Dec 19, 2018
The Board of Cricket Ireland has endorsed the provision of Irish cricket’s first women’s senior playing contracts, after a recommendation was accepted at its recent Board Meeting held at Ballymascanlon House Hotel on 12 December 2018.
Warren Deutrom, Chief Executive of Cricket Ireland, said:
“We are delighted to become one of a very select number of sports in Ireland to offer professional contracts to women players. It has been an ambition of ours for a number of years, and we now find ourselves in the position to push ahead with this much-needed improvement to our sport.”
“The professionalism shown by our senior women’s team during preparation, qualification and performance at the recent ICC T20 World Cup was a demonstration that this side of our sport is ready to progress and grow.”
“We have been steadily increasing our investment and support for women’s cricket over recent years. This has included the appointment of a full-time national coach, providing for loss of earnings for players throughout the summer, increasing coaching staff and coach contact hours, increasing overseas player development opportunities, provision of a dedicated Academy programme for girls, and facilitating greater access to support services such as physio and medical, strength and conditioning, psychology and nutrition education. In addition, the creation of the Toyota Super 3’s Series in 2016 has provided that vital bridge between club and international cricket.”
“Like we did with the men’s side a number of years ago, we will now bring a measured approach to player contracts. A small number of part-time contracts will be offered in early 2019, with the plan to expand this programme over subsequent years.”
“Once again, we are grateful to Sport Ireland for their support in investing in this important development for Irish women’s cricket, enabling us to move into this exciting new period in our sport.”
The ICC recently announced that the next iteration of the ICC International Women’s Championship, post-2021, will expand from eight to ten teams. As Ireland is currently 10th in the world rankings, the Board realises the opportunity is within Irish cricket’s grasp to cement a place when qualification comes around.
Richard Holdsworth, Performance Director of Cricket Ireland, said:
“The International Women’s Championship is an international cricket tournament used to determine qualification for the Women’s Cricket World Cup, and – like Ireland’s inclusion in the men’s Future Tours Programme – would mean that our senior women’s team will be playing some of the world’s biggest teams more regularly.”
“As was noted by many observers at the recent T20 World Cup, the standard of Irish women’s cricket has increased significantly in recent times, but so has the standard of all of the world’s top teams. We need to introduce new measures like this to remain competitive against the world’s best and to push our game forward.”
“To prepare for our potential inclusion in the Women’s Championship, it will require further investment and improvements to be made in the women’s game – and a need to call on players’ availability more regularly. When relying on players who are juggling work and study commitments, availability for international games can quite often become a challenge. We believe that offering a small number of contracts, at least initially, will begin to ensure improved playing standards and better availability of our first-choice squad members.”
The Board also wholeheartedly endorsed the funding and development of a strategy for girl’s and women’s cricket in Ireland that will look at all aspects of the game, on and off the field of play. While the announcement of initial contracts precedes the strategy’s development, it is envisioned that the strategy will provide recommended guidelines for the scope and timing of expanding the contracts process.
“With a broad brief to look at all aspects of women’s and girls’ involvement in Irish cricket – including the need to benchmark with other cricket nations/sports, and to encompass targets set by Governments and ICC – the Board agreed that the engagement of an independent, experienced consultant to develop a framework for the future of this area of our sport was essential. We will be appointing the consultant early in the new year and will begin this important project immediately afterwards,” said Mr Holdsworth.
“We are entering a new phase in women’s sport in Ireland, and cricket is no different. Around the world we see an uplift of interest, participation and standards of women’s cricket and we are gradually putting in place a system to ensure that we not only continue to compete with the top teams, but advance the sport from grass roots to international.”
Cricket Ireland also confirmed that negotiations have progressed with other Full Member nations on international women’s fixtures in Ireland in the summer of 2019. These fixtures will be announced in January 2019 and will be part of another important year for the sport, as they will precede the global qualifying tournament for the Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia in early 2020.
Dec 18, 2018
Ireland is to stage the first Round of the 2019 CEV Beach Volleyball Continental Cup, one of the major international events in the sport and a qualifying event for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
The prestigious event will be held over the June Bank Holiday at Bettystown Beach on the County Meath coastline between Dublin and Drogheda.
The two days of competition will see players from across Europe arrive in Ireland, many of them for the first time in a sport which has only been on the Olympic schedule through London 2012 and Tokyo 2020.
Ireland is one of eight countries that will host pool matches with a likely four countries competing in both men’s and women’s events at each venue.
The others to have succeeded in the competition and which were announced in Luxembourg yesterday are Croatia, Cyprus, England, Georgia, Greece, Slovenia and Serbia.
Successful countries from this initial group stage will advance to a second phase in May 2020 and the Finals in June of that year.
“Bringing International events to Ireland is a key part of our strategy to grow, develop and promote the sport,” said Volleyball Ireland President Grainne Culliton.
“The profile of this event will help us inspire new players to the sport. We are incredibly excited to host such a prestigious event.”
The Tournament will align with the European Volleyball Schools Project programme, with Volleyball Ireland working with the Meath Sports Partnership to deliver Beach Volleyball in local schools ahead of the event.
“We want to use the profile of an Olympic Qualifier to get more people into Volleyball,” said Volleyball Ireland General Manager Gary Stewart.
“It’s a great opportunity to show the country what a great sport Volleyball is. It’s also a superb opportunity for potential partners to come on board and work with us on this event and our huge schools programme which reaches all corners of Ireland.”
Volleyball Ireland has a range of programmes for participants aged 5 years to 95 years old through its physical literacy initiatives for children to its Chair Volleyball campaign for older adults.
Bettystown Beach has played a key role in the Beach Volleyball Ireland National Tour in recent years, and Meath County Council has been a strong supporter in winning the right to host the Continental Cup Group stage.
The tournament will take place on June 1st and 2nd, one week before the Women’s Hockey Olympic Qualification tournament.
Dec 17, 2018
Sport is a huge part of volunteering in Ireland and Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, Mr. Sean Canney, TD, has launched a Call for Input Paper on Volunteering.
This paper is the first step in developing a national volunteering strategy. It will inform stakeholders about the proposed development of a national volunteering strategy and seek their views on what constitutes volunteering and what this strategy should contain.
The Minister said: “One of my Department’s key objectives, as outlined in our Statement of Strategy 2017-2020, is the development of a national strategy on volunteering.”
Volunteers make an enormous contribution to Irish society, developing communities as vibrant, inclusive and sustainable places where people want to live. The very real economic, cultural and social benefits of volunteering permeate through an incredibly diverse range of activities.
The participation of a broad range of stakeholders is key to the development of this strategy. When the draft strategy is developed, a further opportunity will be offered, by means of a public consultation process, for any further views on the strategy before it is finalised.
If you would like to contribute your views on volunteering it would be a valuable boost to making sure that sport is well represented.
Download the consultation document here.
The closing date for submissions is Thursday 14 February 2019.
Dec 14, 2018
A new state of the art hockey pitch will be laid at the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus, providing a welcome boost to Ireland’s national hockey teams as they go in search of Tokyo 2020 qualification.
Today’s announcement comes on the back of recent strong performances by the Irish national senior hockey teams which are both ranked among the top ten nations in the International Hockey Federation (FIH) rankings.
The Irish women’s team claimed an historic silver medal at the 2018 World Cup in London in August, while the men’s side recently competed in the World Cup in India following qualification for the 2016 Rio Olympics – the first time Irish hockey was represented at the Olympics in over a century.
To build on this success, Sport Ireland has commenced the replacement of the current sand-based hockey pitch on the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus with a new Polytan Polygras Toyko GT surface. This is the same surface that will be used at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and the 2022 World Cup.
Speaking at the announcement today which was attended by members of the Irish Men’s and Women’s teams, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD, said:
“This is a very welcome and timely development for the sport of hockey. I was lucky to witness Ireland’s achievement at the Women’s World Cup in London earlier this year and to see the desire and determination the team played with while representing their country. This new world-class facility at the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus will be of massive benefit to the preparation of not just our senior national teams, but also our up and coming players who will no doubt have been inspired by the recent performances of our women’s and men’s teams. This new hockey pitch is another welcome step in the development of the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus as the home of Irish sport and together with the excellent facilities already in place and those planned for the next few years, will support more and more Irish sportspersons in their training and preparation for international competition.”
“Chairman of Sport Ireland, Kieran Mulvey, commented: “The Irish hockey teams have had a remarkable period of success in recent years. The women’s team captured the imagination of the country with their exploits in the World Cup in August; while the men’s team have gone on to represent Ireland with pride in the World Cup this year following their qualification for the Olympic Games in 2016. The Board of Sport Ireland is keen to see the sport of hockey continue to rise in Ireland which is why we have approved the replacement of the hockey pitch. This development makes a clear statement that the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus is the home of high performance hockey in Ireland.”
The new pitch will be constructed by Sport Ireland with day-to-day management of the facility becoming the responsibility of the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus operations company.
Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, John Treacy, added: “The sport of hockey has gone through a very successful period and Sport Ireland is keen to build on its support for the game here at all levels. The new pitch at the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus will allow Ireland’s elite hockey players to practise on the same playing surface that will be used in the next Olympic Games, which will be a huge benefit to their qualification prospects and preparation for international competition. Locating the pitch here at the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus will also allow players to avail of existing science, medicine and lifestyle support services through the Sport Ireland Institute.”
Chairman of Sport Ireland’s National Sports Campus Committee, Patrick O’Connor, said: “This development of this new pitch alleviates the need for Irish teams to travel abroad to train, giving them access to the latest in pitch technology here in Ireland. This will further reduce hockey’s reliance on club-based facilities for training, which are not always readily available, and will make the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus an attractive proposition to travelling teams ahead of the Tokyo Games.”
The next major event on the agenda for the Irish women’s team is the Hockey Series Final, which takes place in Ireland in June 2019, with the men’s equivalent taking place in France in the same month. Both the men and women will compete at the Euro Hockey Championships next August 16-25 2019 in Antwerp, Belgium.
Chief Executive of Hockey Ireland, Jerome Pels, said: “Hockey Ireland would like to thank the Minister, the Government and Sport Ireland for their support. As we build on the success of the women’s silver World Cup medal this summer, this is a crucial development in our ability to support the high-performance teams. The Tokyo specification hockey pitch at the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus is an important part of our high-performance plan. We believe there are great benefits of being within the performance environment at the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus and having a direct connection with the other facilities such as the Sport Ireland Institute.”
It is expected that the new facility will be complete and ready for use in April 2019 at a cost of €600,000.
Dec 11, 2018
The Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) and Sport Ireland Institute today announced a ground-breaking, athlete centred partnership agreement for performance support delivery for the period 2018-2022.
The OFI and Sport Ireland also announced that Fukuroi City in Japan will host the Team Ireland pre-Games Training Camp ahead of the Toyko 2020 Olympic Games.
At the launch of the partnership Patricia Heberle was named as the Olympic Federation of Ireland’s Chef de Mission for the European Games 2019 in Minsk, and the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020. Previously the role of Chef de Mission was recruited internally or on a voluntary basis. This is the first time that it will be a professional, stand-alone role.
The new partnership with Sport Ireland Institute will deliver a comprehensive performance support programme for Team Ireland, covering athlete life-skills, sports science and medicine as well as various Games readiness activities before, during and after Games time.
Previously Irish Olympians did not always have the same medical support care team looking after their needs before, during and after Games. Instead there was often a handover of care from one medical team to another at Games time. Following feedback from athletes post the Rio Games the OFI and Sport Ireland institute came together to put this new athlete centred support plan in place.
This new partnership aims to align all sport science and medical care so that athletes can perform to their full potential. The OFI and Sport Ireland have agreed to jointly fund this new partnership and it will be delivered through partnership with the OFI, Sport Ireland Institute, the National Governing Bodies and the Performance Directors.
Speaking today, President of the Olympic Federation of Ireland Sarah Keane said,
“Today’s partnership agreement is a major step forward in placing the athlete first and comes at a crucial time as preparations for Tokyo gather pace. Our strategy is clear on the need to deliver for athletes. The appointment of Patricia Heberle as Chef de Mission in a stand-alone professional role, and the provision of Sport Science and Medical care from Sport Ireland Institute practitioners during games time makes this a very important day for High Performance sport in Ireland. Team Ireland is now functioning as a team with the whole system working together seamlessly for our athletes. I want to thank John Treacy and Sport Ireland, as well as my own Board for helping to bring it about
CEO of Sport Ireland, John Treacy, said
“On behalf of Sport Ireland, we are delighted to see this new aligned approach in the Irish High-Performance System toward Olympic Games preparation and performance. The closer collaboration throughout the Olympic Games four-year cycle between the Olympic Federation of Ireland, Sport Ireland Institute, Sport Northern Ireland and the National Governing Bodies of sport will lead to more effective and targeted use of resources, increased performance support to Team Ireland and provide the all-important continuity of care to athletes. This is a big step forward and we’d like to congratulate all parties involved who have worked very hard to put this partnership in place.”
The Olympic Federation of Ireland today also announced that it has appointed Patricia Heberle as its Chef de Mission for the European Games 2019 in Minsk, and the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020.
Patricia, a former Australian hockey player, has been working since 2017 for the Olympic Federation of Ireland as its High Performance Lead and has recently been involved in leading the Sparking Performance programme for NGB Performance Directors through the Sport Ireland Institute.
Commenting, Peter Sherrard CEO of the Olympic Federation of Ireland said,
“Today we put in place three vitally important building blocks for the road to Tokyo. Firstly, Patricia Heberle’s appointment brings a wealth of expertise and the respect of Irish High Performance system. She is a key appointment for the Olympic Federation of Ireland as we prepare for the European Games in Minsk next year and the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020. Secondly, thanks to today’s landmark agreement with Sport Ireland Institute, Patricia will be operating a unified, seamless system, where the needs of the athlete are central and delivered in partnership with the Sport Ireland Institute. Thirdly, we have also identified a very strong pre-games training camp in Fukuroi, Japan. We have done a lot to get to this point but the real work starts now, and on the best possible footing. Together we are determined to deliver for the athletes who represent us on the world stage.”
Newly appointed Chef de Mission for the Olympic Federation of Ireland, Patricia Heberle commented,
“This role means a huge amount to me. I have participated in the three Olympic games both as an athlete and a coach and the opportunity to be Chef de Mission for Team Ireland is both a huge honour and a privilege.
“I am coming into the role at a very exciting time for Irish Sport, having been involved for some time in the Irish High Performance system. The people involved, the funding coming from Government and Sport Ireland is starting to deliver some really good results. The partnerships announced today are a huge step forward in ensuring that everyone is working together for the good of the athletes and their performances.”
Fukuroi City and the Ecopa Stadium facilities have been selected as the pre-games training camp for Team Ireland prior to Tokyo 2020.
Located 90 minutes to the west of Tokyo in the Shizuoka Prefecture, the city is connected directly to Tokyo by bullet train. The city hosts the famous Ecopa Stadium, indoor arena and athletics facilities. It will also be a host city to the Rugby World Cup and is due to host the Irish Rugby team for a week in 2019, providing a large number of opportunities to develop performance synergies ahead of 2020.
Fukuroi was selected after eight other locations in Japan were reviewed by representatives from Sport Ireland, the Institute, the Olympic Federation of Ireland and its Athletes’ Commission, and presents a very strong fit for the needs of Team Ireland prior to Tokyo 2020.
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.
| Local Sports Partnership
New CSPAH Location |
Funding |
| Cavan LSP
Belturbet |
43,000 |
| Fingal LSP
Tyrrelstown/Mulhuddart |
60,600 |
| Leitrim LSP
Manorhamiliton |
60,600 |
| Meath LSP
Johnstown in Navan |
56,600 |
| Waterford LSP
Lismore, Villierstown, Cappoquin |
60,600 |
| Local Sports Partnership
Round 2 CSPAH Location |
Funding |
| Cavan LSP
Kilnaleck |
30,500 |
| Cork LSP
Northside Cork City |
40,000 |
| Donegal LSP
Stranorlar, Killybegs, Ballyshannon |
40,000 |
| Dun Laoghaire Rathdown LSP
Ballyogan |
40,000 |
| Fingal LSP
Balbriggan |
40,000 |
| Galway LSP
Ballybane/Doughiska |
40,000 |
| Kerry LSP
Cahersiveen |
40,000 |
| Kildare LSP
Athy |
40,000 |
| Longford LSP
Edgeworthstown |
40,000 |
| Mayo LSP
Balinrobe |
40,000 |
| Meath LSP
Windtown/Blackcastle in Navan |
40,000 |
| Sligo LSP
Bunninadden |
40,000 |
| South Dublin LSP
Brookfield in West Tallaght |
28,000 |
| Local Sports Partnership
Round 3 CSPAH Location |
Funding |
| Kilkenny LSP
Kilkenny City/ Ferrybank |
30,000 |
| Louth LSP
Muirhevnamor |
30,000 |
| Laois LSP
Stradbally, Vicarstown, Timahoe |
30,000 |
| Offaly LSP
Crinkle |
30,000 |
| South Dublin LSP
Colinstown North Clondalkin |
30,000 |
| Local Sports Partnership
Round 4 CSPAH Location |
Funding |
| Clare LSP
Clarisford |
20,000 |
| Cork LSP
West Cork Islands |
20,000 |
| Donegal LSP
Maghery |
20,000 |
| Limerick LSP
Croom |
20,000 |
| Mayo LSP
Ballyhaunis |
20,000 |
| Sligo LSP
Sligo East City- Cranmore |
20,000 |
| Tipperary LSP
Clonmel |
20,000 |
| Waterford LSP
Carrickphierish |
20,000 |
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.
| Local Sports Partnership |
Funding |
| Cavan LSP |
1,840 |
| Clare LSP |
17,000 |
| Cork LSP |
10,500 |
| Dublin City LSP |
12,500 |
| Dun Laoghaire Rathdown LSP |
10,000 |
| Fingal LSP |
10,000 |
| Kilkenny LSP |
17,500 |
| Laois LSP |
10,000 |
| Leitrim LSP |
10,000 |
| Limerick LSP |
6,200 |
| Longford LSP |
15,800 |
| Louth LSP |
12,500 |
| Mayo LSP |
8,600 |
| Meath LSP |
22,500 |
| Monaghan LSP |
3,600 |
| Offaly LSP |
20,000 |
| Roscommon LSP |
5,000 |
| South Dublin LSP |
19,000 |
| Tipperary LSP |
10,000 |
| Waterford LSP |
6,200 |
| Wexford LSP |
15,000 |
| Wicklow LSP |
6,000 |
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.
| Local Sports Partnership |
Funding |
| Carlow LSP |
11,725 |
| Cavan LSP |
14,755 |
| Cork LSP |
15,000 |
| Donegal LSP |
15,000 |
| Dublin City LSP |
15,000 |
| Fingal LSP |
9,000 |
| Kerry LSP |
15,000 |
| Kildare LSP |
15,000 |
| Kilkenny LSP |
15,000 |
| Laois LSP |
15,000 |
| Limerick LSP |
15,000 |
| Louth LSP |
15,000 |
| Mayo LSP |
15,000 |
| Meath LSP |
15,000 |
| Offaly LSP |
15,000 |
| Roscommon LSP |
15,000 |
| Sligo LSP |
15,000 |
| Tipperary LSP |
15,000 |
| Waterford LSP |
9,520 |
| Wexford LSP |
15,000 |
| Wicklow LSP |
15,000 |
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.
| Project |
Funding |
| ASPIRE Graduate Programme Phase 2 |
250,000 |
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.
| Local Sports Partnership |
Funding |
| Carlow LSP |
10,000 |
| Cavan LSP |
10,000 |
| Clare LSP |
10,000 |
| Cork LSP |
10,000 |
| Dublin City LSP |
10,000 |
| Dun Laoghaire Rathdown LSP |
10,000 |
| Kerry LSP |
10,000 |
| Kildare LSP |
10,000 |
| Kilkenny LSP |
10,000 |
| Laois LSP |
10,000 |
| Leitrim LSP |
10,000 |
| Mayo LSP |
10,000 |
| Meath LSP |
10,000 |
| Monaghan LSP |
10,000 |
| Offaly LSP |
10,000 |
| Sligo LSP |
10,000 |
| South Dublin LSP |
3,500 |
| Tipperary LSP |
10,000 |
| Waterford LSP |
10,000 |
| CARA |
16,500 |
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.
| Project |
Funding |
| CARA |
170,000 |
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
| Project |
Funding |
| CARA |
25,000 |
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.
| Local Sports Partnership |
Funding |
| Carlow LSP |
41,770 |
| Donegal LSP |
30,000 |
| Dublin City LSP |
41,770 |
| Fingal LSP |
8,000 |
| Kilkenny LSP |
41,770 |
| Laois LSP |
41,770 |
| Leitrim LSP |
25,000 |
| Longford LSP |
20,060 |
| Mayo LSP |
41,770 |
| Offaly LSP |
41,715 |
| Sligo LSP |
41,770 |
| Tipperary LSP |
41,770 |
| Waterford LSP |
24,835 |
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.
| Project |
Funding |
| Dublin City LSP |
30,000 |
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.
| Project |
Funding |
| Limerick LSP |
35,000 |
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’.
| National Governing Body |
Funding |
| Athletics Ireland |
100,000 |
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.
| National Governing Body |
Funding |
| Cycling Ireland |
100,000 |
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”.
| National Governing Body |
Funding |
| Swim Ireland |
100,000 |
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.
| Project |
Funding |
| Get Ireland Walking |
90,000 |
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’.
| National Governing Body |
Funding |
| Irish Sailing |
45,000 |
| Rowing Ireland |
45,000 |
| Special Olympics |
45,000 |
| Tennis Ireland |
45,000 |
| Triathlon Ireland |
45,000 |
| Hockey Ireland |
45,000 |
| IWA – Sport |
45,000 |
| Badminton Ireland |
35,000 |
| Basketball Ireland |
35,000 |
| Mountaineering Ireland |
35,000 |
| Orienteering Ireland |
30,000 |
| Vision Sports Ireland |
30,000 |
| Gymnastics Ireland |
30,000 |
| Volleyball Ireland |
30,000 |
| Table Tennis Ireland |
25,000 |
| Fencing Ireland |
25,000 |
| Horse Sport Ireland |
20,000 |
| Irish Athletic Boxing Association |
20,000 |
| Irish Tug of War Association |
20,000 |
| Football Association of Ireland |
20,000 |
| Irish Surfing Association |
18,000 |
| Speleological Union of Ireland |
10,000 |
| Angling Council Of Ireland |
10,000 |
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.
| Project |
Funding |
| Physical Literacy & Fundamental Movement Skills interventions |
75,000
|
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.
| Project |
Funding |
| Evidence Based Communications
Campaign |
375,000 |
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.
| Project |
Funding |
| Coaching Young People |
35,000 |
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.
| Project |
Funding |
| Coaching People with Disabilities |
50,000 |
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.
| Project |
Funding |
| Coaching Development Programme for Ireland |
25,000 |
