insurance market in Ireland which have been well documented.”
Our dedicated team are available to support our clients by delivering the highest quality of service not only at the time of your insurance renewal but right throughout he sporting year to ensure insurance does not become a barrier to performance.
Our Marsh / JLT service team contacts are detailed below:
Marsh / JLT Sports Service Team
Postal Address Phone Number Email
JLT Ireland
Cherrywood business Park
Loughlinstown
Dublin 18 01- 2026000 team-sports-charities@jlt.ie
Account Executive Team Leader
Barbara Mc Cluskey
01 202 6049 – direct dial Barbara.mccluskey@marsh.com
Business Development Executives
Tom O’Leary
01 202 6018 – direct dial Tom.oleary@marsh.com
Keith Heffernan
01 202 6041 – direct dial Keith.heffernan@marsh.com
We look forward through our partnership with the Federation of Irish Sport to engaging with you in future months regarding the insurance challenges and emerging exposures in the sports environment.
Yours in Sport,
Kind Regards
Ciaran Whelan
Head of Enterprise & Sport
Marsh / JLT Ireland
JLT Insurance Brokers Ireland Limited trading as JLT Ireland, JLT Financial Services, GIS Ireland, Charity Insurance, Teacherwise, Childcare Insurance, JLT Online, JLT Trade Credit Insurance, JLT Sport is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. JLT Ireland is a trading name of JLT Insurance Brokers Ireland Limited and is a member of the Marsh & McLennan Companies group. JLT Ireland is a private company limited by shares. We are registered in Ireland with company registration number 21622 and our registered office address is located at Cherrywood Business Park, Loughlinstown, Dublin 18.
Aug 27, 2019
A record four players from Ireland were selected by Great Britain and Ireland for the Jacques Léglise Trophy at Aldeburgh, England (30-31 August).
Joshua Hill (Galgorm Castle), Aaron Marshall (Lisburn), Tom McKibbin (Holywood) and Luke O’Neill (Connemara) were named in the nine-player team for the annual U18 match against Continent of Europe.
GB&I will be looking to defend the Jacques Léglise Trophy after they won 15.5 -9.5 at Kytäjä Golf in Finland last year. Captain Stuart Wilson has assembled a strong team with five players returning from the 2018 winning line-up, including playing captain Barclay Brown.
Among the newcomers are three Ireland players: Joshua Hill, the 2019 McGregor Trophy champion; Aaron Marshall, the Irish Boys’ Amateur champion; and Luke O’Neill, the German Boys’ Open champion.
The Continent of Europe last won the match in 2017 at Ballybunion after successfully defending the title it won in 2016 at Prince’s. Since the Jacques Léglise Trophy was first contested in 1958, GB&I has won 29 matches overall with the Continent of Europe claiming 12 victories with one match tied.
The format for the Jacques Léglise Trophy is four foursomes matches each morning, eight singles matches on the afternoon of Friday 30 August and nine singles matches on the afternoon of Saturday 31 August.
GB&I: Barclay Brown (18) (Captain), Hallamshire, England; Archie Davies (18), Carlisle, Wales; Joshua Hill (16), Galgorm Castle, Ireland; Aaron Marshall (18), Lisburn, Ireland; Tom McKibbin (16), Holywood, Ireland; Connor McKinney (17), Joondalup, Scotland; Luke O’Neill (18), Connemara, Ireland; Joseph Pagdin (17), Lake Nona, England; Benjamin Schmidt (17), Rotherham, England.
