Jul 5, 2012
Source: Volunteer Ireland – Volunteering Matters
David Gash, Communications Executive with the Federation of Irish Sport discusses the value of volunteers to sport in Ireland.
The athletes who cross our TV screens week in week out, who wear the green jersey with such pride and passion, owe so much to the huge number of people who have made sacrifices to get them to that point. The countless early morning training sessions; the wind and rain swept sidelines; the five hour round road trips could drive anyone away. Yet for the 450,000 adults who volunteer their time each year, they remain dedicated, enthusiastic and passionate because they all share on common trait – their love of sport.
Sport remains the biggest driver of voluntary activity in Ireland. The commitment, dedication and leadership of Ireland’s sporting volunteers, allow athletes and communities to participate in sport all around the country. It is estimated that over a million hours are put into sport on a weekly basis by adults volunteering in sport.
Sport in Ireland at every level from grassroots to elite is reliant on these volunteers, were it not for their input sport simply would not function. From administration to coaching to mentorship, the variety voluntary roles in sport are infinite and each one as important as the next in making sure sport keeps on progressing with everyone getting maximum benefit.
Those among the professional and international ranks are not the only ones who have reaped the benefit of the input of dedicated volunteers. The product of volunteering in sport runs much deeper than cultivating top level athletes – volunteering in sport encourages healthy and active lifestyles among people, builds community spirit, passes on knowledge and experience and helps others be the best they can be and realise their potential. 1.7 million People are involved in sport in Ireland and each one will have experienced the work of a volunteer.
Giving time to sport also has undoubted benefits to the volunteer – the enjoyment, a rewarding sense of fulfilment, development of new skills, valuable life experience, a boost in confidence, the opportunity to socialise and meet new people and of course giving something back to the sport they love.
To honour the work of these volunteers the Federation of Irish Sport in conjunction with the Irish Sports Council, the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport and The Community Foundation of Ireland run the annual National Awards to Volunteers in Sport in which the public are invited to nominate an individual whose contribution to their sport has made a real difference.
Ten winners will be selected to receive an award from the nominations received. An Overall or Lifetime award to honour a volunteer, who has consistently given of their time for a sport, a team, or an event over many years, will also be awarded. Full details of the scheme and how to enter can be found on line at www.volunteersinsport.ie.
Previous winners of the awards include John O’Shea father to international footballer John O’Shea, Brian Craig of Sailing who is largely responsible for attracting the Youth World Sailing Championships which will see 300 sailors from 70 countries descend on Dun Laoghaire in July, Dublin City Marathon organiser Jim Aughney and coach to Olympic Silver Medallist Kenny Egan, Gerry Fleming who has been coaching at Neilstown Boxing Club for more than 20 years.
Top athletes pay tribute to volunteers on Twitter:
“…a big shout out to all the volunteers who help us be the best we can be! We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without u all!”
@Niksymmons – Nikki Symmonds, International Hockey and Cricket Player
“…thank you to all the volunteers who keep our sport alive in this country and help us athletes get to where we are!”
@colingriffin – Colin Griffin, Irish International Athlete and Olympian
“A massive thank you to all who volunteer. Sport would not be possible without you all:)”
@OliveLoughnane – 3 time Olympian and World silver medallist 2009
The Federation of Irish Sport:
The Federation of Irish Sport was established by the National Governing Bodies of Sport in 2002 to act as representative body for all sporting organisations and to provide an independent voice for sport. Membership is open to NGBs as well as sporting organisations whose primary purpose is the promotion of sport and/or physical recreation on a non-commercial basis. The membership is currently comprised of in excess of 70 NGBs including the Football Association of Ireland, the Gaelic Athletic Association and the Irish Rugby Football Union as well as 30 Local Sports Partnerships.
Apr 27, 2012
Although the leading and better resourced sports organisation in the (Republic of) Ireland already have detailed polices in place regarding child safety and protection, the proposed requirements detailed this week in the heads of the Children First Bill, which can be accessed here, are likely to prove onerous for smaller sports organisations.
What follows is a summary of the main proposals.
First, the overarching policy objectives of the proposed Children First Bill is the raising of awareness of child abuse, the recognition and reporting of child abuse, and the management of child safety concerns.
The vast majority of organisations providing services to children will come under the proposed legislation, ranging from large statutory agencies to small local services such as a local Hip Hop dance club. Some of these agencies are in receipt of State funding and have a formal relationship with the State; many others operate independently. There is currently no requirement for agencies/organisations providing services to children to notify the State of their services. (All such agencies in ROI should, however, be operating in accordance with the good practice principles set down in Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children
It follows that the majority of organisations whose employees or volunteers have access to children, or work directly with children, and where a child can attend without a parent or guardian will come under the proposed Children First legislation. Again, these are organisations ranging from professional well-established organisations such as educational institutions and national sporting organisations to the more ad hoc community groups that arrange local sporting or leisure activities for children.
The latter include schools, pre-schools, health and social care facilities delivering services to children and An Garda Síochána, to faith based organisations, sports and youth clubs and arts and leisure organisations. Such organisations will include those with a residential element for children and transport services provided specifically for children e.g. the school bus service.
It must be noted that the definition of “volunteer” is not intended to include a person’s involvement in a school run, or collecting children from sports events, or parents supervising their own children’s activities with friends or any such like activities.
To reiterate, the underlying purpose of the legislation is to ensure that children are protected while present at, or availing of the services of, an organisation falling within its scope.
Centrally, under the proposed legislation sports organisation will now have a statutory duty to develop and implement a child protection and reporting protocol in accordance with the guidelines provided by the legislation and relevant government agencies.
For instance, sports organisations will be asked to appoint a “Designated Officer” to ensure that there is a single and clearly identifiable point of authority and responsibility relating to child safeguarding within the organisation; and to ensure the proper implementation of the proposed legislation and including the maintenance of records and responsibility for staff vetting and training in recognising the signs of abuse and/or neglect.
The proposed legislation is to provide that an employee or volunteer of an organisation is to report to the Designated Officer any concerns or allegations of child abuse which come to their attention in the course of their employment, i.e. the obligation to report arises if the concern or allegation comes to the employee’s knowledge while they are engaged in the activities of the organisation
Where an employee fails to report any concern or allegation which should have been reported under the legislation that employee must be treated in accordance with labour legislation and where a volunteer fails to report any concern or allegation, he or she may be prohibited from working as a volunteer in that organisation, at the discretion of the Designated Officer following an enquiry and having regard to fair procedures.
The controlling regulatory body under the Bill will be the Irish Health Service Executive (HSE). Where the HSE is of the opinion that there is occurring or likely to occur an activity which involves or is likely to involve a risk to a child in the organisation, the HSE may give written directions to the Designated Officer, requiring him/her to provide an Improvement Plan e.g., an outline of remedial action to be taken by the club or organisation.
Where the HSE is of the opinion that there is occurring or is likely to occur a failure to implement child protection policies which involve, or is likely to involve, a risk to the safety or welfare of a child the HSE may serve a Prohibition Notice on the Designated Officer of that organisation.
A Prohibition Notice is to inform the organisation that the HSE is of the opinion that there is occurring or is likely to occur a failure to implement child protection policies which involves, or is likely to involve, a risk to the safety or welfare of a child and the reasons for that opinion. The Notice is also to specify the activity in respect of which that opinion is held, where in its opinion the activity involves a contravention, or likely contravention, of any of the relevant statutory provisions, and specify the relevant statutory provision(s).
A Prohibition Notice may prohibit the carrying on of the activity concerned until the matters which give rise, or are likely to give rise to the risk, are remedied. The Prohibition Notice may include directions as to the measures to be taken to remedy any contravention or matter to which the notice relates or to otherwise comply with the Notice e.g., withdrawal of state funding or even, it seems, ultimately, the shutting down of the club.
A Designated Officer, on receipt of a Prohibition Notice may appeal against the Notice to the District Court. In determining the appeal the Judge may confirm, vary or cancel the Notice.
Where an Improvement Notice or a Prohibition Notice is served, the notice is to be brought to the attention of any persons affected by the notice and displayed in a prominent place in the organisation.
This week also saw the release in Dublin of details on the so-called Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012.
This Bill establishes in Irish law an offence of withholding information in relation to specified offences committed against a child or vulnerable person. The offence arises where a person knows or believes that a specified offence has been committed against a child or vulnerable person and he or she has information which would be of material assistance in securing the apprehension, prosecution or conviction of another person for that offence and fails without reasonable excuse to disclose that information as soon as it is practicable to do so to a member of the Garda Síochána.
A “vulnerable person” is defined as a person who is suffering from either a mental, intellectual or physical disability which is of such a nature as to severely restrict the capacity of that person to guard against serious exploitation or abuse or, in the case of physical disability, to report such to the Garda Síochána.
The maximum penalty under the proposed legislation is five years’ imprisonment. It must be noted that the Bill provides for various defences e.g., if a child or vulnerable person against whom the offence was committed makes it known that they do not want the offence to be reported to the Garda Síochána, though the person accused of an offence under this Bill must show that they knew and relied on that view. In addition, the Bill acknowledges that certain victims may not have the capacity to make their views as to disclosure or otherwise known.
Therefore, a rebuttable presumption that a child under 14 does not have capacity to form a view as to whether the offence or information relating to it should be disclosed to the Garda Síochána is included. Similarly, a rebuttable presumption as to the lack of capacity of a vulnerable person is included.
Finally, the obligations that might be imposed by the above are no doubt onerous on sports organisation, especially those of a smaller scale; nevertheless, The frequency, source, denials and trauma associated with child abuse in Ireland in recent times has been a national shame. This proposed legislation is a small start in ensuring that it never happens again. Sport is not immune and the debate on both Bills in the Oireachtas should be monitored closely by all of Irish sport.
http://blogs.qub.ac.uk/sportslaw/2012/04/27/children-first-child-protection-law-and-sport-in-ireland/
Dr. Jack Anderson lectures in law at Queen’s University Belfast. He had published widely on the topice of sports law, most recently, a book entitled The Legality of Boxing (Routledge, 2007). He is a qualified arbitrator, being a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and is a member of both the UK Sports Dispute Resolution Panel and the GAA’s Dispute Resolution Authority. Originally from Limerick, his interest in sport is principally, but not exclusively, in hurling and rugby. You can read Dr Anderson’s blog here: http://blogs.qub.ac.uk/sportslaw/
Mar 21, 2012
Dublin City Sports Network
Sport for Young People Small Grants Scheme
1. What is the Dublin City Sports Network?
The Dublin City Sports Network (DCSN) was established in 2001. Its aim is to promote participation in Sport and Physical Activity throughout Dublin City, by raising awareness of the activities and facilities available in the city, and by developing programmes and events to encourage people to participate in sport & physical activity. The Network brings together key stakeholders from across the city, taking a planned and strategic approach to the development of sport and physical activities, targeting in particular, groups who traditionally have low participation rates in sport & physical activity.
2. When was it established?
The Dublin City Sports Network was initially established in 2001, to attract funding from the Irish Sports Council for the development of a Local Sports Partnership for Dublin City. In 2007 a Sport & Active Living Co-ordinator was appointed to administer and implement programmes on behalf of the Network, and funding was allocated for the implementation of a Sports Partnership for Dublin City.
3. Who is represented on it?
The Dublin City Sports Network is made up of representatives from Dublin City Council, the Health Services Executive, the City of Dublin Youth Services Board, Age & Opportunity, An Garda Síochána, Dublin City University, and the Federation of Irish Sports, representatives from National Governing Bodies of Sport.
4. What do the Dublin City Sports Network Do?
The Network meets regularly to develop and promote sport and physical activity throughout the city, directing Dublin City Council’s Sport & Active Living Co-ordinator, and developing strategies to increase participation in sport, through the promotion of existing clubs and activities, and the creation on new activities.
The DCSN are also responsible for the administration of the “Sport for Young People – Small Grant Scheme”, which was previously administered by the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee.
The Network will be the primary link between the Irish Sports Council and local sports clubs, and organisations throughout the city.
5. How do I contact the Dublin City Sports Network?
Contact the Sport & Active Recreation Section on 01-2227598/ 01-2227852 or dcsn@dublincity.ie
6. What is the purpose of the Sport for Young People Small Grants Scheme?
• To provide a small grant, which will help to increase participation in sport by
young people through the City.
• To increase participation by young people throughout Dublin City in sports and
physical activity.
7. Where does the money come from?
The money, which will be grant aided, is provided by the Irish Sports Council, through the National Sports Partnership Programme. It is administered by the Dublin City Sports Network on behalf of the Irish Sports Council.
8. Who can apply?
Applications are open to Sports Clubs and Organisations providing opportunities for young people to participate in sport & physical activity
9. What can be applied for?
Grants are allocated in respect of:
• Administrative costs, training and coaching courses and purchase of equipment
• Training, coaching and other courses and activities relevant to clubs and
organisations promoting sport among young people.
10. What will not be funded?
• Competitions/One off Events
• Drugs awareness
• Older Adults Groups
• Foreign Travel
• Youth Projects (funded by the organisations such as CDYSB)
• School Projects (after school/breakfast/ homework clubs etc.)
11. What information should be provided?
Quotations should be provided to support any application,detailing the proposed costs of completing the project.
Clubs/organisations must retain receipts of funds expended and make themselves available to meet with their local Sport & Recreation Officer who will ascertain that the funding was used for the purpose which was stated on the original application.
In the event of over-subscription, grant applications will be short listed based on
information supplied at the application stage.
12. What are applications judged on?
• Potential Impact of the project on young people’s participation in sport
• That the club or organisation is affiliated to a National Governing Body for Sport, and
involved in competition.
• All relevant information is provided
• Contribution to involving young people in sport & physical activity – as administrators/
Referees/Coaches and participants
13. Process
• Complete the club registration form.
• Send in Completed Grant Application form, with relevant information
• DCSN Grant Sub Committee meets to evaluate grants against criteria above.
• Adjudication of Applications by Grant Sub committee
• Notification to applicants of grant award.
For further information, please contact:
Aideen O’Connor – Sport & Active Living Co-ordinator on 01-2227598
Sinéad Murphy – Administrator on 01-2227852
Nov 25, 2011
The last twelve months have seen Irish sportsmen and sportswomen compete at the highest level all over the world and in doing so have raised all our spirits in these depressing times.
Cricket Ireland CEO Warren Deutrom is quite clear on how his sport became the talk of not just cricketing circles, but the entire world, after the Irish men’s team’s historic win over England at the Cricket World Cup – and the lift it gave to the nation of Ireland.
Ireland’s heroic victory over one of the world’s best teams captured the attention of Ireland, raising spirits in depressing times and created a buzz around Irish sport. “It was extraordinary the lift it gave to the nation,” said Mr Deutrom.
“We had Enda Kenny, we had Mary McAleese, we had Peter Robinson in the north; everybody was saying how important it was to give the nation a lift. You can’t put any money on top of that, it was absolutely hugely important.”
Next year it’s football’s turn in the spotlight as they head into Euro12, their first major international tournament in ten years. Those who remember Stuttgart in ’88 and Italia ’90 will never forget the sense of pride that overcame the nation.
In a recent article, leading economist Jim Power mirrored Mr Deutrom’s sentiments on how sport can lift the nation: “We can now look forward to the tournament in Poland and the Ukraine next June and it can only give a lift to the nation for two or three weeks that we will be involved. The Irish as a race are very interested in sport and will lend our support to all sporting creeds.”
But Mr Power believes the advantages of appearing at a major event don’t stop there. He maintains that performance at the highest level can also have economic benefits to the country; he believes that Ireland’s appearance in next year’s Euro12 could instigate €100million worth of extra spending over the course of the tournament. Meanwhile a bounce in consumer sentiment in October has been attributed Ireland’s success at the Rugby World Cup, adding to the overall economic impact of sport – which already contributes 1.8billion to Ireland’s GDP.
But Irish sport getting to this stage does not happen by accident, it is the product of investment. As Mr Deutrom highlights, it was down to the investment in Irish cricket, which brought it from international minnows to world beaters.
“How did we achieve all that? We achieved it through the funding that we received through the government in Sport Northern Ireland, through the government in the Irish Sports Council, investing in participation, investing in players, investing in our contracts programme.
“To try and undermine that would seriously undermine our ability to achieve those things on the world stage.”
Irish sport can have a major role to play in restoring Irish confidence and the Irish economy.
