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.

Federation of Irish Sport Annual Review 2015 launched

Dec 15, 2015

Federation of Irish Sport Annual Review 2015

Bernard Brogan Calls on Political Parties to Commit to Making Two Hours’ PE Mandatory in Secondary Schools as Federation of Irish Sport Launches 2015 Annual Review

• One Hour Mandatory PE Urged for Primary Schools
• Key sporting triumphs in a massive sporting year for Ireland highlighted, including 20 per cent increase in medals won by Irish athletes
• Federation calls for establishment of new sports event bidding agency to secure prestigious international sporting events for Ireland

As the final whistle is about to be blown on a year of sporting highs, and ahead of a spring General Election, the Federation of Irish Sport has today called on political parties to commit to a level playing field when it comes to sport in Ireland. The Federation is calling for 2 hours’ PE in secondary schools and 1 hour PE in primary schools to be made mandatory, that tax reliefs be put in place and additional funding be extended to sport to bring it back to 2008 levels by 2021, and that a sports event bidding agency be established as a matter of urgency to bring prestigious international sporting events to Ireland.

The calls came as Bernard Brogan, President Federation of Irish Sport, launched its 2015 Annual Review capturing a year of sporting triumphs and successes for the National Governing Bodies of Sport and Local Sports Partnerships. He was joined at the launch in Dublin by Nora Stapleton, Ireland’s Women’s Rugby Team, Louise Quinn, vice-captain of the Women’s National Football Team, boxer Darren O’Neill and triathlete Susanna Murphy.

Bernard Brogan highlighted some of his 2015 sporting highs and how, as a nation, we need to nurture sport, starting in our schools:
“Sport has brought us many memorable moments this year. There have been fantastic victories for both the men and women’s rugby teams in the Six Nations during 2015. Then there was Shane Long’s stunning goal against World Cup champions Germany followed by ultimate qualification for the Euros in 2016. And, of course, how could I forget Dublin’s outstanding performance in bringing home Sam in the GAA All Ireland Senior Football Championships in September.

“Yet imagine what we could do if we were to build on the fantastic grassroots support for sport in our local communities. We know that only 35 per cent of primary schools and just 10 per cent of our secondary schools are receiving the recommended 60 and 120 minutes of PE respectively each week¹. Of course, as adults too, we have a real challenge, with only a third of us getting the recommended 30 minutes’ exercise five days a week². Sport needs to be supported, nurtured and grown and that is why it is incumbent on Government to step up to the plate and do what it can to ensure participation and that our young people and adults get the sporting chance that they deserve.”

James Galvin, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport, pointed to some of the very tangible benefits afforded by Irish sport, while also emphasising how sport can give so much more:
“The figures are there for all to see. 40,000 jobs sustained by sport³. €1.9 billion in household spending on sport⁴. Over €1 billion in tourism spending on sport⁵. Half a million people volunteering their time to sport⁶. Plus, it’s estimated that by participating regularly in sport, we are 14 years’ younger in health terms⁷ – now, who could argue with that?

“The Federation of Irish Sport’s 2015 Annual Review published today highlights the wide and varied contribution that National Governing Bodies of Sport and Local Sports Partnerships have made to Irish sport in 2015. After years of steep declines in funding since 2008, there was a very welcome €3m increase in funding to Sport Ireland in Budget 2016. We now have a golden opportunity for sport to make a real difference to the life of our nation, but only if we grasp it. There have been a number of recent successes in securing international sporting events for Ireland, such as the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 and the IPC World Swimming Championships 2018. Think of what we could do if we were to establish a sports event bidding agency as has been done in Denmark where they now win four out of every five sports bids. We could be real contenders in bringing illustrious international events home to Ireland, such as the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

“A new National Sports Policy is in the early stages of development. This presents a real opportunity for government to put in place a strategy that allows sport to maximise its potential both on and off the pitch. For sport to really deliver in terms of our health, our society and our economy, we can’t sit on the sidelines and yell at the referee. We all have to play our part on the field and make it happen.”

Among the other highlights from the Federation of Irish Sport’s Annual Review 2015 were:

• Graeme McDowell, Padraig Harrington and Shane Lowry won on the US PGA Tour
• Leona Maguire became the World Number One Ranked Amateur Golfer
• Rory McIlroy won the Race to Dubai for the third time
• 5 Irish golfers – Paul Dunne, Jack Hume, Gary Hurley, Gavin Moynihan and Cormac Sharvin – took part in the Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup team which was victorious over the USA
• Joe Ward and Michael Conlan won gold at the European Elite Championships in Bulgaria, with Dean Walsh bringing home bronze
• Mark English won silver in the 800 metres at the European Indoor Championships in Prague
• Arthur Lanigan-O’Keeffe was crowned men’s champion at the Modern Pentathlon European Championships in Bath
• Team Ireland Equestrian Showjumping Team won the Dublin Aga Khan Nations Cup
• The Irish ocHockhhHockey Team beat England to win bronze at the Euro Hockey Championships in London
• €21.3m was the value of the Ireland v England Six Nations match, with 15,000 visitors spending €11.5m, each person spending on average €764 during their trip
• €152m was the value of the Irish sports sponsorship rights fee market
• Over 31,000 supporters came to Croke Park to support the teams taking part in the TG4 LGFA All Ireland Finals, resulting in the largest attendance at a European female sporting event in 2015
• 13 World and 1 European Championship medals were won by Irish Paralympic athletes on the Road to Rio 2016
• Special Olympics Ireland athletes won 26 gold, 28 silver and 28 bronze medals at the 2015 World Games
• 66 medals were won by Irish athletes in 2015 in international competition, a 20 per cent increase on 2014

The Federation of Irish Sport’s 2015 Annual Review can be viewed here: Federation of Irish Sport Annual Review 2015

Federation launches A Manifesto for Irish Sport

Oct 8, 2015

Download here :
Federation of Irish Sport Launches Manifesto for Irish Sport &
Outlines 5 Point Plan Needed for Ireland’s Sporting Future

• Bernard Brogan Calls for New National Vision & Strategy for Sport
• Appeal for Restoration of Funding Levels & Widening of Tax Reliefs
• New Agency Needed to Attract Major International Sporting Events
• Mandatory Two Hours’ PE Urged in Secondary Schools Each Week

The Federation of Irish Sport, which represents 76 national governing bodies and 27 local sports partnerships countrywide, has today launched its Manifesto for Irish Sport setting out a 5 Point Plan for the next Government if Ireland is to deliver on its sporting potential. The launch, which took place in the Royal Irish Academy, Dublin 2, saw various speakers from across the sporting world, led by Federation President Bernard Brogan, urge all public representatives to recognise the importance of investing in sport.

In its Manifesto for Irish Sport, the Federation is calling for action on the following five points:

1. Development of a National Sport Strategy. The creation and implementation of a sports strategy would ensure joined-up thinking across Government departments and agencies in terms of sport’s economic, social and health benefits. This should include ring-fenced funding for sport and the appointment of a sports “tsar” who would have overall responsibility for bringing stakeholders together, securing commitments and delivering on objectives.
2. Restoration of Sport Funding. There has been a 26 per cent reduction in funding levels for sport since 2008, from €57.2 million to €42.5 million in 2015[1]. If Irish sport is to compete on the international stage, as well as increase participation and retention levels, funding levels must be restored to where they were before the country’s economic collapse.
3. Extension of Tax Reliefs. It’s time for sport to have a level playing field with other areas of the not-for-profit sector. While donors to sporting bodies can take advantage of tax reliefs for capital funding, this amounts to a fraction of the costs incurred by sporting organisations, and it is only fair that tax relief currently afforded to charities on minimum €250 donations in any year—which can apply to both current and capital spend—should also apply to sports bodies. This was a recommendation of the Commission on Taxation in 2009[2] and would bring Ireland into line with its international competitors such as the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.
4. Provision of Two Hours’ Mandatory PE Each Week. All the indicators point to an obesity epidemic in this country, yet according to the last research conducted, only ten per cent of post-primary students are meeting the minimum Department of Education & Skills’ recommendation of two hours sport and physical activity each week in secondary schools[3]. Not only would making this a mandatory requirement greatly assist in enhancing the health and well-being of our young people, but it also has the potential to create a new generation of sporting leaders.
5. Leveraging Ireland’s Sport Host Credentials. Ireland, with its state-of-the-art sporting facilities and venues, excellent transport links, track record of successfully hosting major international sports events and the “can do” and welcoming attitude of its people, has the potential to tap into a €450 billion sports tourism market[4]. The Federation strongly advocates the setting up of a national sports event bidding agency which would compete head-on with other countries in attracting significant international sporting events to our shores. We only have to look to Denmark, where a joint venture between sport and government—Sport Event Denmark—now sees the Danes win four out of every five sports bids[5].

Bernard Brogan, President of the Federation of Irish Sport, is calling on all political parties to recognise the value of sport and to pledge support for its Manifesto for Irish Sport.

“Sport is a key part of what defines us and brings us together as communities, as counties, as provinces and as a country. When we play on the international stage, and the Irish flag is raised or the national anthem played, our sense of national pride and what we are capable of, soars. With just a little effort on behalf of Government in setting out a vision and strategy for where we want sport to go in this country, linked with the required resources and ongoing monitoring, we could do so much better. I urge all political parties and candidates to sign up to the commitments contained in our Manifesto for Irish Sport. Why should we as a country settle for second best—we must be in a position to compete, and to compete to win.”

Mark Balcar, Director of Sports Think Tank in the UK, points to the development of a new Strategy for Sport in the UK that reflects current social, financial, attitudinal and technological realities, and that involves virtually every Government department. It has as key aims the importance of recognising the value of sport, of maximising participation and of creating a truly active nation—and he believes a similar approach could deliver significantly for Ireland:

“The power of sport is undeniable: sport can achieve a wide range of social, cultural and economic benefits for society. Our research in England, shows overwhelmingly that the sport sector wants strong Government leadership and a long-term sports strategy that joins up the many different interests within government. This is crucial if the sport sector is to maximise the potential of sport to help deliver in critical areas of public policy, for everyone in society.”

Newly-appointed chief executive of the Federation of Irish Sport, James Galvin, believes that with the right support, sport has the potential to pay a wide range of dividends:

“Sport supports 40,000 jobs in Ireland[6], adds an extra €1.9 billion in household spending[7] and over €1 billion in tourism receipts[8]. We know that 2.5 million people participate in sport every week here[9] and that regular participation is the equivalent of being 14 years younger[10]. We undoubtedly have a great love of sport in this country and we should capitalise on this passion. By restoring funding levels, by playing fair in terms of tax reliefs, and by creating a dedicated sports event bidding agency, we can become real contenders. Why shouldn’t we host major sporting events such as the European Cross-Country Championships or the IPC Swimming World Championships in Ireland? Let’s at least give ourselves a sporting chance.”

The Federation of Irish Sport’s Manifesto for Irish Sport can be viewed here

[1] Government Budget Estimates, 2008-2015

[2] Commission on Taxation Report, 2009

[3] Children’s Sport Participation and Physical Activity Study, 2010

[4] Tourism Insider, 2011

[5] Sport Event Denmark, 2015

[6] EU Study on the Economic Contribution of Sport to the Economy, 2013

[7] Assessment of Economic Impact of Sport in Ireland, Indecon/Irish Sports Council, 2010

[8] Activity Product Usage Among Overseas Visitors in 2013, Fáilte Ireland, 2014

[9] Irish Sports Council Irish Sports Monitor 2013 & Children’s Sport Participation and Physical Activity Study, 2010

[10] Sporting Lives: An Analysis of a Lifetime of Irish Sport, ESRI/Irish Sports Council 2008