Sport Ireland and The Federation of Irish Sport are latest members to join the Alliance for Insurance Reform in fight against crippling insurance costs

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.

Sport Ireland Publishes 2018 Local Sports Partnerships Annual Report

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

Ends.

Further Information:

David Gash, Communications Manager, Sport Ireland

Email: dgash@sportireland.ie Phone: 087-2277643

Ireland take 3rd place in CEV Continental Cup held in Bettystown

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.

ISPS Handa Vision Cup 2019 held in Portmarnock Golf Links, Dublin

Jun 27, 2019

Rest of the world team win the 2019 ISPS Handa Vision Cup in Portmarnock Golf Links, Dublin

This International Blind Golf Association event was hosted in Ireland this year, supported by Vision Sports Ireland and Northern Ireland Blind Golf Association. The event showcased 12 of the best blind golfers from North America who took on 12 of the best from around the world in a Ryder Cup style competition between 18th and 20th June 2019.
In a comprehensive victory the Rest of the World team beat the Northern American team by a score of 15.5 to 8.5.
The winning putt was sank by the long-hitting Scotsman Barry McCluskey.
The competition was intense from the off. The first two days of action took the form of 2 rounds of Pinehursts foursomes.
After day one the score was rest of the world, 4 North America, 2. Day two saw that lead rise to 7.5 against 4.5 and final score, after 12 single matches on day 3 was 15.5 to 8.5. It was a tension packed couple of days which saw large crowds from the local community following players around the course, all astonished at what they were witnessing.
Minister for Education, Joe McHugh came to Portmarnock on Wednesday and went out on the course with some of the players. He was amazed by the standard of golf at what was an exceptionally difficult links course.
In a ceremony on Thursday night visually impaired Irish Senator Martin Conway presented the winning trophy to the Rest of the World team captain, South African Garrett Slattery.

TEAM IRELAND LAUNCH EUROPEAN GAMES CAMPAIGN TODAY

Jun 21, 2019

TEAM IRELAND LAUNCH EUROPEAN GAMES CAMPAIGN TODAY

*All interviews on soundcloud*

21 June 2019

The second edition of the European Games officially opens in Minsk today. The Games run from the 21-30 June, and Team Ireland will be represented by 63 athletes across nine sports, including many of the top names in Irish sport, such as boxer Kellie Harrington, cyclist Ryan Mullen and Canoe Sprint racer Jenny Egan.

Day one will be a quiet one for Ireland with Maeve Reidy being the sole Irish representative, competing in Archery. Three boxing events had originally been scheduled for the 21 June, but the strength and talent of the Team Ireland boxers has bought them several byes to later rounds.

Speaking ahead of the event Performance Director for boxing, Bernard Dunne, said,

“Everybody is happy. Preparations for this competition have been superb. We trained in Belfast for a few weeks, it was fantastic, and great preparation for our guys. We are ready, we are as prepared as we can be. Now it’s just a matter of going out and fighting. Our guys are eager to get in, we want to get some action. We have a couple of byes, but eventually we are going to have to fight the best. It doesn’t matter if we fight them tomorrow or in a few days time; we are ready and just want to show our best. That’s what our guys want to do.”

Archery will see Reidy compete in the preliminary rounds of the Women’s Recurve Individual at 11:15 Irish time. The results from today will provide the seeding for the 1/32 Elminiation Rounds on the 25 June for the Dubliner.

Team Leader for Archery, Martin Cunningham explains what to expect today,

“In the Preliminary Rounds archers shoot 72 arrows, their score from these rounds will rank them one to forty eight, basically this will then give them a seeding which will see them compete in brackets, like you see in football or boxing. Archers then go head to head in five round matches, where they shoot three arrows in each match. At the end of the match the winner gets two points, loser gets zero points, and a draw gives you one point. The first person who reaches six points goes through to the next round.”

The Opening Ceremony takes place in the Dinamo Stadium tonight at 18:00 Irish time. Coverage of the European Games is on eir Sport for the duration of the Games, with previews and interviews with the Irish athletes featuring throughout the competition also.

The European Games take place in Minsk, Belarus, from the 21 – 30 June, with athletes competing across nine sports, five of which are part of the Tokyo 2020 qualification journey.

DAY ONE SCHEDULE (IRISH TIME):

11:15 – Archery Maeve Reidy (Preliminary Rounds Women’s Recurve Individual)

18:00 – Opening Ceremony

-ENDS-

For more information please contact:

Olympic Federation of Ireland Public Relations Officer

Heather Boyle,

heather@olympicsport.ie,

+353 87 337 1954

TEAM IRELAND ATHLETES

SCHEDULE FOR 21 JUNE (Irish Time)

SCHEDULE FOR 22 JUNE (Irish Time)

In Minsk (GMT +3:00):

Real Time Updates 

The Olympic Federation of Ireland will be sharing real-time updates, results and content from Minsk, Belarus across its social channels.

Twitter: @TeamIreland

Instagram: @team_ireland_olympic

Facebook: @teamirelandolympic

YouTube: OlympicIRL

Soundcloud: Team Ireland

Notes to Editor

*Reserve list required by Minsk for Athletics

Daily Updates

The OFI will issue a daily press release each morning including results, quotes from the athletes and backroom team, audio interview clips, and general updates from the European Games.

Please contact Heather Boyle on heather@olympicsport.ie  to be included on the distribution list.

Broadcast Coverage

Eir Sport will be providing full coverage of the European Games, with live footage as well as highlight packages.

Photography

Sportsfile and Inpho Sports Photography will be travelling to the European Games and will be issuing photography.

Interviews

Interviews with Team Ireland athletes, coaches and support staff may be facilitated where possible on request.

Please contact Heather Boyle on heather@olympicsport.ie for specific requests.

Notes to Editor

*Reserve list required by Minsk for Athletics

Summary Team Ireland Schedule