Dec 10, 2018
National Irish Language broadcaster TG4 is delighted to announce that it has come on board as a Media Partner for the 20×20 Women in Sport initiative.
The announcement was made live, during the broadcasting of the All Ireland Ladies Football Club Finals on TG4 this weekend.
TG4 are recognised as having supported women in sport for many years and have pioneered the broadcasting and helped increase the profile of womens sport since they were set up in 1996. This new media partnership will see TG4 consolidate this development, while increasing the visibility and coverage of womens sport at all levels of the stations output.
The 20×20 initiative is about creating a cultural shift in the perception of girls and women in sport. It seeks to change the subliminal bias in the Irish psyche that exists around girls and boys, or women and men, when it comes to sport.
Welcoming the new development, TG4 Head of Sport, Rónán Ó Coisdealbha says:
“TG4 are delighted to lend their support to the 20×20 campaign which is a fantastic initiative, presented by The Federation of Irish Sport. Our partnership with 20×20 will only serve to continue our committment to women in sport in an exciting sporting landscape. Our successful collaboration with the LGFA, as well as our coverage of women in other sports such as camogie, basketball, tennis, badminton. swimming, athletics and more, has been an integral part of our development policy. This year alone TG4 broadcast around 90 hours of womens’ sport reaching almost 1.2 million people, including live events, highlights, news reports and documentaries. We look forward to building on this strong foundation and to increase visibility and awareness across a range of sports on TG4 in the coming years.”.
Mary O’Connor, CEO Federation of Irish Sport has welcomed the announcement that TG4 are set to become a media partner for the 20×20 campaign.
“The Federation of Irish Sport are delighted to have the support of TG4 for the duration of the 20×20 campaign. TG4 have been dedicated supporters and promoters of sport in Ireland and have been particularly positive in their coverage of women’s sport. We are delighted to have them on board with 20×20 in what we know will be a hugely positive addition to the campaign. By joining us in helping to increase the visibility of women in sport over the next two years they are furthering their commitment to promoting women in sport which can only serve to strengthen the campaign moving forward”.
The 20×20 initiative has been devised by creative agency, Along Came a Spider. Speaking on the TG4 announcement Managing Director, Sarah Colgan says:
“TG4 are already known for giving a great platform to women’s sport and are very strong addition as an Official Media Partner of 20×20. As a broadcaster, the increased visibility they will being to female athletes, teams and competitions is hugely valuable and we are looking forward to working together over the lifetime of the initiative.”
The name of the initiative is shorthand for 20% by 2020, these are the targets that have been set by the campaign:
20% more media coverage of women in sport by the end of 2020
20% more female participation whether at player, coach, referee or administration level by the end of 2020
20% more attendance at women’s games and events by the end of 2020
20×20 isn’t a ‘women for women’ initiative, it’s ‘all of society for all of society’. The campaign utilises the tagline ‘If she can’t see it, She can’t be it’, ‘Mar a fheictear a dhéantar’.
For more information on the campaign go to: www.20×20.ie
Or, contact Sinead Conroy at sinead.conroy@irishsport.ie
ENDS
Pic: Mary O’Connor, CEO Federation of Irish Sport & Gráinne McElwain, Spórt TG4, at the announcement in Parnell Park.
É fógartha ag TG4 gurb é Comhpháirtí Meán Cumarsáide 20×20 é
Tá ríméad ar TG4, an craoltóir náisiúnta Gaeilge, a fhógairt gurb é an stáisiún Comhpháirtí Meán Cumarsáide an tionscnaimh 20×20 Mná sa Spórt.
Rinneadh an fógra beo le linn Chluichí Craoibhe Pheil na mBan a bheith á gcraoladh ar TG4 ar an deireadh seachtaine.
Aithnítear TG4 leis an tacaíocht atá tugtha ag an gcainéal do mhná i spórt le blianta fada agus bhí sé i dtús cadhnaíochta i dtaobh spórt na mban a chraoladh agus próifíl spórt na mban a mhéadú ó bunaíodh an stáisiún i 1996. Déanfaidh an chomhpháirtíocht meán cumarsáide nua seo an dul chun cinn atá déanta ag TG4 ina leith sin a fhorbairt tuilleadh. Cuirfear leis an méid spóirt do mhná a bheidh le feiceáil ar an stáisiún agus á gclúdach i gcláir an stáisiúin.
Is éard atá i gceist leis an tionscnamh 20×20 ná athrú a thabhairt chun cinn sa meon atá ann i leith cailíní agus mná a bheith ag imirt spóirt. Féachtar leis an gclaontacht sin i sícé na hÉireann maidir le cailíní agus buachaillí, nó mná agus fir a athrú mar a bhaineann le spórt.
D’fháiltigh Ceannasaí Spóirt TG4, Rónán Ó Coistealbha, leis an bhforbairt agus dúirt:
“Tá ríméad ar TG4 tacú leis an bhfeachtas 20×20, tionscnamh iontach é arna reáchtáil ag Cónaidhm Spóirt na hÉireann. Leis an gcomhpháirtíocht seo le 20×20, leantar do thacaíocht an stáisiúin do mhná i spórt tráth a bhfuil tírdhreach iontach spóirt ann. Cuid thábhachtach dár mbeartas forbartha is ea an chomhpháirtíocht leis an LGFA, comhpháirtíocht a bhfuil ag éirí thar cionn léi, chomh maith leis an gclúdach a dhéanann an stáisiún ar spóirt eile mar camógaíocht, cispheil, leadóg, badmantan, snámh, lúthchleasaíocht agus tuilleadh. Chraol TG4 90 n-uair an chloig de spórt na mban i mbliana ann féin chuig beagnach 1.2 milliún duine. Ina measc bhí imeachtaí beo, buaicphointí, tuairiscí nuachta agus cláir faisnéise. Táimid ag súil cur leis an mbonn láidir sin agus cur leis an méid a bheidh le feiceáil ar TG4 sna blianta atá romhainn chomh maith le feasacht ar spórt na mban a ardú”.
Chuir Mary O’Connor, Príomhfheidhmeannach Chónaidhm Spóirt na hÉireann fáilte roimh an bhfógra go bhfuil TG4 ar tí dul i mbun comhpháirtíochta leis an bhfeachtas 20×20.
“Tá Cónaidhm Spóirt na hÉireann thar a bheith sásta tacaíocht a bheith aici ó TG4 don chuid eile den fheachtas 20×20. Bhí TG4 dílis i gcónaí tacú le spórt in Éirinn agus é a chur chun cinn agus rinne an-obair i dtaobh an chlúdaigh a dhéantar ar spórt na mban. Táimid thar a bheith sásta iad a bheith ar bord le 20×20, rud atá a fhios againn a chuirfidh go mór leis an bhfeachtas. Trí chuidiú linn cur le hinfheictheacht na mban i spórt sa dá bhliain atá ag teacht, tá siad ag treisiú tuilleadh a dtiomantais mná i spórt a chur chun cinn agus ní fhéadfadh sin ach an feachtas a neartú amach anseo”.
An ghníomhaireacht cruthaitheachta Along Came a Spider a cheap an tionscnamh 20×20. Maidir le fógra TG4, dúirt Sarah Colgan, an Stiúrthóir Bainistíochta,:
“Tá TG4 aitheanta cheana i dtaobh an ardáin iontaigh a thugann siad do spórt na mban agus cuirfidh an stáisiún go mór le 20×20 mar Chomhpháirtí Oifigiúil Meán Cumarsáide ag an tionscnamh. Mar chraoltóir, níl cur síos ar an tábhacht a bheidh leis an méadú a bheidh ar infheictheacht lúthchleasaithe, foirne agus comórtais na mban agus táimid ag súil oibriú in éineacht le TG4 fad a bheidh an tionscnamh ar bun.”
Is giorrúchán é ainm an tionscnaimh ar 20% faoin mbliain 2020. Sin iad na spriocanna atá leagtha amach ag an bhfeachtas:
Méadú 20% ar an gclúdach a dhéantar sna meáin ar mhná i spórt faoi dheireadh na bliana 2020
Méadú 20% ar rannpháirtíocht na mban i spórt faoi dheireadh na bliana 2020 cibé ag leibhéal imreora, cóitseála, réiteora nó riaracháin
Méadú 20% ar an tinreamh ag cluichí agus imeachtaí spóirt na mban faoi dheireadh na bliana 2020.
Ní tionscnamh é 20×20 atá ar bun ag ‘mná ar mhaithe le mná’ ach tionscnamh a bhfuil ‘an tsochaí uile ar mhaithe leis an uile dhuine sa tsochaí’. ‘Mar a fheictear a dhéantar’ mana an fheachtais.
Chun tuilleadh eolais a fháil ar an bhfeachtas téigh chuig: www.20×20.ie
Nó, déan teagmháil le Sinead Conroy ag sinead.conroy@irishsport.ie
CRÍOCH
Grianghraif: Mary O’Connor, Príomhfheidhmeannach Chónaidhm Spóirt na hÉireann & Gráinne McElwain, Spórt TG4, ag an bhfógairt i bPáirc Parnell.
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.
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.”
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
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
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.
