Jul 12, 2019
DUBLIN, IRELAND – Ireland Lacrosse has announced its roster for the Women’s Senior National Team, which is set to compete in the ELF European Championship, in Netanya, Israel from 16-25 July 2019. The Ireland team enters the tournament ranked 5th in Europe. The Green Machine will compete in the Blue Division against other women’s lacrosse powerhouses including England, Wales, Scotland, Israel and Germany.
The team returns nine players from the 2017 World Cup, and two players from the 2015 European Championship. Six players will be seeking their first cap as members of the Irish National Team.
Cacki Helmer has taken the reins as Head Coach, and will lead the team in her 3rd tournament on staff. Hilary Bowen O’Dougherty and Catherine Conway also return for their 3rd international tournament. Alyson Neagle returns as Athletic Trainer/Physio after a superb performance at the 2017 World Cup.
Coach Helmer “Our 2019 European Championships team will feature several key veteran players, as well as some fresh faces to the National Team. The promise of our program’s potential rises each year, and with new players working their way onto our Senior National Team, we are reminded of the rewards of hard work and the growth of the game of lacrosse. Much of the growth of our game in Ireland is due to the passion and motivation of our senior players. It is with this drive and determination to spread lacrosse throughout Ireland that we have high hopes as a coaching staff for a successful 2019 European Championship run.”
Jul 12, 2019
Freelancer Niamh Griffin wins the monthly Investec 20×20 Media Award with feature on the emerging importance of PE for sports participation for teenage girls
Niamh Griffin is the Investec 20×20 Media Awards winner for the month of June. Niamh is a freelance journalist, writing mainly about health and sport. Her work appears regularly in The Irish Times (sports pages) and The Irish Mail on Sunday in Ireland. Prior to that, she was the health correspondent for the Irish Mail on Sunday while she continues to write for The BMJ in the UK.
Niamh’s winning article published in the Irish Times entitled: “Leaving Certificate PE is a whole new ball game” is an enticing examination on the potential impact of PE becoming a Leaving Certificate subject. With compelling insights and anecdotes from a range of sources, it debates how the newly adopted Leaving Cert subject could pave the way for more teenage girls to find their sport by securing access to a wider variety of activities in a more formal and structured manner, thus reducing the high dropout rate for girls from sport.
Anna Kessel, Investec 20×20 Media Awards judging panel Chair, said: “It’s great to see the issue of school sport, and how to better engage girls in particular, given a prominent placing in a major publication like the Irish Times. This is a story that can encourage a change in attitudes to physical activity at a time when our kids are less active than ever. As someone who is unfamiliar with Irish state exams, it was great to read about the positive implications of PE becoming a Leaving Cert subject and how it will hopefully curb dropout rates for girls from sport. This new curriculum represents an exciting opportunity for more sports to reach new audiences and change the landscape of school sport for the 21st century.”
Michael Cullen, CEO, Investec said: “Niamh Griffin’s piece not only highlights the importance of physical education for teenage girls and keeping them moving but also emphasises the opportunities for girls to find their place and how they can fit into sport. Whether that’s learning how to coach their peers or harnessing technology to help improve physical performance, physical education can now help address many of the important issues highlighted by the 20×20 initiative.”
Mary O’ Connor, CEO, Federation of Irish Sport added: “The Federation of Irish Sport welcomed the introduction of PE as a Leaving Certificate subject. Niamh’s article rightly points out how it will give girls the opportunity to take greater control while improving their knowledge and personal skills in sports and exercises of their choice. In doing so, it will enable girls to learn about how best to prepare their body and mind to enjoy sport and have a pathway to excel if that is their desire.”
The Investec 20×20 Media Awards recognise and reward excellence in Irish journalism focused on Women in Sport. Investec is a proud sponsor of 20×20, an initiative presented by The Federation of Irish Sport which calls on the people of Ireland to provide more support for women in sport. In demonstrating its commitment to the initiative, Investec has created this new awards scheme to help change the perceptions of women’s sport. The Investec 20×20 Media Awards recognises that increased visibility will lead to greater cultural recognition of girls and women in sport.
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For media enquiries please contact The Reputations Agency, (01) 661 8915: Gareth Field, 087 897 5484 gareth@thereputationsagency.ie or Catherine Walsh, 087 268 9532, catherine@thereputationsagency.ie.
The winning article can be found online at: https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/leaving-certificate-pe-is-a-whole-new-ball-game-1.3885222
To put forward an entry for July Investec 20×20 Media Award and to win €1,000, please visit: https://www.investec.com/en_ie/welcome-to-investec/press/2019-investec-media-awards.html.
Jul 11, 2019
Rowing Ireland has launched their funding initiative Greenblades
10/07/19
Rowing Ireland has launched Greenblades, this new initiative has been created to help fund the Junior, Under 23 and Developmental Teams by means of donations. Currently, developmental rowers rely on support from their family and friends as well as Rowing Ireland in order to compete at the highest level for their country.
It takes a lot to be an international rower and our stars like Sanita Puspure, Paul and Gary O’Donovan have been supported on their development before they reached the level that they are at today.
Greenblades will ensure that athletes who are representing Ireland will be supported to reach their full potential and can compete at the highest level possible.
Rowing Ireland’s Chief Executive Officer, Michelle Carpenter said “It is key that we do everything to support our up and coming athletes as we prepare to successfully support their future careers by giving them the opportunity to row in Paris and beyond.
These athletes are the future of Irish Rowing and we need not only to think about the next two years but also about the next four and eight years.
Rowing should be accessible to everyone who wants to compete, be it at Domestic or High-Performance level, and with this, in mind, we need to ensure that we support them in every way possible.”
Donations for our athletes can be made: www.greenblades.ie
All donations will go directly to the athletes who will be competing at U23 Championships in Sarasota USA and Junior World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
ENDS
Video for Launch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFaOOoxWjps
Jul 10, 2019
Press release – 10 July 2019
Ireland’s sports organisations call for urgent reform of the insurance sector
The Alliance for Insurance Reform, the group which brings together representative bodies from the not-for-profit, charity, sports and small and medium-sized business sectors across Ireland, has today been joined by two major new member organisations – Sport Ireland and the Federation of Irish Sport. Both organisations are calling for an end to crippling insurance costs which have become a significant issue for sporting bodies and sports activity throughout Ireland.
Director of Participation and Ethics at Sport Ireland Una May said: “On a daily basis we are hearing how risk aversion due to the fear of claims is having a prohibitive effect on the work of our National Governing Bodies for Sport and Local Sports Partnerships. Their ability to develop new and innovative programmes to engage people in sport and increase participation in physical activity is being curtailed significantly. We are also seeing situations where organisations and groups are having difficulty in securing insurance in the first instance.
Dr May continued: “Sport Ireland has joined the Alliance for Insurance Reform as we feel that if the current trend continues, it will have a damaging effect on the sporting landscape at all levels, from major national and international events to everyday club activities. Our sporting organisations, clubs, athletes and volunteers need to be protected from the devastating impact of rising insurance costs and the fear of claims. Real and substantive change is required now.”
Federation of Irish Sport CEO Mary O’Connor said: “The Federation of Irish Sport has joined together with the Alliance for Insurance Reform in response to our members’ concerns about rising insurance premiums.
“In a recent survey conducted by the Federation, 97% of our members revealed that their insurance premiums have gone up in the last 5 years on average by 45%. In one instance a member’s insurance has gone up by 108% in that time frame. Insurance is becoming an increasing burden for all our sporting bodies and will continue to have a negative impact on the delivery of sport and physical activity opportunities in Ireland and the situation urgently needs to be addressed.
“Based on these concerns we have acted to represent our sporting bodies at the table of the Alliance for Insurance Reform in the hope of seeing meaningful and lasting change made to address these ever-increasing costs. We are committed to working with our members and those involved in the insurance industry to make the necessary changes so that sport can continue to function at its best in Ireland”.
Peter Boland, spokesperson for the Alliance for Insurance Reform, said: “It is a damning indictment of Ireland’s insurance crisis that two significant national sporting bodies feel obliged to join our Alliance.
Crippling insurance costs are pervasive across all areas of Irish society and despite the varied make-up of our Alliance members, one common thing is threatening their ability to function day to day – rising insurance premiums.
“The slow pace of reform to address the insurance crisis is seriously threatening the survival of these bodies’ members and countless other civic, voluntary and business groups yet we still haven’t seen any real changes that will reduce premiums for policy holders.”
Boland added: “Despite all the promises we have heard, we have yet to see tangible evidence of reforms that will make a real difference. Reforms like the establishment of a fully-funded and resourced Garda response to fraudulent claims, a meaningful reduction in the level of general damages being awarded for minor, fully-recovered injuries or a commitment from the insurance industry to quantify the scale of promised premium reductions.”
With the arrival of the Federation of Irish Sport and Sport Ireland, the Alliance for Insurance Reform now brings together 28 civic and business organisations from across Ireland, representing over 36,000 members, 640,000 employees and 493,000 volunteers in demanding rapid action to end crippling insurance costs.
Jun 28, 2019
Sport Ireland
Media Release
28th June 2019
For Immediate Release
Sport Ireland Publishes 2018 Local Sports Partnerships Annual Report
Sport Ireland today published the 12th annual Sport Ireland Local Sports Partnerships Annual Report on the national network of Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs).
The report provides an overview of the work of the 29 LSPs across the country, and highlights the innovative good practice projects and programmes that are being operated locally.
Over €21 million was invested in the LSP network, including benefit in kind funding.
Speaking at the launch of the LSP Annual Report in Killarney, Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin TD said: “The work of the Local Sports Partnership Network is vital in providing opportunities and increasing participation, particularly among those sectors of society which are underrepresented in sport. This work is making a substantial contribution to the health and wellbeing of individuals, local communities and the wider population. The 2018 Annual Report of the Local Sports Partnership Network puts a spotlight on the many innovative local projects which are being undertaken across the country which provide an opportunity for all members of society, young and old, to take part in a wide range of sport and physical activities.”
Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, John Treacy, said: “One of Sport Ireland’s key priorities for the Local Sports Partnership network is the sustainable development within the local sports infrastructure; this report shows that LSPs are doing vital work with clubs and groups ensuring that structures are in place to allow people across the various target groups to participate in sport. I would like to thank all of the agencies, groups and individuals who have contributed to this report, and to those who were involved in the delivery of the programmes and projects at local level.”
Sport Ireland Director of Participation and Ethics, Dr. Una May, added: “Increasing participation across every age group and from all social backgrounds throughout Ireland is one of the key aims of Sport Ireland. The 2018 Local Sports Partnerships Annual Report highlights the many great initiatives and projects run by the LSPs to remove barriers that hinder participation in sport and physical activity. Sport Ireland, through the Local Sports Partnership network, will continue to take a strategic approach with regard to programme delivery, continuing to place a strong emphasis on monitoring and evaluation of the programmes delivered.”
The full 2018 LSP Annual Report can be viewed here.
2018 LSP Annual Report Highlights:
- 29 Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs)
- 390,571 people participated in 1,229 locally delivered participation initiatives
- 25,138 females took part in 134 local Women in Sport initiatives
- 17,500 people took part in Operation Transformation 5k Fun Run and Nationwide Walks
- 24,697 children took part in The Daily Mile with LSP support
- 2,368 Clubs/Groups were supported by LSPs
- LSPs planned and delivered 311 training and education courses, 23,892 people participated on these training courses
- 9,037 completed 512 Safeguarding Courses
- 25 LSPs were supported with Community Sports Development Officer positions
- 21 LSPs were supported with Sports Inclusion Disability Officer positions
- Over €21m was invested in the LSP network, including benefit in kind funding
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Further Information:
David Gash, Communications Manager, Sport Ireland
Email: dgash@sportireland.ie Phone: 087-2277643
Jun 27, 2019
Ireland take 3rd place after Scottish Thriller
Ireland reached the silver match in the CEV Continental Cup in Bettystown, Ireland.
The Irish due of O’Regan and Kaczmarek lost 21-12, 21-18 in a competitive encounter against Scotland’s top team. Alex Gibbons and Oisin McArdle then wowed the crowd with some impressive blocking at the net, before Scotland claimed the first 21-18. Ireland came back strong and dominated from now on winning the second and third 21-9 and 15-7. That win in glorious Co. Meath sunshine and packed stands setup a silver medal match Vs Ukraine.
The Ukrainians were a class above and won the first Match 21-6 and the second 21-8. O’Regan battling through the pain barrier to represent his country. Gibbons and McArdle gave them a scare in Match 2 but the Yellow & Blues ran out 21-15 winners in both matches. Sergei Popov particularly impressive.
In the Women’s pool Estonia and Denmark fought for 2nd place after Estonia beat Ireland 2-0. After yesterday’s heroics Izzy Carey and Alex Graves ran the Estonians close losing out 21-19, 21-17.
Estonia kept their form going and avenged their defeat yesterday against the Danes in comfortable 2 match win. The increased wind speed aiding their game.
It was a wonderful first event for Ireland and has set a benchmark for growing the game in the country. Crowds were consistently good throughout the weekend with many first time Volleyball spectators converted into fans.
Volleyball Ireland would like to thank all players, referees, volunteers and sponsors for their support in this historic event.
