Feb 14, 2022
‘THE PANDEMIC WAS A GAME CHANGER. HOW DOES THE SPORTS SECTOR PLAY THE GAME NOW?’
- Raelene Castle, CEO of Sport New Zealand will deliver the international keynote address to the Federation of Irish Sport members at their upcoming online member CEO Forum.
- Celebrating 20 years in 2022, the Federation of Irish Sport will also feature a panel of experts from the UK & Ireland to discuss the important economic value of Sport in Ireland.
- Other special guest speakers to be announced.

Raelene Castle, CEO of Sport New Zealand
The Federation of Irish Sport are delighted to host Raelene Castle, CEO of Sport New Zealand as part of the upcoming member CEO Forum to be held on March 1st. Prior to joining Sport New Zealand in 2020, Raelene spent seven years working in Australia as Chief Executive of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and then Chief Executive of Rugby Australia. She was previously Chief Executive of Netball New Zealand from 2007 to 2013. She has held several governance roles in sport, previously serving as a board director of the ANZ Championship Netball, International Federations of Netball Associations, SANZAAR Rugby and the World Rugby Council. Raelene was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in 2015 for services to Business and Sport.
Speaking about the upcoming online member CEO Forum, Federation CEO Mary O’Connor said, ‘We are delighted to host Raelene Castle as part of our online member CEO forum. We are looking forward to hearing Raelene’s insights on:
- State of the nation New Zealand and Covid19
- Health and GDP – background and research
- Sport NZ’s Towards 2032 Strategic Direction document & Strategic Plans for the period 2020-24
- The Living Standards Framework, a whole of Government view focused on inter-generational outcomes
Hosted by broadcaster Gráinne McElwain, the 2022 member CEO Forum, ‘The Pandemic was Game Changer. How does the Sports Sector Play the Game Now?’ is exclusively for member CEO’s, LSP co-ordinators and member Chairpersons and invited guests. There will be expert insights on the national importance of sport and physical activity.
Details of special guest speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.
Member CEO Forum 20th Anniversary
Federation of Irish Sport Background
Established in 2002 by the National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) and Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs), the Federation of Irish Sport currently represents over 110 NGBs and LSPs, consisting of over 13,500 sports clubs nationwide. As the Voice of Irish Sport, our role is to speak on behalf of our members and represent their views to the public, while also providing them with a range of services.
Over the last 20 years as the membership has steadily grown, the Federation has seen it’s role evolve along with the importance of sport and physical activity in society. New services to members have included the provision of Garda Vetting services, creation of the Sports Disputes Solutions Ireland (SDSI), annual Pre-Budget Submissions, regular Oireachtas Committee representation, support of the 20X20 campaign, representation on the National Sports Policy Leadership Group and the newly created Board Recruitment Service for members.
The Federation continues to communicate the benefits of sport in areas such as personal health/wellbeing, the economy and society as a whole and champion the work of the 450,000 people who volunteer for sport and physical activity in Ireland on a weekly basis that has a value of €1.5 billion to the exchequer.
Feb 26, 2020
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/2020/01/Federation-of-Irish-Sport-General-Election-2020-Manifesto-Sport-Matters.pdf
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
Jan 30, 2020
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.
Jan 24, 2020
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