May 4, 2018
Peter Miskimmin has a wealth of experience as an athlete, coach and sports leader.
Peter was appointed Chief Executive of Sport NZ in 2008. Since then he has overseen New Zealand’s most successful Olympic Games (Beijing, London and Rio) and driven a significant step change in community sport thinking and implementation.
Prior to his time at Sport NZ Peter spent 17 years at New Zealand Post, where he held a number of senior management roles in the sales, marketing and commercial sides of the business.
A two time Olympian (Los Angeles and Barcelona), Peter has been Captain of the New Zealand Men’s Hockey Team, played 150 test matches for his country and twice won the New Zealand Hockey Player of the Year Award. He is currently a selector for the national men’s side, the Black Sticks.
Peter has coached at provincial and international level, winning national titles on several occasions. He coached the Junior Black Sticks at the 2009 Junior Hockey World Cup where the team (ranked 12th) finished 4th. He continues to volunteer as a Premier 1 coach at his local hockey club.
He has served on the Boards of the New Zealand Olympic Committee and the New Zealand Sports Foundation and SPARC. He was member of the New Zealand Olympic Committee’s Athletes Commission for ten years (1992 – 2000) and was Chair for eight of those years. In 2000 Peter established the Olympic Club of NZ and was President for twelve years. He has also attended the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games as Head of Athlete Services within the New Zealand Games management team.
#SportMatters
Apr 30, 2018
The Federation of Irish Sport will host Mr Pat Breen, Minister for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market & Data Protection, along with officials from the Department of the Taoiseach and the office of the Data Protection Commissioner at the conference centre on the National Sport Campus, Blanchardstown on Wednesday May 9th at 10am to discuss and answer any queries or concerns sporting organisations may have on GDPR.
For all the members who wish to attend this event please register by clicking on
Schedule for the day:
9.15am – 10am Tea/coffee pastries
10am – Welcome Mary O’Connor CEO Federation of Irish Sport
10.05am – Minster Pat Breen
10.20am – GDPR Q&A with Minister Pat Breen, Department of Taoiseach Officials and members of Data Protection Commissioner officials
11.30am – Event ends
#SportMatters
Apr 27, 2018
Two time Olympian and current chief executive of Sport New Zealand, Peter Miskimmin, will be in Dublin at the end of May to deliver the keynote address at this year’s Federation of Irish Sport Conference, which is scheduled to be held in Trinity College Dublin on Thursday 31st May. Appointed Chief Executive of Sport New Zealand in 2008, he has overseen New Zealand’s most successful Olympic Games (Beijing, London, and Rio) and driven a significant step change in community sport thinking and implementation.
The theme of the Conference is “Sport: The New Zealand Way. Grassroots to Greats. What can Ireland learn?” Miskimmmin, and his colleague Geoff Barry who heads up Sport New Zealand’s Community Sport programme, will share the experiences that have helped to create highly successful programmes across all areas of sport in New Zealand. Full details of the Conference and how to book can be found at irishsport.ie/newzealand
Minister of State at Department for Transport, Tourism, and Sport, Mr. Brendan Griffin TD will in attendance to open the conference. Sarah Keane, who has done such a wonderful job since taking over as President of the Olympic Council of Ireland will address the topic of ” Why Olympic Sport is Important”, while Mary O’Connor chief executive of the Federation will look at what could be achieved by Irish sport with more targeted investment in people and programmes.
The success of sport in New Zealand, both in terms of participation and also at High Performance level, has been referenced by a number of Ireland’s politicians in recent years. The Taoiseach Mr Leo Varadkar TD, referenced in his election manifesto New Zealand’s haul of 19 medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics as a target that Ireland should be aiming to match. New Zealand with a population similar to Ireland has also enjoyed major success at increasing participation levels across all sports, as it uses sport to create a healthier population.
Speaking about the Conference Mary O’Connor said that the Federation was delighted that Sport New Zealand had agreed to participate. ” They really have been successful at all levels of sport and it is a real coup for the Federation that they have agreed to participate, and to share the plans and strategies that have made sport in New Zealand so successful. I would urge anyone with an interest in the future of sport in Ireland to attend. I have no doubt that given the similarities between our two countries that we will discover insights and initiatives that might equally apply to Irish Sport. “
The Speakers;
Peter Miskimmin, the CEO of Sport New Zealand has a wealth of experience as an athlete, coach, and sports leader.
Prior to his time at Sport NZ Peter spent 17 years at New Zealand Post, where he held a number of senior management roles in the sales, marketing and commercial sides of the business. A two time Olympian (Los Angeles and Barcelona), Peter has been Captain of the New Zealand Men’s Hockey Team. He played 150 test matches for his country and twice won the New Zealand Hockey Player of the Year Award. He is currently a selector for the national men’s side, the Black Sticks.
He has served on the Boards of the New Zealand Olympic Committee and the New Zealand Sports Foundation and SPARC. He was member of the New Zealand Olympic Committee’s Athletes Commission for ten years (1992 – 2000) and was Chair for eight of those years. In 2000 Peter established the Olympic Club of NZ and was President for twelve years. He has also attended the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
Geoff Barry is currently the General Manager of Community Sport at Sport New Zealand and came to the role in late 2012, after three years as Chief Executive of the Canterbury West Coast Sports Trust. Previous to that he had been chief executive of Surf Life Saving New Zealand for nine years.
As an administrator he has held positions on the national board of Water Polo, Surf Life Saving and NZ Universities Rugby League. He has also been active at committee level in international lifesaving.
Geoff has been responsible for leading the development and implementation of the 2015-2020 Community Sport Strategy. The Strategy is a material shift from a historic focus on partners and more traditional competitive sports. Sport NZ is now a ‘Participant-focused’ organisation with emphasis on understanding participation and participant decision making and influencing the system to respond. With a young person focus, Sport NZ is looking to develop a life-long love of being physically active by improving the quality opportunities, support, and experiences in sport, recreation, and play.
Sarah Keane is the Chief Executive Officer, Swim Ireland and President, Olympic Council of Ireland. Sarah is the first Chief Executive Officer of Swim Ireland – the National Governing Body for Swimming, Water Polo, Diving and associated Aquatic Disciplines on the island of Ireland. She has held this position for over ten years.
Sarah was elected (February 2017) as the first female President of the Olympic Council of Ireland. She was first elected to the Board of the Olympic Council of Ireland in 2014. Sarah represented Ireland at the European Olympic Council’s Women in Sport & Leadership Talent Event in Poland in April 2015.
Sarah is a qualified solicitor and is a Matheson Alumni having worked with Matheson Solicitors, a leading Irish law firm, prior to taking up her CEO position with Swim Ireland.
Sarah is also a member of the Board of Ireland Active (an umbrella body for many organisations involved in the leisure and fitness industry in Ireland). She is a former member of both the Board of the Federation of Irish Sport (the umbrella body for sporting organisations in Ireland) and the Irish Sport Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel.
Mary O’Connor is CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport. She is a native of Cork and has worked in sport all her professional life and is an avid sports fan.
In 2016 Mary graduated from University College Cork with a Masters in Voluntary and Community Sector Management. Before joining the Federation of Irish Sport, Mary worked with the Camogie Association as Director of Technical Development and Participation. She excelled in this role and led the association in to an unprecedented era of growth. Under her direction as Acting CEO of the Camogie Association in 2013, she successfully guided the association through change in the form of the new affiliation model for individual members, which saw camogie ensure a more equitable membership structure for all clubs.
Mary has represented her native Cork in both Camogie and Ladies football amassing a total of 12 Senior All Ireland medals over a 16-year dual intercounty career. She has won All Stars in both codes, national leagues and provincial titles and more recently was honoured with an Honorary Doctorate from University College Cork (2012) in recognition of her amazing contribution to sport in Ireland.
For further information please visit irishsport.ie/newzealand early bird tickets are priced at €30 with general admission at €35 and a special offer of buy six get one free.
Apr 16, 2018
You are invited to a FREE seminar on
Financing Sporting Ambition
Clann Credo Community Loan Finance
in association with Connacht GAA
Connacht GAA Centre
Cloonacurry, Bekan, Claremorris, Co. Mayo
Thursday April 26th from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm
Following the announcement of the 2017 Sports Capital Programme in December, many clubs have been busy finalising their project plans. Others are considering purchasing equipment and looking at sources of finance for future improvements to club facilities.
Loan finance is often needed for Sports Capital funded projects such as upgrades to playing surfaces, training facilities and buildings. The grant is only released once the associated works or equipment have been paid for, and many sports clubs encounter difficulties in accessing loans on reasonable terms.
The seminar is aimed at all sports clubs who have successfully applied for a Sports Capital grant, or who are planning sports development projects in 2018.
Speakers on the night will include:
Gerry McGovern President of Connacht Council GAA – Welcome
Tracey Hannon Western Representative, Clann Credo Community Loan Finance on how loan finance can boost club development projects.
John Prenty Secretary of Connacht Council GAA on supports available from the GAA
Charlie Lambert Mayo Sports Partnership on grants and supports available to clubs in Mayo.
John Gallagher Chairperson of Belmullet GAA Club on their experience of developing their clubhouse and stand.
For more information and to register click https://financingsportingambition.eventbrite.ie or call 01 400 2100
€10m Community Sports Loan Fund
Clann Credo’s new €10m Community Sports Loan Fund helps amateur sports clubs and community groups to access sports grants and funding by providing them with Community Loan Finance.
Clubs planning improvements to sporting facilities often face difficulties in accessing finance on reasonable terms. Committee or board members may be asked to give personal guarantees or even to borrow in their own names. Clann Credo never asks a volunteer to guarantee a club’s loan.
Clann Credo is a not for profit charity which not only considers the ability to repay a loan, but also the impact your project has on your community.
Clann Credo has already invested in more than 100 amateur sports clubs around the country, enabling more people to enjoy the benefits of sport, providing better facilities, better club houses, better training facilities, better equipment.
Some of the sports Clann Credo has funded include: GAA; Judo; Soccer; Watersports; Archery; Baseball; Gymnastics and Community field sports.
Unique Features
In all cases:
- Personal guarantees are NOT required
- Interest rates are affordable
- Clann Credo welcomes early repayments and does not penalise for early repayment, even when the interest rate is fixed
- No application form to fill in
- FREE Financial check by Clann Credo
- FREE Clann Credo specialist workshops places
- FREE 1-year membership of The Wheel (Umbrella community organisation)
- It supports voluntary effort because is also a voluntary organisation and registered charity.
For more information visit www.clanncredo.ie
Twitter: #10mSportsFund
Apr 6, 2018
March 2018
‘Actions Speak Louder than Words’, a women in sport event was jointly hosted last Thursday by the Olympic Council of Ireland and Federation of Irish Sport. 50 guests across Sporting Federations, Sport Ireland, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport alongside athletes and a number of media representatives attended the discussion around a proposal on how to support and enhance the position of women in sport in Ireland.
Guests enjoyed a reception in advance of the event where wine, tea, coffee and canapes were served. Sarah O’Connor, Head of Sport in Wilson Hartnell welcomed guests to the event, hosted in the picturesque setting and home of WH at 6 Ely Place with MC Evanne Ni Chuillinn beginning the evenings proceedings by welcoming President of the Olympic Council, Sarah Keane, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport, Mary O’Connor as well as a number of VIP guests including incoming CEO of the Olympic Council, Peter Sherrard, Chair of the Athletes Commission, Shane O’Connor as well as Una May from Sport Ireland.
Sarah Keane spoke, followed by Mary O’Connor to introduce the event, discussing the importance of Women in Sport to them and not just that, but the importance of putting opinions and ideas into action.
Guests were then invited by Evanne Ni Chuillinn to join in an interactive session, splitting into five groups to offer opinions on one question each, with a list of five questions developed by Sarah and Mary in advance of the event.
- We propose setting up a Women In Sport foundation to take the movement forward. Do you agree, should there be an organisation at all? If so, what would the structure be? If not, what other options/alternatives are there.
- How do we resource a Women In Sport Foundation? What resources are likely to be required?
- We need a plan to progress all of the talk. Discuss a potential vision, mission, values and strategic objectives
- There are a lot of different areas when we reference ‘Women In sport’. Name those that you feel should be covered by the work of this organisation or its alternative and why
- Are there any initiatives that could be taken forward by this organisation/its alternative that could really make a difference in this area and what are they?
Groups were then requested to present back their opinions and ideas following a 30-minute brainstorm to which Sarah Keane and Mary O’Connor offered closing discussions. Strong thoughts were presented by each group with real vision for change which The Federation and the Olympic Council will action over the coming months.
The event was concluded with a short drinks reception.
Agreed action:-
All feedback will be considered and a position paper will be prepared on this topic and will be available in due course.
Mary O Connor Sarah Keane
CEO Federation of Irish Sport. President
Irish Sport HQ, National Sports Campus Olympic Council of Ireland
Blanchardstown, Dublin1 5 Olympic House,
T +35316251155/ M +353860437884 Harbour Road, Howth, Co. Dublin.
www.irishsport.ie www.olympics.ie
Mar 20, 2018
Press Release:
Clann Credo team up with the Federation of Irish Sport to promote €10 million community sports loan fund. Clann Credo have funded over 100 sports projects to date
Tuesday, 20th March 2018, The Federation of Irish Sport has teamed up with Clann Credo, a charity that provides loan finance to community projects nationwide. Clann Credo recently announced details of a dedicated community sports loan fund of €10 Million. They have partnered with the Federation of Irish Sport to promote the availability of the fund to the Irish Sports Community, to assist in the financing of development or improvements to training facilities, club houses or the purchasing of equipment.
Clann Credo have funded over 100 voluntary sports clubs and community-managed sports facilities to date. Cherry Orchard Football Club, based in Ballyfermot, Dublin was one of the clubs that availed of a Community Loan from Clann Credo in 2016 to facilitate the development of an all-weather pitch. Other projects to receive loans include Cork Boat Club, Achill GAA Club and Tullow Tennis Club. These loans helped these clubs to maximise the impact of Sports Capital grants from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and spread the upfront cost of the investment over time.
The Sports Capital Programme is the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport’s primary means of providing Government funding to community based sports organisations. The programme has a hugely positive impact, facilitating the development or upgrade of sports facilities nationwide.
However, these grant schemes generally require clubs to pay for the project up front before drawing the grant. This is a real challenge to clubs who don’t have access to the necessary finance in advance. In addition, clubs are often asked to provide evidence of matched funding to qualify for a grant which can be difficult for sports clubs who don’t already have the funds raised.
Banks in these circumstances often look for personal guarantees from the club’s committee members who are volunteers, creating a barrier to finance for sports clubs in these circumstances. The Federation of Irish Sport and Clann Credo Community Sport Loan Partnership will allow sports clubs to access loans of up to €500,000 without the need for personal guarantees. The application process is user friendly with the focus in determining suitability for a loan being the impact of the project on the club and the community it serves as well as ability to repay.
Loans can be repaid over a 2 to 15-year period with the interest rates which typically range from 4.95% to 6.75% depending on both the term of the loan and the amount being borrowed.
Speaking at the announcement, The Federation of Irish Sport CEO, Mary O’Connor said:
“The 12,000 sports clubs nationwide play a vital role in communities right around Ireland. Ensuring adequate facilities are available and once available, are maintained and upgraded appropriately is a real challenge. Access to finance for clubs given their voluntary and not for profit nature through traditional financing channels usually doesn’t work so we are delighted that through this partnership we can highlight the availability of this tailored community funding scheme to Irish Sporting Organisations and their clubs.”
“Paul O’Sullivan, Chief Executive of Clann Credo said:“Clann Credo have been providing Community Loan Finance to Ireland’s charitable and not for profit sector since 1996. Sport makes up a significant portion of Ireland’s not for profit sector and with more than 500,000 Irish adults volunteering, sport is the single biggest driver of volunteerism in Ireland. We are delighted to partner with the Federation of Irish Sport, as the representative body for Ireland’s National Sporting Organisations, to build on Clann Credo’s mission of providing finance to community groups throughout Ireland. This much-needed, dedicated fund will allow Ireland’s sports clubs to maximise the funding channels available to them to develop and upgrade their facilities and purchase equipment, all vital in ensuring communities have the opportunity to participate in sporting activities.”
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Wilson Hartnell
Sarah O’Connor / Shane Nolan
sarah.oconnor@ogilvy.com / shane.nolan@ogilvy.com
086 8048446 / 086 0835402
