Federation of Irish Sport launch 2020-2020 Strategic Plan
The Federation of Irish Sport have launched their plan for the organisation for the next three years which includes their mission to be an authoritative and independent voice for Irish sport. The plan, developed in consultation with the Federation of Irish Sport board, member base and staff, highlights the key goals and actions that will see the organisation through an exciting three years as an umbrella body for 108 sporting organisations.
Federation of Irish Sport CEO Mary O’Connor said, “The launch of our new strategic plan solidifies our vision for sport in Ireland and showcases the effective actions we will take to help sport and physical activity achieve all it can over the next three years. Furthermore, the goals outlined for the organisation itself will assist us in continuing to deliver quality representation and service to all our member organisations. The plan is a significant positive step for all at the Federation, our members and key stakeholders as we move into the next phase of our own development”.
Speaking at the launch of the plan, Federation Chairperson Roddy Guiney explained, “the landscape of sport and physical activity has changed substantially since the Federation’s last strategic plan in 2014. The introduction of the National Sports Policy by government in 2018 was a considerable step forward for the sector and the Federation is committed to ensuring its implementation as one of our key strategic priorities for the next three years. While the landscape changes, our own mission and values remain largely the same as we continue to strive to be an independent voice for Irish sport”.
The Federation will continue to focus on representing its members and lobbying government on their behalf. As part of this work the Federation strives to showcase the many reasons that sport and physical activity matter to Irish society – from health to social inclusion to economic return through campaign led communications and centrepiece events throughout the year.
In summary, the plan details the Federation’s three key goals as
1) successful implementation of the national sports policy
2) enhance the operational capacity of members through support services
3) represent members effectively.
Read the plan in full here
The Federation of Irish Sport have launched their plan for the organisation for the next three years which includes their mission to be an authoritative and independent voice for Irish sport. The plan, developed in consultation with the Federation of Irish Sport board, member base and staff, highlights the key goals and actions that will see the organisation through an exciting three years as an umbrella body for 108 sporting organisations.
Federation of Irish Sport CEO Mary O’Connor said, “The launch of our new strategic plan solidifies our vision for sport in Ireland and showcases the effective actions we will take to help sport and physical activity achieve all it can over the next three years. Furthermore, the goals outlined for the organisation itself will assist us in continuing to deliver quality representation and service to all our member organisations. The plan is a significant positive step for all at the Federation, our members and key stakeholders as we move into the next phase of our own development”.
Speaking at the launch of the plan, Federation Chairperson Roddy Guiney explained, “the landscape of sport and physical activity has changed substantially since the Federation’s last strategic plan in 2014. The introduction of the National Sports Policy by government in 2018 was a considerable step forward for the sector and the Federation is committed to ensuring its implementation as one of our key strategic priorities for the next three years. While the landscape changes, our own mission and values remain largely the same as we continue to strive to be an independent voice for Irish sport”.
The Federation will continue to focus on representing its members and lobbying government on their behalf. As part of this work the Federation strives to showcase the many reasons that sport and physical activity matter to Irish society – from health to social inclusion to economic return through campaign led communications and centrepiece events throughout the year.
In summary, the plan details the Federation’s three key goals as
1) successful implementation of the national sports policy
2) enhance the operational capacity of members through support services
3) represent members effectively.
Read the plan in full here FIS Strategic Plan
Background:
The Federation of Irish Sport is the representative organisation for the National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) and the Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) in Ireland. The Federation’s membership consists of over 100 NGBs and LSPs from all 32 counties, including the GAA, FAI, IRFU, Swim Ireland, and Athletics Ireland.
The Federation last launched a strategic plan in 2014 and developed the most recent plan throughout 2019 in consultation with members and stakeholders.
Recent work of the Federation including General Election 2020 activity and the 2019 Investec Economic Research report commissioned by the Federation can be found at
https://www.irishsport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Investec_ONLINE_VERSION_v3.pdf
ENDS
For further information contact sinead.conroy@irishsport.ie or call 01 6251155
Success for men and women at EuroHockey Indoor Championships
Men 3rd place EuroHockey Indoor Championships III
The Irish Men had a successful return to the EuroHockey Indoor Championships in Santander earlier this month having not taken part in an international tournament since 1987. A tie to Wales in the opening match was followed by losses to both Scotland and Spain, however a strong showing against Slovenia granted the Irish side a bronze medal play off.
With Wales leading 1 – 0 from 7 minutes, Jackson and Canning put one each in the goal in the final minutes of the game to claim bronze in the first international tournament for the side in over 30 years.
Women Finish 2nd at EuroHockey Indoor Championships III
Following the success of the Irish Men’s Indoor team earlier this month, the Irish Women were also on form in Bratislava as they too returned to international tournaments with the EuroHockey Indoor Championships III.
The squad had an impressive record of 5 wins from 6 matches, with tournament winners Spain the only team to best the Irish side. With several players receiving their first international caps at this tournament, the squad also achieved promotion to next year’s EuroHockey Championships II.
Federation of Irish Sport launches #GE2020 Manifesto for Sport in Ireland
Today marks the launch of the Federation of Irish Sport General Election 2020 – Manifesto. Our manifesto follows on from our consultation survey with our members in which they highlighted their key concerns and priorities for an incoming government.
Chief among those priorities were:
1. Resource the National Sports Policy properly and effectively
2. Ensure multi annual core funding for NGB’s and LSP’s
3. Provide support for organisations working to be sports governance compliant by January 2021
4. Provide annual sports capital grants
5. Implement meaningful insurance reform
6. Provide a budget for volunteer recruitment and training
Our manifesto has been issued to all political parties, and following on from General Election 2020 we can assure all interested parties that we will continue to work diligently for Sport and Physical Activity with the new government whoever they may be because, as always Sport Matters!
Read the manifesto in full here https://www.irishsport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Federation-of-Irish-Sport-General-Election-2020-Manifesto-Sport-Matters.pdf
Cycling Ireland Annual Award Winners
Sam Bennett won the International Performance of the Year at the Cycling Ireland Annual Awards for the second consecutive year on Saturday night.
The Cycling Ireland Awards Evening saw members of the cycling community recognised in 13 categories, both participants and volunteers, across the various cycling disciplines.
Bennett notched up 13 wins this season including on stage 3 and stage 14 of the Vuelta a España. His stage 3 victory was enough to see the Carrick-On-Suir rider claim the green jersey while compatriot Nicolas Roche wore the leader’s red jersey.
Among the recipients of the Special Achievement Awards was Katie-George Dunlevy and pilot Eve McCrystal. The paracycling duo claimed their fifth World Title, with Gold in the time trial at the Road World Championships and added a Silver medal in the Road Race. Their attention now firmly focused on adding to their impressive medal haul at Tokyo 2020.
Lara Gillespie of Scott Orwell Wheelers was another rider to receive a Special Achievement Award and was named Female Rider of the Year. Gillespie won Bronze at the Junior Track World Championships and three Silver medals at the Junior Track European Championships.
Cycling is blessed with countless dedicated and committed volunteers. Among these is Phil Skelton who was instrumental in the introduction of new ‘dangerous overtaking of a cyclist’ legislation. Skelton has been a driving force behind making our roads safer for cyclists and rightly deserves the award for Outstanding Service to Cycling.
A full list of winners is available below:
International Performance of the Year
Sam Bennett – 2 stages at the Vuelta a España
Special Achievement Awards
Lara Gillespie – Bronze at the Junior Track World Championships and three Silver medals at the European Track Championships
Katie-George Dunlevy & Eve McCrystal – Triple World TT Champions
Ronan Grimes – Silver medal in the Scratch Race in the Para Track Worlds
Greg Swinand – World Masters 50-54 Time Trial Champion
Lydia Boylan – Silver Medal in the Points Race in the UCI Track World Championship
Mark Downey – Bronze Medal in the Points Race in the UCI Track World Championship
Sam Bennett – 2 stages at the Vuelta a España
Leah Maunsell – 2nd in the U21 Eunduro World Series
Membership Awards
Cycling Ireland Volunteer of the Year – Dany Blondeel – Ards Cycling Club
Cycling Ireland Female Rider of the Year – Lara Gillespie – Scott Orwell Wheelers
Cycling Ireland Male Rider of the Year – Conor Hennebry – Dan Morrissey-MIG Pactimo
Cycling Ireland Club of the Year – Bray Wheelers
Cycling Ireland Leisure Event of the Year – The Reservoir Dog Sportive – Reservoir Cogs
Cycling Ireland Competitive Event of the Year – National Road Championships – Foyle CC
Cycling Ireland Club Coach of the Year – Hugh Byrne – Sundrive Track Team
Outstanding Service to Cycling
Dr. Tom Daly – Historical Archive of Cycling in Ireland
Phil Skelton – introduction of dangerous overtaking legislation
Hall of Fame
Mick Lawless
Martin Early
Peter Doyle
Gaybo Howard
Cycling Ireland National Road Series – Men
Conor Hennebry – Dan Morrissey-MIG Pactimo
James Curry – Dan Morrissey-MIG Pactimo
Darnell Moore – Team Caldwell Cycles
Cycling Ireland National Road Series – Women
Katharine Smyth – Ballymena Road Club
Maura Claffey – UCD Cycling Club
Agnieszka Wozniak – STRATA3/VeloRevolution Racing Team
International Sportswomen of the Week
Our International 20×20 Women in Sport Award this week goes to Mary Hickey Nolan who has the unique distinction of being the only woman to have completed all 40 Dublin Marathons. A phenomenal achievement but only one of many on the CV of this exceptional woman who this year celebrated her 66th birthday.
Since its inception in 1980 the Dublin Marathon has gone from strength to strength. The first year there were 2,000 entrants with Mary Hickey Nolan being one of 70 women taking part. Today Dublin has grown into one of the world’s great city marathons with 22,500 – including 7,000 women – setting out this year for the 40th staging of the event. Over the years there have been 13 constants in the event – 12 men and Mary Hickey Nolan. As she says herself, it is a club no one else can join and once you leave you can’t get back in!
Mary Hickey Nolan is an amazing woman, last year she ran the complete coast of the island of Ireland and in doing so raised over 30k for the the Lifeboats ( RNLI ). This year she was off around the coast again, this time by bike, to raise more funds for the RNLI. Amongst her many running achievements she has taken part in and completed the 6 day long Marathon des Sables across the Sahara desert and event fully deserving of it’s title the toughest footrace on earth!