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
Nov 16, 2018
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross and Minister of State for Tourism and Sport were present at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on their areas of Government earlier in the week and put the sporting world on notice that the Government’s Large Scale Infrastructure Fund would be launched for applications early next week.
That will put organisations including Leinster Rugby and the RDS, Connacht Rugby, the GAA, FAI and Cricket Ireland, who have all expressed ambition for new facilities to benefit from this fund very much on notice.
Minister Griffin also revealed that letters of invitation to take part on the Sports Leadership Group who will be charged with putting targets and timetables around the key pillars of the ten-year National Policy on Sport are also en routs or awaiting signature.
This group was originally targeted as being in place within 90 days of the policy launch which would have been October 19th but it is always better to get it right rather than getting it quick and it will be important to get the right representation of different interests within the wider sporting family.
Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Brendan Griffin also revealed that their findings would be reported on “around this time next year, maybe a little earlier” and that the implementation would now extend to over 12 years, reviewable every four in line with the cycle of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Among the other things we learned were that the current round of Sports Capital Grant funding has attracted total bids of €163 million of funding, for a pot of only €40 million and that it would likely be March or April of 2019 when the notification of awards would be made.
“We want to administer this as quickly as possible and get the money out to clubs and organisations but there is a massive administrative job of work to be done.”
“The 2017 applications that were resubmitted could be out before Christmas but that is dependent on a number of moving parts.”
“We would hope that the 2018 applications will be finalised in the spring but there will also be a slowdown in that if there are small anomalies in applications that we will be giving them a second chance to get those things corrected.”
On a question of governance Minister Griffin revealed that of the 76 bodies affiliated to Sport Ireland that 12 National Governing Bodies, three local sports partnerships and one other are already fully compliant with the Governance Code and that it was expected by 2021 that all of the bodies would be fully compliant.
Nov 5, 2018
The Baton Twirling Sport Association of Ireland were very honoured to be selected by the World Baton Twirling Federation to host the 2018 European Cup of Baton Twirling.
The event took place in the Sport Ireland indoor arena and the athletics hall was used as a practice area for the 571 athletes from 16 European countries who attended.
There were two days of music tests and training and five days of competition, making it the biggest sporting event in Ireland in 2018 outside of Special Olympics with 500 delegates, judges, officials and coaches also in attendance.
We have put in a bid to host the 2020 World Baton Twirling Championships, and if we are successful will have approximately 23 countries in attendance.
The Baton Twirling Sport Association of Ireland has been recognised as a National Governing Body for sport since 1989 and is a founding member of what is now the Federation of Irish Sports.
Nov 4, 2018
Athletics Ireland has secured the hosting of the European Cross Country Championships for the second time. Members of the bid committee presented to the European Athletics Council in Budapest and emerged as winners.
The European Cross Country Championships will take place at the National Sports Campus on Sunday 13th December 2020. Athletics Ireland bid for this championship was supported by Fingal County Council, Sport Ireland and RTE.
Hamish Adams CEO, Athletics Ireland said ‘We are delighted to have secured the hosting of the European Cross Country Championships for 2020. We look forward to working with Fingal County Council, Sport Ireland and RTE to ensure the event is a world class experience for both athletes and spectators.’
Mary Godwin, Senior Executive Officer, Fingal County Council added “We look forward to working closely with Athletics Ireland and the other partners to ensure we host the best European Cross Country Championships to date.”
Sport Ireland also welcomed the news that the 2020 European Cross Country Championships will take place on the purpose built cross country track on the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus.
News of Athletics Ireland’s successful bid for the major championships was announced by the European Athletics Council in Budapest today. This will be second time the prestigious event visits Irish shores following the successful hosting of the event in Santry in 2009.
Welcoming the news, Chairman of Sport Ireland, Kieran Mulvey, said: “On behalf of Sport Ireland I would like to congratulate Athletics Ireland on their successful bid for the 2020 European Cross Country Championships. Ireland has a rich history in cross country running and we are delighted to host this event on the purpose built cross country track here on the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus.”
Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, John Treacy, added: “This is a great example of agencies coming together to showcase Ireland as a top destination for major sporting events. We look forward to working with Athletics Ireland and the other partners to deliver an excellent event here on the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus, which will be broadcast right across Europe.
“I would like to pay tribute to Athletics Ireland Chief Executive, Hamish Adams, bid coordinator Liam Hennessy and all involved with the bid on their hard work in securing the championships for Ireland.”
Oct 25, 2018
Congratulations to Hockey Ireland who have secured the support of Turkish Airlines for the Men’s team heading out to the World Cup in India next month.
Here are some of the other commercial partnerships signed by Irish sporting bodies in recent weeks…
Well done to the FAI who secured the backing of Brendan O’Carroll and his wife Jennifer Gibney of Mrs. Brown’s Boys fame to the tune of €420,000 for the FAI Mrs Browns Boys Heart Care programme rolling out screening for young players from January 2019.
Subway are back for a fourth year of sponsorship of Basketball Ireland’s massively popular schools cup tournaments.
The same brand is also backing Schools football with the FAI.
JLT are back on board as sponsors of the Gymnastics Annual Awards taking place next month.
Oct 25, 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 Larry Fenelon of Lemans Solicitors, a true man of many sporting interests.
Can you tell us a little about how your business partners with the Federation and its members?
We are the official legal partner to the Federation. We work closely with the federation to educate its members on their legal responsibilities. We act for over 30 NGB’s from the largest to the smallest. We are the only law firm in Ireland to have a dedicated and experienced sports law team.
What are some of the ways in which members might use your services?
We help NGB’s to be better run organisations. We draft constitutions and Memorandum & Articles of Association to reflect a modern and fit for purpose organisation and to improve governance.
We also are renowned for drafting complaints and disciplinary rules, selection criteria, data protection policies and sponsorship or partnership agreements.
What is your personal background in sport?
I played Rugby. I’m a Dubs fan and love all things GAA. I play squash and cycle in response to my mid-life crisis. As a night owl I’ll watch anything from Motor Sport to American Football.
What do you find most interesting about working in and around the sporting sector?
If you can marry sport and work, you are doing well. Working with passionate and dedicated people who are largely volunteers is very uplifting.
Sport matters to a lot of people. It matters to me. We are usually at the coal face of resolving disputes for NGB’s which can be very fast paced and interesting.
What was the last sports event you attended?
My son’s debut for Wanderers U7’s against Lansdowne and also my daughter’s Camogie match for Clanna Gael Fontenoy against Erin Go Bragh on the same day.
Before that the Men’s All Ireland Senior Football Final in Croke Park.
If you had an open ticket which sporting event around the world would you attend?
The 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
And if you could arrange for one victory for a sports team or star that matters to you what would it be?
Dublin to lift Sam Maguire for an unprecedented 5 in a row, with Diarmaid Connelly as captain!
