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

Basketball’s Teaching Potential

Nov 27, 2018

The National Basketball Arena was the focus of all of the action for the 2018 Dublin Primary Schools’ Mini Basketball League finals this week, as over 1,000 children took to the court for a big festival of basketball.

Throughout the finals, 1,110 children played in the games, with 76 children officiating and more than 2,000 supporters on hand to cheer them all on.

76 school teams were clustered in local groups, and then were ranked in their cluster and paired for the finals in Tallaght. The Dublin Primary Schools Mini-Basketball League finals use the 4v4 format with teams of 12 players and six periods. All children participate in two periods per game. This format encourages more fundamental movement learning opportunities. All children are awarded a participation medal and the winning schools are presented with a trophy. Two children from each school act as scorekeepers and timekeepers.

This educational approach to sport and physical activity is very much in keeping with the Primary School PE Curriculum and the newly published National Sports Policy.

Kellie’s Simply Champion

Nov 26, 2018

Team Ireland arrived home from the 10th World Elite Women’s Championships in New Delhi, India yesterday to a hero’s welcome.

Kellie Harrington claimed lightweight gold at the tournament after topping the 60kg podium following five wins in eight days at the Indira Gandhi Stadium.

The St Mary’s BC (Dublin) orthodox thanked all for what she described as phenomenal support during the competition.

Ireland finished in 6th spot in the medals table in India.

Head coach Zaur Antia and Dmitry Dimitruk were working Ireland’s corner in New Delhi.

Image: Kellie Harrington with St Mary’s BC and Irish coach Noel Burke at Dublin Airport today.

The full rundown on the performance of the Irish team was as follows. Well done to everyone involved

51kg Ceire Smith (Virginia) (Last 16)

57kg Michaela Walsh (Monkstown) (Last 16)

60kg Kellie Harrington (St Mary’s) (Gold)

64kg Amy Broadhurst (Dealgan) (Q/Finals)

69kh Grainne Walsh (Sparticus) (Last 16)

75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Castlerea) (Last 16)

Team manager: Bernard Dunne
Coaches: Zaur Antia & Dmitry Dimitruk
Physio: Muireann Harte

Launch of new Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF)

Nov 20, 2018

Statement in relation to the launch of new Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund as announced by The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross T.D. and the Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin T.D.

Applications are being invited for funding under the new Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The fund will be open for applications until April 2019 and a minimum of €100m is being provided. The new fund will initially focus on the requirements and development plans of National Governing Bodies of Sport and Local Authorities.

Minister Ross said “2018 has been a phenomenal year for Irish sport and we are determined to provide the necessary investment to ensure this success continues. The establishment of the LSSIF confirms the commitment expressed in the National Development Plan and the National Sports Policy 2018 – 2027 to increase investment in sporting facilities across the state. This fund offers tremendous possibilities to develop high quality sports facilities and I have no doubt there will be a huge level of interest across all sports and all regions.”

Minister Griffin said: “This is another important day for Irish sport. Decisions to provide Government funding for large sports projects were previously made on an ad-hoc basis and there wasn’t any mechanism to apply for funding. This new fund represents a transparent and competitive process whereby all sports organisations and local authorities can apply. Apart from the obvious health and social benefits, the projects that are ultimately awarded grants under this new fund will also provide a significant economic benefit to their respective areas.”

The main features of the scheme are as follows:-

• The scheme is initially open to applications from National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and Local Authorities (LAs).
• The scheme will consist of two streams. Stream One, which is aimed at smaller NGBs and Local Authorities, will help fund the development of proposals to tender stage. Stream Two will assist applicants to bring projects from tender stage to completion.
• The scheme will require a minimum contribution of 30% from applicants toward the cost of any works/design.
• The scheme encourages multi-functional sports facilities that will serve more than one sport. Sharing between sports, NGBs and LAs is encouraged and such projects will be viewed more favourably.
• The existing Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme is closed for new applications and any proposed funding for swimming pools will be considered under the LSSIF

The new fund is separate and distinct from the Department’s long-running Sports Capital Programme (SCP). The SCP is focused on smaller capital projects where the maximum grant is €150,000 for local projects.

The full terms and conditions of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund are available athttp://www.dttas.ie/sport/english/large-scale-sport-infrastructure-fund-lssif