Take a look at this fantastic drone footage of the National Sports Campus

Jul 1, 2016

Work on the National Sports Campus in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 is continuing at an exciting rate.

Tobin Consulting Engineers have created this amazing, up-to-date drone footage of the campus. The video shows the spectacular and unique bird’s-eye view of both the completed facilities and the ‘works in progress’.

Take a look!

Minister for Sport addresses NGBs and LSPs for the first time

May 30, 2016

The newly elected Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD, took to the stage on Thursday, 26^th May to address Ireland’s National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) and Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) for the first time since taking the office.

Speaking at the Federation of Irish Sport (FIS) Annual Conference 2016 in the spectacular Hogan Mezzanine Suite at Dublin’s Croke Park, Minister Ross welcomed the opportunity to meet with NGBs, LSPs and other sports stakeholders and to work closely with them during his tenure as Minister for Sport.  The Minister outlined that his priority for sport over the coming months is the development of a 10-year National Sports Policy Framework.

Minister Ross said:  “I will shortly be publishing a detailed Public Consultation document and inviting the sports sector, stakeholders in the public and private sector and the general public to respond to questions under a wide range of topics about the future of Irish sport.

“I recognise the importance of sport in the daily lives of Irish people and the benefits that investment in sport has economically, socially and on the health of the general population. It is imperative that we continue to recognise the crucial role that sport plays in Ireland. I look forward to hearing the opinions, views and ideas that stakeholders will have about the future shape of Irish Sport Policy.”

The FIS Annual Conference – the only of its kind in Ireland – brought together NGBs and LSPs, along with leaders in government and business, to share ideas, learn from experts, meet industry exhibitors and engage in lively, sports-related debate.

The theme of this year’s event was ‘Building Leadership Capabilities in Sport’, and the Keynote Address was delivered by John Steele, Executive Director of Sport at Loughborough University, Founder and Owner of Unforgiving Minute and Chairman of the English Institute of Sport.

Steele’s previous experience in sport includes a career as a professional rugby player, Head Coach of the Northampton Saints’ Heineken Cup-winning team of 2000, Chief Executive of the Rugby Football Union and Chief Executive of UK Sport.

Also speaking on the day was the President of the Olympic Council of Ireland Pat Hickey, Dublin Senior Football Manager Jim Gavin, Director of the Irish Institute of Sport Gary Keegan, CEO of Swim Ireland Sarah Keane and Director of Human Resources at the Irish Defence Forces Training Camp Lt. Col. Mark Prendergast.

A total of 160 sports people and stakeholders, government officials and business delegates packed the conference room, including Olympians Ronnie Delaney, Joe Ward, Darren O’Neill and David Oliver Joyce.

James Galvin, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport, said: “The Federation of Irish Sport’s Annual Conference has undoubtedly become our flagship event, giving our member organisations a unique opportunity to engage with each other, along with leaders from both government and business. We want to ensure that girls and boys; women and men, regardless of ethnic and socio-economic background or age, have a reasonable expectation of access to sport and physical activity at whatever level they choose.  Because we believe Sport Matters – it matters for health and well-being; it matters because it helps young people perform better in school and it matters because it brings our communities together. We also want to create talent pipelines to enable young people who possess exceptional talent and potential in a particular sport to represent this country on the greatest sporting stages.

“Sport also matters for public policy. We know investment in sport produces positive outcomes relating to the economy, health, education, as well as other positive social outcomes. To get there we need leadership, teamwork, commitment and action.”

The Irish Times seek the ‘Best Sports Club in Ireland’

Apr 26, 2016

The Irish Times is on the hunt for the Best Sports Club in Ireland: clubs with great spirit, great communities and great achievements.

This sporting competition is all about the taking part, not the winning.  The club can be large or small, urban or rural, cup winner or community club.

The winning sports club, to be announced in June, will receive a prize of €5,000, with a further €1,000 for another deserving entrant. The prize is provided by the National Dairy Council (NDC), the competition’s sponsor.

The winner will be decided by a panel of judges chosen by The Irish Times. Judges will make their decision based on criteria including community involvement, club spirit and, of course, sporting achievement.

Conor Goodman, Irish Times Features Editor and chair of the judging panel, says: “This is a genuine celebration of participation rather than of sporting prowess, an effort to recognise the great local organisations around Ireland, minority-interest groups, tight teams, bands of driven individuals, volunteers, fans, drivers, substitutes, supporters, sandwich makers, goal scorers, committee members, fundraisers, visionaries, chairpersons, coaches, kit launderers, parents and local heroes.”

Rob and David Kearney launched The Best Sports Club in Ireland with a photo shoot on Tuesday, 12th April. NDC chief executive Zoë Kavanagh says that The Best Sports Club in Ireland sponsorship celebrates the positive role that dairy can play in sports nutrition, at whatever level you play or enjoy sports.

“In the area of sports nutrition, milk is recognized as a convenient, affordable and accessible option post-sport/exercise.  Following a healthy, balanced diet is essential for any athlete regardless of sport or competitive level, and the timing and type of foods chosen can impact performance” says Kavanagh.  Kavanagh explains that Rob and Dave Kearney, who grew up on a farm in Co Louth, have been ambassadors for the National Dairy Council since the start of 2014. “They have been superb role models, resonating with people of all ages and helping us to promote the benefits of dairy as part of a balanced diet and active lifestyle,” says Kavanagh.

This is the fifth such competition run by The Irish Times. In 2012 we named Westport, Co Mayo, as the Best Place to Live in Ireland; in 2013 Loop Head, Co Clare, won the title of Best Place to Holiday in Ireland; and in 2014, with an emphasis on outdoor activity, we chose Erris, Co Mayo, as the Best Place to Go Wild in Ireland. Last year Killarney National Park, in Co Kerry, was named the Best Day Out in Ireland.

In all these contests the information that you have supplied has been central. So get writing.

Nominate your club, and find full terms and conditions at www.irishtimes.com/bestsportsclub.