Oct 11, 2018
Ministers for Transport, Tourism & Sport Shane Ross and Brendan Griffin have confirmed that the 13% increase in investment in sport outlined in Budget 2019 includes €6.5 million in additional funding for Sport Ireland, €8.8 million for the new Large Scale Sports Infrastructure as well as €16 million to complete Phase 2 of the National Indoor Arena.
Included in the additional funds being made available to Sport Ireland, €2.3 million has been allocated for National Governing Bodies. €1 million in additional funding has been provided towards its Women in Sport programme, with €1 million also being provided to create a dedicated programme for disability sport through the deployment of a Sport Inclusion Disability Officer in all 26 Local Sports Partnerships Nationwide. The Minister confirmed the allocation of €1.5 million to high performance in preparation for Tokyo 2020.
A further €40 million is also to be made available in 2019 to enable a further round of the Sports Capital Programme that allows clubs and organisations right around the country apply for funds to develop and maintain sports and equipment.
The Federation also welcomes the Ministers statements that the significant increase in funding for Sport Ireland is proof of the Government’s ambition to increase sporting participation at all levels from grassroots to high performance.
Speaking after the briefing from Ministers Ross and Griffin at Government Buildings, CEO, Federation of Irish Sport, Mary O’Connor said: “This is a good day for Irish Sport. The Federation and our members have for a long time being advocating for a significant increase in funding to Sport Ireland. It is these monies that translate into the investment in people and programmes from grassroots to high performance that ultimately allow sport positively impact on people’s lives and ultimately on public health, tourism, community and even the economy. An additional €6.5 million represents real confidence in our ability as a sector to deliver on a wide range of Government policy objectives as outlined in the National Sports Policy published in July. We look forward to working with Government and our members to ensure that we deliver and maximise the potential of the much needed additional investment. We also welcome the significant investment in capital programmes that will enable the development and improvement of facilities at local, regional and national level. ”
Oct 11, 2018
Dublin’s Niamh Coyne has taken the silver medal in the women’s 100m breaststroke at the 2018 Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games with a time of 1:08.90.
Sligo’s Mona McSharry finished just out of the medals in fourth place with a time of 1:08.97. Mona was first to turn at halfway, just missing out on a medal in the closing meters.
To have two swimmers in an Olympic Final is an incredible achievement and a measure of the pipeline of talent coming through in the sport.
Team Ireland in Buenos Aires comprises a squad of 16 athletes from 9 sports. The team of 5 male athletes and 11 female athletes includes Nhat Nguyen (Badminton) and Mona McSharry (Swimming), recipients of Olympic Solidarity Scholarships which were awarded to assist with qualification and preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
This is the third edition of the Youth Olympic Games which are hosted every four years. The Games, running from October 6 to October 18 will feature more than 4,000 talented junior athletes aged 15 to 18 from 200 countries in over 32 sports.
Oct 9, 2018
Minister for Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohue has announced a commitment of €126 million to support a range of sporting initiatives in 2019.
This represents an increase of just over €14.69 million on the total investment in sport this year.
The increased investment marks a first significant step towards realising the commitment contained in Ireland’s first National Sports Policy, published in July, to double the investment in sport.
The breakdown of the overall investment will be confirmed by the Minister for Sport, Shane Ross at a briefing on Wednesday. It has been confirmed however that €41million will be invested in sports projects to benefit clubs and organisations in every county in Ireland.
Minister Donohoe also confirmed that the 9% VAT rate for sporting facilities is to be retained.
Speaking after the announcement of today’s Budget 2018, CEO, Federation of Irish Sport, Mary O’Connor said:
“Budget 2019 certainly seems like it is a positive one for sport. While we look forward to hearing the detail regarding the breakdown of the increased investment across people and programmes and capital projects, our initial reaction and that of our members is positive. The publication of Ireland’s National Sports Policy in July this year was a significant first step in recognition of the important contribution sport can and should make to Ireland.”
“It is great to see Government begin to commit the necessary funds to allow for the implementation of that plan in the first budget following the publication of that landmark Policy for Irish sport.”
Oct 1, 2018
The Federation of Irish Sport is made up of National Governing Bodies of sport as well as the 26 Local Sports Partnerships that operate around the country working with Local authorities to implement a wide variety of sporting programmes.
Each month we carry a round-up featuring some of the many activities that are taking place around the country so that you can see just how effective they are.
EUROPEAN WEEK OF SPORT
All of the Local Sports Partnerships got really stuck into the European Week of Sport with activities and events that were bot imaginative and successful in getting people active.
Laois and Cavan had family-friendly fun evenings at the weekend with climbing walls, yoga, boot camps, music, games and so much more.
DUBLIN CITY SPORT AND WELLBEING PARTNERSHIP
The inaugural Dublin Sportsfest proved to a real winner through the last week of September.
With activities covering every age and level of ability, it proved to be a very visible reminder of the many opportunities there are to engage in sport.
The week got rolling with the Great Dublin Bike Ride on Sunday, 23rd before taking in a Sports Stadium event at Dalymount Park on Monday, an Olympic and Elite Sports experience for Transition Year schoolkids on Tuesday, the Older Adult Sports Day on Wednesday, Docklands Fitfest with Ireland Active on Thursday and a host of club and venue based activities through the week.
These included glow football and glow fitness events, Yoga classes in City Hall, Taster sessions, runs, the Lord Mayor Liffey Paddle down the river and a host of other activities.
MEATH SPORTS PARTNERSHIP
Meath Sports Partnership got seven new community walking groups up and moving during September.
They will be hosting a special training day for Walk leaders, in partnership with the Irish Heart Foundation on November 17th.
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP
They teamed up with former Irish international race walker Colin Griffin to deliver a series of sports science seminars through the Autumn. The first of these took place in September and there are two more scheduled for October and November.
If you would like to feature in next month’s Round Up please send your information by email to reach us no later than Friday 19th October.
Oct 1, 2018
Congratulations to everyone who took part in activities surrounding the European Week of Sport over the past seven days and more.
The week-long celebration of sport and physical activity culminated in the second Family SportsFest at the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena on Sunday.
The crowds started to flood in from before the doors opened at 10 AM and by the time all the sporting organisations present began to fold their tents, well over 3,000 adults and children had been able to enjoy a sample of what was on offer.
Pretty much every sport had some visibility with the IRFU, FAI and GAA all having stars, trophies and immersive activities on display in the main hall.
Eoin McDevitt from Second Captains was MC for the day and brought the venue to life interviewing stars from all the sports and plenty of kids as well.
The Volleyball court in the second hall was busy throughout and there was plenty of interest too in the Baton Twirling exhibitions that were taking place.
Archery took over the corner adjoining the Gymnastics area and children were trying out so many other sports, many for the first time from high jump and long jump in athletics to cricket, wrestling and a very lively boxing ring.
The Gymnastics tasters were popular as were the ability to hit so many balls from hurling to hockey.
There was still a big crowd around for the Mascot race which took place on the track where we also got to see Double European Youth Athletics Gold Medallist Sarah Healy, having a gentle run out and meeting lots of families.
A great day all round and we are looking forward already to doing it all again in 2019. After a short break to recharge of course!
Sep 23, 2018
As part of a new monthly feature, we want to know a little more about the organisations and the individuals that support the work of the Federation.
This month we sat down with Amanda Harton, Director of JLT and related to some pretty good Caribbean swimmers…
Can you tell us a little about how your business partners with the Federation and its members?
We provide insurance advice and solutions to the federation, National Governing Bodies, Sports Clubs and Associations and Individuals involved in Sport in Ireland.
What is one of the issues that you might be able to solve?
One example is we were recently approached by a soccer league who had been trying, unsuccessfully for a couple of years, to develop a Personal Accident facility for their league players and officials.
We were able to design an implement a cost-effective programme which has provided savings to teams across the league and streamlined benefits for all players on the pitch.
What is your personal background in sport?
As a kid, I played every sport I could throughout primary and secondary school. I loved all aspects including the comradery, fitness, competition and getting out of class for matches.
After school, I dropped out for a few years but later found my way back. Since having kids (combined with a full-time job), I don’t have the flexibility to partake in a team sport, but exercise about 3-4 times a week with a mix of Pilates, running, weight training and gym – mainly so I have the energy and focus to keep up with everything else in life.
My daughter is involved in Gymnastics and is joining the academy in our local GAA club in September so I’ve signed up to help out, which I’m really looking forward to.
What do you find most interesting about working in and around the sporting sector?
I find performance really interesting, however, the work being undertaken by our clients around general participation is fantastic, particularly when you consider the strong links between sports participation and general health and wellbeing, including mental health – and the resulting positive impact on the economy.
If you had an open ticket which sporting event around the world would you attend?
I’d go back in time and attend the 2008 Wimbledon Final between Nadal and Federer. I watched at home wishing I was there to see two greats take each other on in such a thrilling match.
And if you could arrange for one victory for a sports team or star that matters to you what would it be?
I’ve cousins swimming for Trinidad and Tobago and I’d love to see them achieve their goals of getting to the next Olympics. Other than that, really for me the victory is in increased participation and seeing kids involved in and benefiting from all that sport has to offer.
