Dec 5, 2024
Nominate Your Local Club Volunteer and Be In with a Chance to Win €200 for Your Club
Calling all sports clubs and communities! Do you have a dedicated volunteer who goes above and beyond to make sport happen in your area? Now’s your chance to celebrate their commitment and give back to your club.
🏆 Nominate today at www.volunteersinsport.ie
📍 Volunteers from all 32 counties will be honoured
💰 €200 donation to each county recipient’s club
⏰ Entries close December 17th, 2024
The Volunteers in Sport Awards, hosted by the Federation of Irish Sport in partnership with the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships, recognise and celebrate the extraordinary contributions of Ireland’s 460,000+ volunteers. These individuals dedicate their time, energy, and passion to their clubs and communities, which supports 1.47 million sports club members around the country to be active and engaged in sport.
Why Nominate?
- Celebrate a local hero: Shine a light on someone who makes a difference in your club or community.
- Win €200 for your club: Every county winner will secure a cash donation to directly support their affiliated club or sporting organisation.
- National Recognition: Winners from each of Ireland’s 32 counties will be honoured for their contributions.
Volunteers play a vital role not only in Ireland’s sporting success, but by contributing an estimated €1.5 billion in economic value annually. This is your chance to say, “thank you” and showcase their incredible impact. Don’t miss the chance to make your local sports volunteer feel truly valued.
Nominations are open now until December 17th, 2024. Visit www.volunteersinsport.ie to submit your nomination today.
Let’s celebrate those who are #DedicatedToTheDedicated.
Act now! Nominate a volunteer, give them the recognition they deserve, and help support your club. Visit www.volunteersinsport.ie today!
Nov 12, 2024
Pictured above: Mary O’Connor CEO Federation of Irish Sport, Olympian Sarah Lavin, Phelim Mackin Coordinator Limerick Sports Partnership
Double Olympic hurdler Sarah Lavin was on hand to lend her voice to the launch of the 2024 Volunteers in Sport Awards, a national celebration of the extraordinary individuals who contribute to the vibrant fabric of Irish sports.
Hosted by the Federation of Irish Sport and supported by the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships these prestigious awards recognise the selfless volunteers who dedicate their time, skills, and passion to support sports clubs and community organisations across Ireland.
- Supported by the Sport Ireland National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships
- Nominations open from 12th November – 17th December 2024
- To nominate a volunteer visit volunteersinsport.ie
- #dedicatedtothededicated
The 2024 Volunteers in Sport Awards will bring together individuals from all 32 counties to celebrate their commitment to fostering participation and ensuring that sport is accessible to all. Their contributions not only inspire communities but also enable clubs and organisations to thrive, supporting social cohesion and well-being across Ireland. Without their dedication, many sporting opportunities simply would not exist. Nominations are now open and the awards celebration will take place in Dublin in February 2025.
Ambassador for the 2024 Awards Track and field star and double Olympian Sarah Lavin commented: “High performance sport in Ireland as well as grassroots relies so heavily on volunteers. We cannot take for granted the time and dedication of people who step up and volunteer on a weekly basis. They deserve to be celebrated for the positive change they bring to communities across Ireland. It’s truly an honour to support this celebration of the people who make sport possible for all of us at every level.”
In every corner of the country, from city centres and suburbs to rural villages, over 460,000 volunteers work tirelessly each week to bring sport and physical activity to life for people of all ages*. The impact of their work is profound, providing multi-generational opportunities to engage in sport, build communities, and promote healthy lifestyles. The economic value of their contribution is estimated to be worth €1.5bn to the Irish economy**.
“The goodwill and work of volunteers cannot be taken for granted,” said Mary O’Connor CEO Federation of Irish Sport. “These awards are our chance to say thank you and in acknowledging the incredible efforts volunteers make, ensure that we continue to encourage more people to get involved and safeguard the future of sport in the country.”
The Volunteers in Sport Awards is a vital opportunity to recognise their efforts and to shine a light on the invaluable contribution they make to Irish sport and society.
A National Network of Support
Supporting the awards is the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships. Limerick Sports Partnership Coordinator Phelim Macken remarked: “The event is proudly supported by the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs), which work to increase participation in sport and physical activity by breaking down barriers and encouraging inclusivity. Through the work of the partnerships, more people across Ireland are getting active, and the Volunteers in Sport Awards is a fitting tribute to those who help make this possible”.
Nomination Process
Nominations for the 2024 Volunteers in Sport Awards are open from Tuesday, 12th November 2024, until Tuesday, 17th December 2024. Members of the public are encouraged to nominate deserving volunteers from their club or sporting organisation who have made a significant contribution or impact to their local club or community. For more information and to submit a nomination, visit www.volunteersinsport.ie
ENTRIES NOW LIVE!
*Sport Ireland – Irish Sports Monitor 2023
** Sport Ireland – Economic Value of Sport Report 2021
Nov 6, 2024
• New Plan designed to progress the National Sports Policy
• Enhanced focus on disability in sport, local sports plans, the volunteer sector and narrowing the gender participation gap
• Publication follows landmark Budget 2025 which doubled sports funding compared to 2018 levels two years ahead of schedule
Today (6 November 2024), the Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne TD, published the Sports Action Plan 2024-2027. The new Plan has been published with the aim of ensuring the continued development and success of Irish sport. 47 specific initiatives are set out under the Plan with the intention of further advancing the National Sports Policy, which was published in 2018, and concludes in 2027. The National Sports Policy committed the Government to doubling funding in sport to more than €220 million by 2027, compared to 2018 levels, but this target has been reached two years ahead of schedule, with Budget 2025 having allocated over €230 million for sport. The new Sports Action Plan continues the strong focus of the Government on boosting participation levels in sport and physical activity and it also includes a number of new specific actions that focus on other important priorities. The ongoing necessity to address enduring challenges for youth and disability participation in sport is a prominent feature of the new Plan. In addition, there is a stronger focus on sectoral and environmental sustainability.
Some highlights of the new Sports Action Plan include:
· Supporting the roll-out of Local Sports Plans in each Local Authority.
· Developing the Volunteering in Sport sector.
· Appointment of a Disability in Sport Lead by Sport Ireland.
· Reviewing disability sport funding and approach.
· Researching scope to introduce design improvements in sports facilities to meet the specific needs of women and girls in sport.
· Improving the linkage between sporting bodies and schools and maximising community access to sports facilities in schools.
· Support development of camogie and hurling in accordance with its special cultural designation by UNESCO.
To read the full Plan click here.
The plan was developed by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport, Gaeltacht and Media with the assistance of Sport Ireland and a Sports Leadership Group, which is convened by the Department and chaired by Minister Byrne.
Launching the plan, Minister Thomas Byrne said:
“The publication of the new Sports Action Plan underlines the commitment and determination of the government to increase our participation levels in sport and physical activity. In order to meet our ambitious participation targets, we need to promote a ‘Sport for All’ approach and the publication of this new plan is one way in which we are working to tackle the participation gap where it exists, such as among people with a disability.
The new Sports Action Plan advances the significant progress made to date under the National Sports Policy when it comes to increasing our participation levels, developing high performance sport in Ireland and in improving the governance and capacity of the sport sector. Budget 2025 also represented a landmark moment for Irish sport when funding for sport was more than doubled compared to 2018 levels, which meant that a key priority under the National Sports Policy was met, two years ahead of schedule.”
Minister Byrne added:
“In my dual role as Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education, I recognise how important it is to get people involved in sport from a young age and fundamentally, to find ways to encourage them to stay involved throughout their life.
The new Sports Action Plan includes a strong focus on developing the link between sport and education, involving a series of actions to support such initiatives, as the Active School Flag programme, as well endeavouring to maximise community access to sports facilities in schools.”
Nov 5, 2024
Partners of the Federation 2into3 were successful in securing funding worth €43million for 13 clients. A massive congratulations to their clients on their success in LSSIF 2024 grant allocations. A total of 13 clients were successful in this funding round and received €43.25 million, which is a monumental achievement for a range of NGBs, County Councils, Universities and sports organisations across Ireland. Undoubtedly, this funding will be transformative for a range of sports facilities and will have a significant impact on their communities.
Naturally while they were pleased with the success of many, they note that not everyone was successful in this round. However, it is encouraging to see that a reserve list has been created and they look forward to learning more about how this will be implemented.
Patricia Keenan, Director of Funding, 2into3
We’re thrilled for our clients on their recent success in securing over €43 million in funding LSSIF. We understand that unfortunately, there is some disappointment from certain applicants and await updates from the reserve list. It’s been a pleasure to work with a range of projects from their initial stages of development. This funding will undoubtedly have a transformative impact on Irish sports infrastructure and communities across the country. Once again, congratulations to all involved and the real work of getting your projects implemented can commence!
Dennis O’Connor, CEO, 2into3
The overall level of funding available was significantly less than the demand, €173m vs €660m and 35 out of 90 applicants (39% of applicants) have been allocated funding so far. We are delighted that 60% of clients we supported secured an allocation and we will continue to work with those on reserve list to secure funding that reflects the scale of investment needed in Sports Infrastructure.
Nov 4, 2024
There was welcome news today for those who were successful under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund across a multitude of sporting activities. Congratulations to those in receipt of the funding and the communities set to benefit from the improved local facilities.
· €173 million Allocated to Major Sports Projects
· Minister Catherine Martin and Minister Thomas Byrne announce €173 million in grants for 35 projects across Ireland under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).
· Record allocation under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund follows record funding announced under the Community Sport Facilities Fund
· New “use it or lose it” funding rule to ensure the most effective spend and new requirement to ensure similar access for women and men to all sports facilities
· Remaining valid LSSIF applications to be placed on Reserve List for funding as additional LSSIF funding becomes available.
The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin T.D., and the Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne T.D., announced today (4 November 2024) the second round of funding allocations under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). This follows the first LSSIF round of allocations announced in January 2020.
The total amount of grants awarded is €173 million, benefiting 35 individual projects. With this announcement, the cumulative investment from the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund since 2020 now reaches €297 million. A comprehensive list of the successful applications is included here.
The current allocation of €173 million follows earlier announcements this year, which included €26 million for sports equipment and €230 million under the Community Sport Facilities Fund, bringing the total investment in sports capital and recreation for 2024 to €429 million.
All applications submitted under the LSSIF Fund were required to have the prioritised endorsement of a National Governing Body for Sport (NGB) or a Local Authority. This prioritisation was one of a number of factors taken into account in the assessment and ultimate ranking of projects. It was informed by factors such as the potential to enhance sports participation, sustainability, similar access for both men and women, and the ability to execute the project within a specified timeframe.
A number of sporting disciplines will benefit under this round of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund, including football; Gaelic games; athletics; basketball; rugby; hockey; swimming and water-based sports; cricket; golf; and cycling.
In parallel, though outside of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund, funding towards the design costs will be allocated to swimming pool projects in Buncrana and Mullingar, to assist the projects. This has been done given the strategic importance of developing swimming pool infrastructure, in line with the recently-published National Swimming Strategy.
Projects allocated LSSIF funding will now proceed to further evaluation and due diligence processes, which will vary in extent and nature based on the size and specifics of each project.
A new “use it or lose it” clause has been introduced which will ensure that if there has been no drawdown of any part of a grant within 2-3 years (timelines may vary from project to project), or before a new LSSIF round is announced, the grant offer will be deemed withdrawn.
In relation to the LSSIF applications which have not received an allocation, the Department will publish a reserve list in the coming period on which all valid applications will be placed and assessed. When additional LSSIF funding becomes available, it is envisaged that projects on the reserve list can then be funded.
Speaking at the announcement today, Minister Martin said:
“The advantages of engaging in sports, regardless of age, are profound both mentally and physically. To meet our ambitious goals of increasing participation in sports, it is essential to have facilities like these.
The Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund plays a crucial role in our strategy to enhance physical activity and well-being among the population. By investing in these significant projects, we are ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background or ability, has access to high-quality sports facilities. This funding will help to create a legacy of sporting excellence in Ireland, inspiring future generations to engage in physical activity and pursue their sporting ambitions.
Through this unprecedented investment, the government is establishing a foundation for a more promising future in sports and recreation, emphasising accessibility, sustainability, and community engagement.
The journey towards building a more active and healthier nation continues, and these projects will play a crucial role in achieving that vision. The standard of facilities has also improved greatly through Government investment in recent years and I have no doubt that these facilities will inspire more people to participate in sport in the future. I look forward to see this funding in action”.
Speaking at the announcement today, Minister Byrne said:
“This funding underscores our commitment as a Government to seeing sport prosper in communities across Ireland. The major sports projects funded under this round of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund encompass a wide variety of sports and activities, reflecting the varied sporting interests of communities nationwide. From multi-sport complexes to specialised facilities for individual sports, these investments aim to cater to the needs of athletes, clubs, and local communities.
The Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund emphasises the significance of collaboration among government entities, local authorities, and national governing bodies in enhancing sports infrastructure. Through cooperative efforts, these organisations can ensure that funding is allocated to projects that will most effectively promote sports participation and community development.
Inclusivity in sports is paramount and thanks to the implementation of the new Similar Access Requirement, we have ensured that women and men will enjoy similar access to all sports facilities, which are publicly funded.
As a government, we are dedicated to offering opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities to engage in sport. The record investment in sport facilities announced this year under both the Community Sport Facilities Fund and Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund illustrates our ongoing commitment. I am confident that these projects will create new and enhanced opportunities for individuals of all ages and backgrounds to participate in sports to the fullest extent”.
In welcoming the announcement, the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe T.D., said:
“The funding announced today under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund demonstrates the Government’s strong commitment to investing in our sports facilities. Sport enriches our lives and provides immeasurable benefits to community life. I greatly look forward to seeing the major sports projects supported under this round of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund coming to fruition for the benefit of communities across Ireland.”
Oct 18, 2024
The Federation of Irish Sport is pleased to welcome the announcement of Ireland’s first-ever Major International Sports Events Policy and Strategy Framework. This publication is an important milestone for Irish sport as overarching vision is set out for the hosting of major international sports events and seeks to build on Ireland’s success in hosting major international sports events to date. The Federation looks forward to further supporting stakeholder consultations and contributing in a positive way to the development of future practices and structure around the bidding and hosting of major international events.
The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, and the Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne TD, have today published a new government policy and strategy framework for the hosting of Major International Sports Events.
This is the first policy of its kind in Ireland and follows a comprehensive public consultation process, including direct engagement with sports bodies, consultation with key stakeholders and a review of comparable policies in other jurisdictions.
The publication of the Major International Sports Events Policy and Strategy Framework stems from a commitment under the Programme for Government to develop a strategy to identify the type of major sporting events Ireland can and should bid for and how these events can be used to increase sporting participation, encourage domestic and international tourism, and promote Ireland.
The policy, in both Irish and English, can be found here
Speaking today, Minister Catherine Martin said:
“It is important that when we invest in Major Sports Events we are clear about the benefits we wish to achieve from that investment. This policy and strategy framework will guide officials, national governing bodies of sport and event promoters in developing proposals for major international sports events to deliver optimal outcomes and benefits.
“Sport-related tourism is a very significant element of world tourism, with a multi-million euro market and a huge potential for countries who position themselves correctly. Major International Sports Events provide a unique opportunity to highlight the island of Ireland as a wonderful holiday destination, as well as a top location for sporting events.”
Minister Thomas Byrne added:
“Ireland has proven its ability to successfully host major international sports events on numerous occasions in the past and the publication of this policy seeks to build on that success. As well as being great sporting occasions in themselves, major international sports events have the potential to drive participation in sport and create meaningful sporting legacies. They contribute to trade, tourism, community engagement, regional development and economic growth. These events also drive national pride by placing Ireland on the global stage and affect both how we see ourselves as a nation and how we are viewed internationally.
“In publishing Ireland’s first-ever Major International Sports Events Policy and Strategy Framework, the Government is setting out a more strategic approach when it comes bidding for, and hosting, major international sports events. We want to maximise the benefits for Ireland and ensure a lasting sports participation legacy whenever Ireland hosts such events. I look forward seeing this work further advanced.”
