Ministers Reveal detail of €4.5 Million Dormant Account Funding Boost

Dec 10, 2018

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD, and Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin TD, today announced an investment package of almost €4.5 million in Dormant Accounts Funding for a wide range of sport and physical activity measures countrywide.

The investment will be administered by Sport Ireland and will aim to engage with communities across the country, focusing on people with disabilities, people who are educationally disadvantaged and from disadvantaged communities.

Speaking today, Minister Ross said: “I am delighted to announce almost €4.5 million in funding for sport and physical activity measures through the Dormant Accounts Fund. In line with the new National Sports Policy, this funding will support our Local Sports Partnerships and National Governing Bodies in the delivery of a comprehensive programme of initiatives under the National Physical Activity Plan. My Department is working together with Sport Ireland, the Local Sports Partnerships and National Governing Bodies for Sport to ensure that the programme of initiatives resulting from this funding is inclusive, accessible and regionally balanced.” 

Minister Griffin added: “Sport is vital for the growth of community and social cohesiveness in disadvantaged areas, and investment in the young people in these areas has long-term benefits both for their own health and for their engagement in society generally. The investment being announced today not only means that some of the successful programmes implemented over the last three years can be continued, it also allows for new initiatives and investment in disadvantaged communities. The programmes which will be implemented as a result of this funding will contribute significantly to the health and well-being of individuals and communities at a local level around the county.”

Among the successful Dormant Accounts Fund projects announced today are five new Community Sport and Physical Activity Hubs, with additional funding for 26 existing Hubs.

Kieran Mulvey, Chairman of Sport Ireland said: “Sport Ireland is delighted with the announcement of this substantial funding towards the important sport and physical activity interventions in the community. The aim of the Community Sport and Physical Activity Hubs is to bring local people together and provide a home for local clubs and sports organisations. Supported by Sport Ireland’s network of Local Sports Partnerships, these hubs will provide information, support and advice on a wide range of sports and physical activities and make it easier for people to get involved and engage in a more active and healthier lifestyle”.

Highlighting new initiatives funded through the Dormant Accounts Fund, Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, John Treacy, commented: “Sport Ireland places a premium on ensuring everyone has an opportunity to partake in sport no matter what their circumstance and the Dormant Accounts Fund is assisting us in realising that ambition. It is particularly welcome to see a range of new projects developed, which will have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of local communities. Programmes such as the new Physical Literacy & Fundamental Movement Skills initiative and the additions to the Coaching Development Programme for Ireland will make sport and physically activity more accessible to more people. ”

As with previous funding announced, today’s investment is closely aligned with the National Physical Activity Plan. A particular emphasis on implementing programmes to promote physical activity, making sport and physical activity accessible to people with a disability and the development of programmes to address transitions and drop out from physical activity.

Sport Ireland Director of Participation and Ethics, Dr. Una May, highlighted the impact of the projects funded to date: “Collaborative initiatives across the sports sector and capacity building programmes such as the Dublin North East Inner City Project and Coaching Young People project, along with other initiatives such as the Urban Outdoor Adventure programme and the Youth Leadership programme, have increased the opportunities for participation at a local level. These initiatives are driven by local community leaders and groups meaning that all programmes are highly targeted and contribute to building the capacity of communities. The results have been impressive and this new raft of funding will allow us to keep developing opportunities, offering a significant return on investments.”

Breakdown of Dormant Accounts Funding:

Community Sports and Physical Activity Hubs

Dormant Accounts Funding will be allocated to establish and develop five new CSPAHs, with additional funding allocated to 26 existing hubs.

The objective of the CSPAHs is to bring local people together and provide a home for local clubs and sports organisations.

The Hubs provide information, support and advice on a wide range of sports and physical activities to make it easier for people in disadvantaged areas to get involved in and engage in a more active and healthier lifestyle.

Applications to establish and develop CSPAHs were sought from Local Sports Partnerships in a competitive bid process under three theme areas: Community Setting, Schools Based Setting and an Outdoor Setting.

Youth Leadership

This project involves the development and delivery of specialised Sports Leadership training for young people providing a stepping stone for learners into employment and also into further education or training. This programme will develop generic leadership skills that can be applied to a variety of sports and/or recreational situations as well as contributing to the personal development of the learner.

It will also assist to develop trained volunteers who can assist with the delivery of sport and recreation initiatives within their community. The initiative will provide training for young people, keeping them engaged, increasing their responsibility and developing their confidence and self-esteem and will provide an opportunity for lifelong volunteering. The programme has the potential to impact on both early school dropout in disadvantaged areas and dropout rates from sport within the targeted age group.

Volunteer Training & Support Programme

The volunteer supports initiative aims to successfully identify and assist targeted individuals who are volunteering in disadvantaged communities or with people with disabilities to gain community sport and physical activity leadership skills e.g. as coaches, leaders, referees, committee members etc. This fund will also be used to support Community Coaching programmes or to support standalone training opportunities to support targeted volunteers.  This funding stream is only open to individuals operating in a volunteer capacity within disadvantaged communities or with people with disabilities. This project will contribute to the development of confidence amongst participants, and eventually in the community through the subsequent volunteer sport development work carried out by participants.

ASPIRE Graduate Programme Phase 2

Sport Ireland will fund a number of NGBs to directly employ a graduate on the scheme for a fixed term basis (11 months), following on from a qualifying criteria based application process. In addition, Sport Ireland would support the graduate scheme employees with mentoring, executive coaching and skills development training for the duration of the scheme, ensuring appropriate standards and quality of experience was provided for each employee and host NGB. It is anticipated that upon completion of the programme, each participant will have gained experience and skills development to ensure their likelihood of securing long term professional employment in the Irish sports sector is greatly increased.

Organisations participating in the ASPIRE Graduate Programme include: Badminton Ireland; Irish wheelchair Association; Tennis Ireland; Limerick LSP; Swim Ireland; Meath LSP; Rowing Ireland; Volleyball Ireland; and Triathlon Ireland.

Sports Inclusion Disability Programme Capital Supports

The Sports Inclusion Disability Programme Capital Supports initiative will provide capital support to the implementation of the national SIDP. The fund aims to reduce the barriers to sports participation for people with a disability through the provision of equipment and minor infrastructure. The fund can be used to purchase a range of disability sports equipment and enabling infrastructure including hoists, hand rails, fittings, mats, wheel chairs etc. Applicants were tasked to identify equipment or infrastructure works which will increase participation in sport or physical activity for people with a disability in their county.

Sports Disability Training Framework

Extend existing and developing programmes for physical activity for people with disabilities and their families to enhance and deliver a comprehensive health and wellbeing programme. In 2018, the focus of the funding proposal is to make an impact across the areas of development to enhance active and healthy lifestyles for people with disabilities.

Outdoor Recreation Accessible Infrastructure Training

Under the 2016 Dormant Accounts programme a new guideline was produced by the Irish Wheelchair Association titled Great Outdoors A Guide for Accessibility. This new guideline provides for the first time in Ireland guidance on what is required to make outdoor recreation areas more accessible to people with disabilities. A second phase to this project is now proposed, which aims to increase awareness and promote this new guideline through promotional activities, workshops and training events. The target audience for this work would include staff involved in the provision and development of outdoor recreation amenities in Ireland

Urban Outdoor Adventure Hubs Phase 2

The objective of the Urban Outdoor Adventure Initiatives was to create new opportunities for people living in disadvantaged communities to participate in outdoor adventure sports in urban settings. The programme also seeks to create new opportunities for at-risk youth in disadvantaged communities and people with a disability.

Dublin North East Inner City

This project focuses on the provision of a range of training programmes and supporting participation initiatives in conjunction with National Governing Bodies, sports clubs and local organisations that want to work together to improve the sport offered to young people in Dublin North East Inner City RAPID area. This project will be delivered through Dublin City Sport and Wellbeing Partnership, based within Dublin City Council.

Active Places, Better Spaces

Following on from the initial pilot in 2017, this funding will continue to develop innovative participation programme interventions in Garryowen, Co. Limerick. Key aspects of the initiative to date have focused around ‘come & try’ and ‘open day’ sessions which has created an awareness around the existence of the initiative and has started building relationships between the staff from Limerick LSP, Limerick Youth Service and the general community.

Get Ireland Running

Athletics Ireland wishes to expand a number of Get Ireland Running Programmes targeting areas of disadvantage while also piloting some new initiatives around integration and inclusion.

The programmes are directly linked to Athletics Ireland current strategy (2017-2020) which aims at ‘continuing to grow our membership through our existing club base, enhanced coaching and through new clubs and recruitment from schools, with specific focus on disadvantaged areas’.

Get Ireland Cycling

Cycling Ireland, working in collaboration with their clubs, partners and communities will co-ordinate and deliver opportunities, across a suite of programme offerings, to people in socially, economically and educationally disadvantaged areas.

Get Ireland Swimming

Swim Ireland will continue roll out projects under the overall ‘Get Ireland Swimming’ banner in support of the National Physical Activity Plan and the Swim Ireland mission which is ‘to encourage participation, develop excellence and regulate the sport”.

Get Ireland Walking

Sport Ireland developed the Get Ireland Walking initiative, in collaboration with a number of national partner organisations in 2013 and coordinates the programme with Mountaineering Ireland with financial support from the Department of Health. The programme seeks to grow the culture of walking in Ireland and support the establishment of community walking groups throughout the country.

NGB Sports Inclusion Fund

Funding was made available to National Governing Bodies of Sport to support the National Physical Activity Plan under:

Action 47 ‘Continue to support the work of the National Governing Bodies of sport in implementing programmes to promote physical activity’,

Action 48 ‘Develop programmes to address transitions and drop out from physical activity and sport’

Action 49 ‘Extend existing and developing programmes for physical activity for people with disabilities and their families to enhance and deliver a comprehensive health and wellbeing programme’.

Physical Literacy & Fundamental Movement Skills interventions

The funding will support the implementation of participation programmes with a focus on disadvantaged communities through Physical Literacy & Fundamental Movement Skills interventions. The first phase of the development of this innovative Physical Literacy project, which once the Consensus Statement is produced, will be the first of its kind in Europe.

Physical literacy has been defined in the newly launched National Sports Policy 2018-2027 as “the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for maintaining purposeful physical pursuits/activities throughout the life course”. It embraces the notion of participation in sport and physical activity over the life course encompassing pre-school children, school-going children and adults of all ages.

Evidence Based Communications Campaign

Development and roll-out of an annual evidence based national physical activity promotion campaign, which will feature case studies and collaboration to encourage take-up of sport and physical activity opportunities within local areas.

Coaching Young People

The aim of this project is to develop training for coaches/leaders with an emphasis on keeping young people engaged in sport and physical activity.

Coaching People with Disabilities

This project would develop an approach/materials to coaching people with disabilities in line with the newly launched Sport Ireland Policy.

Coaching Development Programme for Ireland

Review of all the Coach Development Programme for Ireland coach education levels to ensure that the learning outcomes are inclusive of approaches to coaching socially and economically disadvantaged areas; and to include people with disabilities.

Meany and Murphy Named as European New Leaders

Nov 29, 2018

Two Irish sports professionals, Olympian and Get Ireland Swimming National Co-Ordinator Grainne Murphy and Conor Meany (Basketball Ireland) were selected for the New Leaders Sport Leadership Education Programme. The pair were selected following a European application process to the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Finland and are among thirty game-changers throughout Europe.

New Leaders is a legacy project of Birgitta Kervinen, 2017 International Olympic Committee (IOC) Women and Sport World Trophy Winner and is an educational programme that is a joint effort coordinated by the NOC of Finland together with the IOC, European Olympic Committee (EOC), NOCs of Lithuania, Ireland and Azerbaijan, and championed by the EOC Gender Equality Commission.

The fifteen male and fifteen female game-changers represent twenty-six countries across Europe. The aim of the programme is to help participants enhance their personal leadership skills as up and coming leaders which will, in turn, have a wider impact on the sports movement across Europe.

The Programme comprises of three workshops and a conference hosted by National Olympic Committees, where the successful candidates will explore aspects of leadership such as strategic goal setting, conflict management and persuasive communication. The Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) will be hosting the second workshop on the 9-11 April.

Hurling and Camogie Granted World Heritage Recognition

Nov 29, 2018

The Federation is delighted to hear the news that hurling and Camogie have been inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

At a meeting of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Mauritius yesterday (28 November), Ireland’s nomination of Hurling was approved, thereby achieving international recognition of hurling as a key element of Ireland’s living heritage to be safeguarded for future generations.

“I am delighted that Hurling has achieved international recognition by UNESCO,” said Minister for Culture, Arts and Heritage Josepha Madigan.

“Hurling is a key element of Irish culture. For centuries, hurling has been an important part of the Irish identity, with men and women passing on this living tradition to each rising generation. I am grateful to the Camogie Association and the GAA for their work with my Department to achieve this UNESCO recognition.”

Ireland ratified the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2015. The Convention was established to safeguard, appreciate, and raise awareness of cultural heritage locally, nationally, and internationally. Intangible cultural heritage, or living heritage, refers to customs, traditions, crafts, games, and practices that are part of people’s lives and identities both individually and as part of wider communities, and that are passed on from generation to generation

Hurling, which is used to denote the entire game, including camogie, as played by men, women and children, is Ireland’s second inscription on the Representative List. Ireland’s first nomination, Uilleann Piping, was officially inscribed last year.

The submission for this inscription was led by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in partnership with the GAA and the Camogie Association.

Uachtarán CLG John Horan said: “The decision of UNESCO to award the prestigious Intangible Cultural Heritage status to the game of hurling is yet another high point in what has been a quite exceptional 2018 for the game. Coming on the back of what was yet another exceptional summer of Championship hurling, this UNESCO award is international recognition for our native game and an acknowledgement of its cultural, social and sporting importance to the People of Ireland. It reaffirms the fact that Hurling is more than just a sport. It is a national treasure; an ancient tradition that connects us to our Celtic past and a part of our DNA. At a time of unprecedented popularity for the Game here, we owe a debt of gratitude to the generations of people who preserved, protected and promoted the game at school, club and county levels so that it would survive and thrive for our benefit. All of us involved in the Association are charged with ensuring that the promotional work we undertake preserves Hurling for future generations.”

Kathleen Woods, President of the Camogie Association said: “It is a great honour for Camogie to receive this prestigious international recognition which illustrates the integral role which Hurling and Camogie play in Irish life and the great history associated with our games. I am delighted for all of our wonderful volunteers and players that our unique games have been recognised as they are the lifeblood of our games. I wish to thank Minister Madigan and her colleagues within the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht as well as our colleagues in the GAA for their hard work and support with this submission.”

A Charter for Disability Sport

Nov 28, 2018

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD, today launched Ireland’s first ever Sport Inclusion Disability Charter. The Federation of Irish Sport, the FAI and Kildare LSP were among the first organisations to sign up to the charter.

The charter, which was developed by Cara (Sport-Inclusion-Ireland) in conjunction with Sport Ireland, outlines five key areas people with disabilities are asking organisations to consider in making active and healthy lifestyles possible for them.

Speaking at the launch at Leinster House, which was attended by representatives from the sport, health, disability and education sectors, Minister Ross said: “Everyone, no matter what their background or circumstances, should have the opportunity to engage in sport and physical activity at a level of their choosing. This Sport Inclusion Disability Charter is an important development for Irish sport, which demonstrates the sector’s commitment to increasing the number of opportunities for people with a disability. I would like to commend Cara, Sport Ireland and all those involved with the production of this charter.”

Sport and physical activity are central to the fabric of life in Ireland. As citizens of this state, people with disabilities have a right to be active within their local communities. To truly understand what it is like for a person with a disability to be active in Ireland, Cara, with the support of the Sport Ireland Local Sports Partnership network, coordinated nationwide focus groups with people with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities where they shared their experiences, challenges and needs.

Highlighting the goals of Sport Ireland’s Policy on the Participation of People with Disabilities in Sport and the key actions set out within the National Sports Policy (2018-2027) to address the participation gradient that exists in relation to people with disabilities and their participation in sport and physical activity, Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, John Treacy, said: “Sport Ireland is committed to the equal treatment of all people when it comes to their participation in sport. This commitment was formalised through the publication of Sport Ireland’s Policy on Participation in Sport by People with Disabilities last year that outlines strong guiding principles which will make sure that we have a coordinated approach to ensure that the delivery of the sector’s efforts are more effective and accountable.

“The development of a charter is one of the key actions contained in the policy and is aligned with the new National Sports Policy. We are encouraging all organisations involved in the provision of sport and physical activity opportunities to adopt the charter as we look to make Irish sport as accessible as possible.”

Over 140 people with a disability who are both active and inactive were asked about their experiences, challenges and needs in relation to their participation in sport and physical activity. From the vast feedback received, the Sport Inclusion Disability Charter was developed, which clearly outlines five key areas people with disabilities are asking all organisations to consider in increasing opportunities for them in sport and physical activity:

Be open to and understanding of all people with disabilities
Access training for our people to facilitate the inclusion of people with disabilities
Develop and deliver inclusive activities
Review our facility/venues/equipment to make our organisation more accessible
Promote the inclusive nature of our activities, in a variety of formats

Among the first signatories and attending the launch today were the Federation of Irish Sport, the Football Association of Ireland, and Kildare Sports Partnership who in signing the Charter highlighted its significance.

Managing Director of Cara, Niamh Daffy, added: “It is hoped that this Charter will be a catalyst for change which will lead to a unified approach to increasing awareness, increasing opportunities and ultimately increasing the participation of people with disabilities in sport and physical activity across Ireland”.

The Sport Inclusion Disability Charter will be presented at the National Seminar for Inclusion which is a joint event between Cara and Sport Ireland taking place on the 29th of November in the Castleknock Hotel Dublin. More information on the charter can be found at www.caracentre.ie or by contacting Doireann Ni Mhuircheartaigh at dnimhuircheartaigh@caracentre.ie.

Image Credit: Inpho.ie

Getting to Know … 2Into3

Nov 28, 2018

As part of a monthly feature, we get to know a little more about the organisations and the individuals that support the work of the Federation.

This month it’s the turn of Dennis O’Connor of 2Into3, who earlier this year made his international Hockey debut.

Can you tell us a little about how your business partners with the Federation and its members?

We provide consulting, recruitment and research services to the Federation and its members. Over the last year for example we helped: the Irish Sailing Foundation raise philanthropic investment for high-performance sailing: Cricket Ireland build the capacity of its clubs to apply for Sports Capital Grants and fundraise and supported a range of Clubs make their own application from G.A.A, Soccer, Rugby, Hockey and Cricket.

What is one of the issues that you might be able to solve?

Currently, Sport receives some 2 per cent of the €1 Billion philanthropic income available to Ireland’s Not-for-Profit sector. The potential is there to increase this to €100m per annum. We would like to help the Federations members access this level of investment.

What is your personal background in sport?

I played soccer at College and coached U.C.C to Crowley Cup title.

I’m a lifelong Cork Hurling supporter attending every All Ireland (with Cork) since 1976.

My other passion as a supporter is for Munster Rugby dating back to my school days at P.B.C Cork.

Later in life, I discovered Hockey and have attained my coaching credentials as a Hockey Ireland Level 1 Coach.  On weekends you might find me living the dream as  Player Manager with Avoca Men’s 3rds, and earlier in 2018 I made my debut with the Hockey Ireland Veterans team for over 55’s

What do you find most interesting about working in and around the sporting sector?

Witnessing High Performance and seeing the joy that participation brings.

What was the last sports event you attended?

I was in Cork for the brilliant Liam Miller charity match in Páirc Uí Chaoimh in September between Manchester United Legends and Celtic/Ireland legends.

If you had an open ticket which sporting event around the world would you attend?

I’d love to attend Game 7 of a Major League Baseball World Series, preferably with the Boston Red Sox playing.  

And if you could arrange for one victory for a sports team or star that matters to you what would it be?

Munster winning the Heineken Champions Cup in May 2019 at St. James’ Park