As part of the 2018 Federation of Irish Sport Conference in Trinity College Dublin, CEO Mary O’Connor gave a presentation concerning a substantial survey of our members, the full detail of which we will be unveiling over the coming months.
In terms of what information the survey will deliver and what we can drive as a result of greater knowledge here is a review of what was shown to the audience of 300 leaders within the sports sector.
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Byrne has a great wealth of experience working with large groups, and between the three hotels can cater for all Group, Event or Training needs with the following services-
See Crowne Plaza Dublin Blanchardstown for more details or to make a booking.
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.”
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For more information please contact:
Wilson Hartnell
Sarah O’Connor / Shane Nolan
sarah.oconnor@ogilvy.com / shane.nolan@ogilvy.com
086 8048446 / 086 0835402
Federation of Irish Sport Welcomes Government’s Long-Term Commitment to Sport in Project 2040 Development Plan
Press Release
16th February 2018
The Federation of Irish Sport welcomes the Government’s long-term commitment to the development of sport in Ireland as outlined in its Project 2040 Development Plan published today. In particular, the Federation welcomes the commitment to: –
The Federation welcomes the commitment to funding of facilities that undoubtedly will positively transform the sporting landscape. We remain conscious however of the importance of the availability of qualified people and targeted programmes to allow the potential of any sports facility to be maximised. In this regard, we will continue to work on behalf of our members to ensure that the current funding that plays a crucial role in supporting these people and programmes increases in the coming years.
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For further information, please contact:-
Mary O’Connor, Chief Executive, Federation of Irish Sport Tel: 086 0437884
From Athletics Ireland
The President and Board of Athletics Ireland have today announced the appointment of Hamish Adams as their new C.E.O. The decision was ratified last night at an Athletics Ireland board meeting and Hamish will succeed John Foley who is retiring at the end of April, 2018. Hamish will join Athletics Ireland in May having spent five years as C.E.O of Rowing Ireland.
Commenting on his new role, Hamish Adams said “I feel very privileged to take up the role of Chief Executive of Athletics Ireland. I look forward to engaging with all the Athletics Ireland stakeholders. Ireland has a proud history and tradition in athletics and I look forward to contributing to its continued growth at the commencement of my role as C.E.O in early May. High Performance and coaching as well as the national health agenda to increase physical activity levels are areas I am especially passionate about and I plan to contribute significantly in these areas with the Athletics Ireland Team”.
Commenting on the new appointment, President of Athletics Ireland, Georgina Drumm said “The board is delighted to welcome Hamish as the new C.E.O of Athletics Ireland. We were overwhelmed with the interest in the role which gave a positive reflection on how our sport is viewed. We are pleased to have someone of Hamish’s calibre and experience to be joining our team”.
She added “I would like to thank John for the significant contribution he has made to every aspect of our sport over an eight year period as C.E.O and he will continue to do so until his retirement in April 2018.”
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Claire Shannon – Claireshannon@athleticsireland.ie
NGB Funding Key to an Active and Healthier Ireland
02 February 2018,
Sport Ireland announced on Thursday, 1st February, details of grant funding of €20.7 million to National Governing Bodies to support both day to day operations (€10.8 million) and high performance programmes (€7 million) of 56 different sports. A further €600,000 was announced to support women in sport programmes.
Investment is on a similar to 2017 with Sport Ireland funding still some way off the peak of €57 million achieved in 2007. These monies exclude the funding made available to the three field sports namely, the FAI, IRFU & GAA which amounted to over €7 million in 2017. 2018 investment is expected to be announced in the coming weeks. It was confirmed that €1.9 million in direct athlete investment is to be confirmed in coming weeks.
Commenting on the announcement of this year’s Sport Ireland NGB grant funding, Federation of Irish Sport CEO, Mary O’Connor said,
“Funding levels to NGBs are broadly in line with 2017. This is to be expected given as announced in the Budget Sport Ireland funding remained more or less flat on last year’s level. NGBs have a vital role to play in ensuring a more people have access to sporting opportunity. This is because each of our member organisations plays a key role in ensuring their sport happens in Ireland.
NGBs are responsible for development programmes, programmes targeted at encouraging hard to reach elements of society, coach education, training officials, child protection, high performance as well as administration of competition is vital to ensure an increase both in opportunities to participate in sport and allowing those who do partake to fulfil their potential whatever that may be.
We were heartened that in his leadership election manifesto the current Taoiseach and a former Minister for Sport outlined his intention to double the funding available to sport over the next seven years. We do hope that we will begin to see delivery on that commitment in this year’s budget as all of our members are committed to assisting in the delivery of the vision of a more active and healthier Ireland a reality. However, resources both financial and human are vital in ensuring this can and will happen.”
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