Federation of Irish Sport Annual Review 2012 future...

Federation of Irish Sport Annual Review 2012

the future of Irish Sport

Our Vision

Our Mission

Strategic Objectives

To provide support, guidance and an independent voice for Irish Sport.

To be the most relevant membership organisation for national sporting organisations by being recognised as the definitive independent leadership voice for sport in Ireland.

• Toensurethatfinancialandothersupportforsportisseen as a necessity by the public, government and the media

• Toensurethedevelopmentofastrategicapproach to sport by government and in particular, to encourage a joined up approach to sport, health and education

• ToworkwiththeIrishSportsCounciltobuildthe operational capacity of all member organisations

• ToensuretheFederationissufficientlywellresourced to carry out its strategic objectives and to ensure its long term viability.

For that investment Irish Sport was able to fund a wide number of elite athletes; support development programmes in over 50 sports; develop the Local Sports Partnerships in every county in Ireland; help teams and individuals travel abroad to compete for Ireland; attract many thousands of sport tourists; create jobs; introduce countless numbers of children to sport and ultimately not only provided the structure to enable 2.1 million people participate in sport but also held many wonderful sporting events that entertained the nation and helped instil much needed pride in everyone.

Amongst the highlights of the year (in no particular order) were:

• 35,000fanstravellingtoDublintowatchtheEmeraldIsleClassicAmericanfootballgamebetweenNotreDameandNavy,thelargestevercontingentoftravellingfansforastand-alonesportingeventoutsideoftheU.S.

• Over38,000jobsbeingsupportedbyIrishSport

• Anestimated€1.8billiongeneratedfortheIrisheconomycontributing1.4%toGDP

• Irishathletescompetingin70differentcountriesaroundtheworld

• Morethan30differentinternationalsportseventsbeingheldinIreland

• 2IrishteamscompetinginthefirsteverAll-IrishHeinekenCupFinal

• RoryMcIlroybecomingthefirstIrishgolferandonlythesecondpersonevertotopboththeUSPGAandEuropeanTourmoneylists

• Winning5medalstogetherwithanadditional6toptenfinishesattheOlympicGames

• 16medalsbeingwonattheParalympicGames

• 15%ofIrishadultsvolunteeringinIrishSportwiththeeconomicvalueoftheworkestimatedtoexceed€350million

• 2.2millionIrishpeoplewatchingtheParalympicGamesontelevisionwhilst1.1millionofustuneinto seeKatieTaylorwingold

• 30countriessendingteamsorathletestoIrelandtopreparefortheOlympic&ParalympicGamesincluding16countriesusingtheNationalAquaticCentre

• TheIrishOpenatPortrushbecomingthefirsteverregularEuropeanTourEventtoselloutwith130,000peopleattendingoverthe4days of competition

• 83%ofchildrenbeinginvolved insportoutsideschool

• 51differentnationalitiestaking partintheDublinMarathon

• €2.45millionbeinggeneratedforthelocaleconomybytheGreatLimerickRun

• 900,000+spectatorsandtouristsvisitingtheVolvoOceanRaceandGlobalVillageduringthe9dayevent

• 130podiumfinishesbeingachievedbyIreland’selitesportsmenandsportswomenoverthelastfouryears,anincreasefrom70over thepreviousOlympiccycle

• Boththemen’sandwomen’shockeyteamscomingwithinamatchofqualifyingfortheOlympics.

And that is only a small cross section of what sport delivered. Irish sport matters. In fact as the only consistently positive story over the last five years it has never mattered more!

Delivering a strong return on investment In2012thegovernmentinvestedapproximately €80millioninIrishSport.

2012: Irish Sport by Numbers

€100,000,000theeconomicimpactoftheEmeraldIsle ClassicAmericanFootballmatchatthe Avivastadium

€86,000,000spentonsportinggoodsandservices thissummerinIreland

€44,500,000 theIrishSportsCouncilBudgetfor2012

1,100,000+ peopletunedintowatchKatieTaylor wingoldatLondonOlympics

500,000+ adultsvolunteeredinIrishSport

82,267 peopleattendedAll-IrelandGaelic FootballFinal

53,000 hoursofphysicalactivitygenerated asadirectresultoftheGreatLimerickRun

38,000+ jobssupportedbysportinIreland

2,300 hoursofOlympiccoverageonRTE

125 countriesbroadcastthefirstAll-Irish HeinekenCupfinal

86% increaseininternationalpodiumfinishes byIrishAthletesinthelastOlympicCycle

46% ofthepopulationparticipateinsport everyweek

16 Paralympicmedals

5 Olympicmedals

1 FederationofIrishSportrepresenting 71NationalSportsOrganisationsin Irelandand28LocalSportsPartnerships

1

Whenwesetoutin2009withourfirstreportourintentionwasverymuchfocusedontryingtominimisetheimpactoftherecessiononthefinancialsupportthatsportbothneedsandreceivesfromtheIrishtaxpayer.AtthetimewespecificallysoughttominimisethecutsthatweknewwouldbemadetotheannualfundingthatsportreceivesthroughtheIrishSportsCouncil.

Wealsowishedtoensurethatsportwouldcontinuetohaveavoiceatthecabinettable;thatgovernmentwouldkeeptheproposedNationalSportsCampusprojectalive;andthatconsiderationwouldbegiventoare-instatementoftheSportsCapitalProgrammeattheearliestpossibletime.

LookingbackIcansaythatwehaveachievedvaryingdegreesofsuccessonallfronts.Whilefundingcontinuestobecuttheredoesappeartobeagreaterappreciation of the need to protect suchfunding.Sportcontinuestohaveapresence,perhapsevenanenhancedpresenceatthecabinettable,theNationalSportsCampusismakingrealprogressandfinallytheSportsCapitalprogrammewasre-introducedin2012.

Forourpartwehavecometorealisethatperhapsourownambitionsforsportwerethemselveslimitedintheirscopeandambitionsolastyearweengagedwithgovernmenttoseehowwecouldlookatsportinafreshlightandseewhatmoresportcoulddotoplayafullpartinoureconomicrecovery,andalsointherebuildingofourreputationabroad.InthefollowingpagestheFederation’sCEOlooksmorecloselyathowmuchprogresshasbeenmadeonthatagenda.

Introduction FergusMurphyChairman,FederationofIrishSport

This is the fourth year that the Federation has produced an end of the sporting year document, an annual report on just what Irish sport has achieved over the course of the year. And once again Irish sport has delivered, both at home and abroad, and in the process has been one of the bright spots in what has undoubtedly been another difficult year for Ireland Inc.

When we set out in 2009 with our first report our intention was very much focused on trying to minimise the impact of the recession on the financial support that sport both needs and receives from the Irish taxpayer.

2 Introduction

Whichbringsmetothisyear’sreportandthethemewehavechosen–“SPORT2020:WhatsportinIrelandcouldlooklikeintheyear2020”.Whatwedidwastoconsultwithpeopleacrossthesportingspectrumandtoaskthemfortheirvisionofsportin2020.Indoingsoweaskedthemtoputasideanybarriersthattheymightseegettinginthewayofdeliveringthatvisionandtosetoutwhattheywouldliketoseeinanidealworld.

Wethensensecheckedtheirvisionagainstthebarriersthatweperceivetogetinthewayofsportrealisingitspotential.Interestinglyinmanycases thebarriersaretotallysurmountable– ifthereisacollectivewilltosurmountthem.Andthatisevenallowingforthetimeswelivein.

Wehavesummarisedsomeoftheviewsandthevisionsinonesectionofthereport(pages6-7)andwehavealsousedanumberofshortpiecesfromdifferentsourcesthroughoutthereport.

Wehave,ofcourse,alsoreflectedonthesportingyear2012andjustwhatsportcontinuestodeliverforthecountryonsomanydifferentfronts.AswehavesaidsomanytimesSPORTMATTERS.Infactwewouldcontendthatitmattersmoretodaythaniteverhasinthepast.

FERGUS MURPHY

Chairman Federation of Irish Sport

What we did was to consult with people across the sporting spectrum and to ask them for their vision of sport in 2020. In doing so we asked them to put aside any barriers that they might see getting in the way of delivering that vision and to set out what they would like to see in an ideal world.

Introduction 3

Our Paralympic Team was the most successful one ever returning with 16 medals

Irish Sport is about much more than just the sport itself. Sport delivers a rich dividend for Ireland in terms of its impact on our economy, on our health, our self-image, our reputation abroad, tourism and our community spirit at home. This is a message the Federation has consistently sought to deliver over the last number of years.

Therecessionhasperhapsforcedsporttothinkaboutitselfmoreasaunitandlessastheindividualentitiesthatmakeupourrichanddiversesportingcommunity.ThishasopenedoureyesasasectorandallowedustothinkbiggerastowherewewouldliketogoandwhatwecoulddoforIrelandintheprocess.

AsthisreviewwillhopefullydemonstratesportdoesalotforIrelandandIrishSporttrulybelievesthatifthepotentialofsportwasmaximiseditcoulddoevenmore.WetookthismessagetogovernmentlastyearandwhilsttheVision2020piecesthatfollowestablishthatthereisalotmoreyettobedonesomeverypositivestepshavebeentakenoverthecourseof2012:

• Thegovernmenthavemadeacommitment,inrecognitionoftheveryrealcontributionsportmakestotheeconomyandtoIreland’sreputation

athomeandabroad,thatsport willformpartofthenextyear’sGlobal EconomicForum

• Thereisarecognitionthatbothgovernmentandsportneedtoworktogethertodiversifythefundingsourcesavailabletosport

• Governmentisexaminingwaysofencouragingincreasedphilanthropicsupportforsport

• SportistoplayitspartintheGathering2013inrecognitionoftheparticularabilityofsporttodrawpeopletoIreland

• ThegovernmenthavecommittedtothedevelopmentoftheNationalSportsCampusmakingseedcapitalavailabletothenationalgoverningbodiestocommencethedevelopmentofsportspecificfacilitiesandgivingthego-aheadforthecommunityfacilities

• TheSportsCapitalProgramme,enablingthedevelopmentoflocalfacilities,tookplaceforthefirsttimesince2010withafurtherprogrammeintendedin2015

• Consultationhastakenplaceinrelationtotheroleandremitof“SportIreland”thenewstateagencyforsporttobeestablishedfollowingthemergerofthe

Thoughts on 2012 SarahO’ConnorChiefExecutiveOfficer,FederationofIrishSport

Ireland was represented by our most diverse Olympic Team with athletes competing in 13 different sports

An Irish Team once again won a Heineken Cup

As this review will hopefully demonstrate sport does a lot for Ireland and Irish Sport truly believes that if the potential of sport was maximised it could do even more.

4 Thoughts on 2012

IrishSportsCouncilandtheNationalSportsCampusDevelopmentAuthorityofferinganopportunityforincreasedinvolvementofthatagencyinotherareasofgovernmentpolicythatimpacton sport

• 52%ofsportingbodiesinreceiptofIrishSportsCouncilfundingnowhaveprovisionforalternativedisputeresolutionintheformofJustSportIrelandwithintheirgoverningrulestherebyminimisingtheriskofthosebodiesbeinginvolvedincourtlitigationandwastingvaluableresourcesonnon-sportingactivities.

Howeveras2012drawstoacloseandthecommentaryonceagainreturnstotheeconomiccrisisandimpendingbudgetcutsitisalltooeasytoseethechallengesforsportgrowandtheopportunitiesdiminish.WeneedtoretainthespiritofthememoriescreatedbywhatwasafantasticyearforIrishSportandnotlettheprideandthatelusivefeelgoodfactordimwiththeautumnallight.ThistrulywasabrilliantyearforIrishSport:

• WewererepresentedinLondon byourmostdiverseOlympicTeam withIrishathletescompetingin 13differentsportsoutofapossible26

• OurParalympicTeamwasourmostsuccessfuloneeverreturningwith 16medals

• AnIrishTeamonceagainwonaHeinekenCup

• Irelandcompetedinamajorfootballchampionshipforthefirsttimein 10years

• IrishgolfmadeasignificantcontributiontotheastonishingEuropeanRyderCupsuccess

• GaelicGamesdisplayedtheverybestofsportwithastonishingKillkennycomingoutontopagain,Donegalre-emerginginfootball,WexforddemonstratingimpressiveconsistencyinCamogieandCorktakingtheirseventhfootballcrownineightyears

• 5OlympicMedalsincludingGoldfortheincredibleKatieTaylor

• 2.1millionofustookpartinmorethan70differentsportsaroundthecountrywhilst15%ofIrishadultsvolunteeredinsport.

OfalloftheseachievementsitislikelythatitisKatie’smedalthatwilllivelongestinallofourmemories.Oneofthosemomentsthatyourememberwhereyouwerewhen…BeingluckyenoughtobeintheExcelArenathatdayyouwereremindedthattheoccasionwasaboutsomuchmorethanjustsport.

ItwasaboutbeingIrishwithalltheworldwatching.HowsomanyIrishpeoplehadmanagedtogetticketstobetherewastypicalbutstillincredible.Thearenaatthemostinternationalofsportingoccasionswas90%Irish,allofwhomcheeredfortheBritishboxerfightingbeforeKatie.Sportdemonstratinghowfarwehavecomeasanationintermsofrelationswithournearestneighbour.

Thepre-matchcommentarycentredonthemagnificentIrishsupportattheboxingvenueforthedurationofthecompetition.Ireland’sreputationwasenhanced.PeoplewhomaynothavevisitedIrelandbeforewillvisitbecause

oftheIrishsupportthatweek.PerhapsIrelandwillhaveabetterchanceatplayinghosttoboxingandotherinternationalsportingchampionshipsbecauseofwhathappenedoutsideoftheboxingringinfrontoftheworld’ssportingcommunity.

Butmostofall,weasacountryandasapeoplefeltgreat.Theimpossiblewaspossible.Talent,hardworkandbeliefovercamethechallengesandforafewmoments,ourflagflewhigherthanallothers.Sporttaughtusthatdaythatweshouldhavefaithinourselvesandwiththerightsupport,hardworkandeffortanythingispossible.Katieremindedusofthebestinourselvesandforthatweshouldbeeternallygratefultoher.Weneedtograspthatmemoryofthatgreatdayandliveit.

Sport is an important cornerstone for theimprovementofIrishSociety.AmoreactiveIrelandwouldbeabetterIrelandnotjustforthesakeofsportbutforthewiderimpactitwouldhaveonouroverallqualityoflife.

Duringtheseincrediblychallengingtimesitisimportantthatwedonotforgettolaythefoundationsforbettertimes…sportwillnotonlyhelpusgettherebutwillsustainusalongtheway.Inthisreportwenotonlylookbackatwhathappenedin2012butalsolooktothefuturetoseewhatsportcouldandshouldlooklikein2020.Buttogetthereweneedtoactnow.

SARAH O’CONNOR

ChiefExecutiveOfficer Federation of Irish Sport

Irish golf made a significant contribution to the astonishing European Ryder Cup success

Wexford representing impressive consistency in Camogie and Cork taking their seventh football crown in eight years

Ireland competed in a major football championship again

Thoughts on 2012 5

It is the year 2020. The Olympic / Paralympic Games are just around the corner. So what does sport look like in Ireland? How much has it changed from 2010 when all the talk seemed to be about the funding or non-funding of sport, when the future looked particularly bleak.

Happily a great deal has changed. Those appeals to Government to let sport play its part in the rebuilding of our economy and of our reputation abroad have been taken on board. Sport has been embraced by one and all, and not only are our elite sportsmen and sportswomen reaping the benefits but just as importantly sport is playing a major role in the fight against obesity and in improving the overall health of the nation.

So what does the sporting landscape look like? What have been the main changes and how have they made a real difference?

IrishSportiscomingtotheendofitsfirsteverfiveyearMasterplanwhichembraceseveryelementofsportinIreland.Theplanhasbeenahugesuccesswithnodecisionsbeingmaderegardingsportthatdonottieintothe“Masterplan”.TheGovernmenthaveconfirmedthatasecondplanbuildingonthesuccessofthecurrentonewillbeinpositionimmediatelyfollowingtheOlympics.

Avitalelementinthesuccesshasundoubtedlybeentheestablishmentofasinglestateentitytodealwithallsportrelatedmatters.SPORTIRELAND

wasformedbybringingtogethertheoldIrishSportsCouncil,theNationalSportsCampusDevelopmentAuthority,CoachingIrelandandtheIrishInstituteofSport.

Thenewentityisundoubtedlyoneofthestrongeststatebodies,withabsolutecontroloverallstateinvolvementinsport.Thenewbody,withaboarddrawnfromsportandbusinessnotaloneadministersthehighperformancebudgetandthegrantstothevarioussportsNGBs,italsohastotalcontrolofthesportscapitalbudget.NodecisioninvolvingsportinIrelandismadewithoutitsinputandthatincludesdecisionsrelatingtosportandhealthandalsoinrelationtosportstourism.

WhileSportIrelandistheofficialstatebodyforsport,IrishsportitselfistodayseentoberepresentedbyanequallystrongbodywhichspeakswithaunifiedvoiceforallsportinIreland.ThenewbodywhichhasgrownoutoftheFederationofIrishSportistodayconsultedonallissuesrelatingtosport.Noinvestmentsaremadeinsportorsportinginfrastructurewithoutfullconsultationwiththenew‘Federation’.Thereisacompleterecognitionthatsportknowswhatsportneedsandthatsportmustbepartofallinvestmentdecisionswhetherthatinvestmentbeinhighperformance,development,recreationalsportorfacilities.

UndoubtedlyoneofthemajorchangesthathavecomeaboutsincetheestablishmentofSportIrelandhasbeenarealisationbysportthatitneedstolookfornewwaystofunditself.

SporthasdefinitelyfoundthiseasiertoembracegiventhefactthatitnowfeelsithasarealsayinhowGovernmentfundingthroughSportIrelandforindividuals,organisationsandperhapsevenmoreimportantlyfacilitiesisadministered.ThereisarealbeliefnowthatallinvestmentsaremadewheretheyaremostneededandthatinvestmentsaremadeforthegreatergoodofallofIrishsport.

ThefactthattheGovernmenthasawardedamateursportcharitablestatushasbeenamajorhelpparticularlyforthemoreminorsports.Itreallyhasencouragedgreaterinvestmentfromavarietyofdifferentsourcesbothatnationalandlocallevel,particularlyintosportsthatotherwisewouldhavecontinuedtostruggletoraisemuchneededfunds.

TherecognitionbyGovernmentthatthebettingindustryistodayaboutfarmorethanbettingonhorseracinghasalsobeenreflectedinamuchfairerdistributionofthefundsraisedbythenewtaxesonthebettingindustry.Thishasbeenamajorbreakthroughandithasundoubtedlyhelpedmakeupforallthenecessarycutsinmoretraditionalareasoffunding.

Sportstillhoweverneedstoexplorenewwaysofgeneratingfunds,waysthat decrease the dependence on governmentfundingevenmore– andthisisrecognisedbyallsports.

ForitsparttheGovernmenthasnotalonerealisedtheimportanceofsportbuthastotallyembraceditspotentialtodeliverinsomanydifferentwaysincludinghealthandtourism.OnthehealthfronttheGovernmenthassetatargetforsporttocuttheannualexpenditureonhealth

Sport 2020A sporting life for everyone

The fact that the Government has awarded amateur sport charitable status has been a major help particularly for the more minor sports.

For its part the Government has not alone realised the importance of sport but has totally embraced its potential to deliver in so many different ways including health and tourism.

6 Sport 2020

byabillioneurothroughinnovativeprogrammesfocusingonhealthandfitnessforallagegroups.SporthasbeenchallengedtomakeIrelandthemostphysicallyactivenationinEurope.

TheGovernmenthasalsosanctionedthesettingupofSPORTSBIDIRELAND,ajointventurebetweenSportIrelandandthe“Federation”tobidforinternationalsportseventsacrossallsports.ThebodyhasbeentaskedtodeliveratleastonemajoreventeveryyearbutthistargethasalreadybeenexceededwithteneventsincludinganOlympicBoxingQualifyingevent,aWorldSailingChampionship,aEuropeanTriathlonandtheIPCWorldSwimmingChampionshipsalreadydestinedforIreland.

Prideofplace,mustgotothewinningofRugbyWorldCup2023.Aterrificdemonstration of what Irish sport can dowheneveryonepullstogether.Thespiritofco-operationbetweentheGAAandtheIRFU/FAIhasresultedinthecountrytodayhavingasuperbresourceofredevelopedstadiacapableofhostingeventsofdifferingsizes.Withstadiabeingusedalloverthecountrytheeconomicbenefitswillbesharedbyoneandall–andIrelandwillmostdefinitelybeintheshopwindowforsuchmajoreventsinthefuture.

ThecompletionoftheNationalSportsCampushasbeenahugesuccessonmanyfronts.ForthefirsttimeeverourOlympicandParalympicteamshavehadaproperhomebaseatwhichtotrain andtofinalisetheirpreparationsfor theGames.

TheinvestmentintheCampushasalsoreapeddividendsforsportstourism.Suchisthequalityofthefacilitiesmoreandmoreteams,andindeedindividuals,havebeencomingtoDublinfortrainingcampsandthattrendlookscertaintocontinue.

ThedecisionoftheGovernmenttoinvestbothinaVelodromeandamulti-sportshallonthesitehasbeenwidelywelcomedasagainsuchinvestmentwillnotalonehavemajorimplicationsforIrishsportbutalsowillundoubtedlybeusedbySportsBidIrelandtoattract moreevents.

Perhaps,however,thebiggestchangeofallhasbeenintheareaofrecreationalsport.Thegovernment’sdecisiontomakegreateruseofsportasatooltoimprovethenation’shealthhasbeguntopaydividends.

Withallschoolsnowhavingdailyphysicalactivityaspartoftheircurriculumthereisaheightenedawarenessamongstchildrenofthebenefitsofphysicalactivity.Thishasundoubtedlyhelpedtackletheproblemsidentifiedinrelationtobothobesityandself-image.

Handinhandwiththeschoolsinitiativehasbeenabrilliantsocialmediacampaigntopromoterecreationalsportingeneral.The“SportIsForEveryone”websitecontinuestoattractnewvisitorsdaily.Ithasproventobeabrilliantintroductiontosuchrecreationalactivitiesasswimming,joggingandcyclingwhilstalsolettingvisitorstothesiteknowhowbesttogoaboutaccessingthemoreorganisedsportswhichnowallofferintroductorysessionsastowhattheyhavetooffer.Thefactthatswimming,joggingandcyclingallnowoffer“MeetUpandJustDoIt”groupsessionshasbeenarealsuccess.

Theincreasinginvolvementofgirlsinsportmustalsobecommentedon.Thefactthatsomanynowcontinueoninsportwhentheyleaveschoolhasresultedinarealsurgeinwomen’ssport.WehavemoreelitewomenthaneverbeforeinIrishsportandthisyearwillseethelargestnumberofwomeneveronan IrishOlympicteam.

Interestingly,whilethemainfocushasbeenongettingyoungerpeopletoseesportaspartoftheirlivesonanon-goingbasis,therehasalsobeenagrowthinthenumberofover50sbecomingmoreactive.“SilverSport”isonthemove.

Yesin2020Irelandhasatlastembracedthefactthateveryonecan,andshould,haveasportinglife.

With stadia being used all over the country the economic benefits will be shared by one and all – and Ireland will most definitely be in the shop window for such major events in the future.


Vision 2020JohnTreacyChiefExecutiveOfficer,IrishSportsCouncil

Irishsporthashadagreatyearin2012.Sporthastravelledalongwayinrecentyearsbutisonlyatthebeginningofitspotential.By2020theIrishsportssectorwillbemakinganevengreatercontributiontooureconomyandsociety.

Overthenextdecadewehopetoseecontinuingincreasesinthenumberofpeopleparticipatinginsportandphysicalactivity.ThefocusoftheLocalSportsPartnershipsison“hardtoreach”groupsandtheyareverysuccessfulinactivatingpeoplewhofacebarrierstoparticipatinginsport.Overtimewewanttoseemorepeopleparticipatingbutalsogreaterconsistencyinnumbersacrossallsocialgroups.

TheNationalGoverningBodiesarethecentralpillararoundwhichIrishsportisconstructed.Hugestrideshavebeenmadebywell-runorganisationsin recentyearsinthedeliveryofservices tomembers.

Theaimfor2020mustbegreaterfinancialstabilityforsportsbodies.

Theyneedtoestablishsustainablestreamsofincomewhichwillincludegreaterlevelsofprivateinvestment insport.

By2020Irelandcanbeamodelforhowsmallcountriescancompeteinhighperformancesport.Therehavebeenclearandmeasurableimprovementsinperformanceinrecentyearsandweaimtocontinuethatprogress.2020willbeanOlympicandParalympicyearandwewillbeabletomeasureourprogressagainstthathighstandard.TheNationalSportsCampusatAbbotstownwillmakeasignificantcontributiontohighperformancesportandwillbeacentre ofexcellenceforalloursportsbodies.

Thereisahugetalentandcommitmentwithinthecommunitytocontinuetobuildthesectorsothatwewillberecognisednationallyandinternationallyasahealthyandsportingnation.

Sport 2020 7

2012wastheyearwhichprovedthattheinvestmentinIrishSportisyieldingresults.8yearsafterconsistentinvestmentinhighperformancesportcommenced,IrelandsentourmostdiverseteamevertotheLondonOlympicswithIrishathletescompetingin13ofthe26sports.Theteamtookhome5medalswhich,forthefirsttimesince1980,includedmedalsinmorethan1sport.Therewerealsoafurther6top10placings.MeanwhileourParalympicteamwasthemostsuccessfuleverwinning16medalsintotalincluding8gold.

Behindourseniorathletesthereisarealmofyoungerathletesbenefittingfromtheopportunityprovidedbyestablishedandworkinghighperformanceprogrammes.CanIrelandcompeteatthetoptable?Withtherightsupportwemostdefinitelycanandherearejustsomeoftheresultsoureliteathleteshavedeliveredinthepastyear.

High Performance Sport Investmentinsportispayingoff

One gold, one silver & three bronze medalsLondon Olympic Games

8th in T20 World Rankings for Irish Men’s Cricket Team

8 gold, 3 silver & 5 bronze medalsat the London Paralympic Games

1st Place in Aga Khan Trophy at the Dublin Horse Show

1st time Ireland took part in a Major Football Championships since 2002 World Cup

11

4th

2nd

4

IrishwinintheHeinekenCup in5yearswith anAll-IrishFinal inTwickenham

Irishgolfersranked in the Top 100 in theworld

place at World Youth Sailing Championships for Ireland’s Finn Lynch

1st place for Ireland’s Men’s Tug of War teamat700kgWorld Outdoor Championships

130medals across all sports at all levels between the Beijing and London Games compared to 70 medals between Athens and Beijing Games

coachescompleteSwimIreland’s first ever Level 3 CoachingProgramme

8 High Performance Sport

6 top 10 finishes by Irish athletes at the London Olympicsincludingtwo4thplaces by Rob Heffernan and Annalise Murphy

2nd place for Aileen Morrison at Madrid Triathlon – the best ever result by an Irish athlete

1st

1st

2

2

1st place for Craig Breen in the S2000 World Rally Championship

bronze medals at the World BatonTwirlingInternationalCup

1st female Judoka qualifies for Olympic Games in Lisa Kearney

Jason Smyth became the fastest Paralympian of all time

2nd place at European Swimming Championships for Sycerika McMahon place in the Money

List of the US PGA and European Tour for Rory McIlroy

Rowing silver medal for Irish rowers at the World Student Games

IrishwomenontheBritishandIrishCurtisCupTeamwhichdefeatedtheU.S.inScotland for the first time since 1996

at the European Bouldering CupforIreland’sDominicBurnswhoisalsoranked no. 1 in the World

ClaraPetersbreaksintoTop 30 World FigureSkatingRankings


Vision 2020StephenMartinChiefExecutive,OlympicCouncilofIreland

ThecultureofIrishSportin2020will seehighperformancesportdefinedby amentalitythatseeksresultsfuelledbyadesiretobethebest,tobeworldleadersinthefield.

Therewillbeco-operationandco-ordinationbetweenallagencieswithworldclassprofessionalstaffandstandards.IrelandwillconsistentlymedalatEuropean,World&OlympicGamesatbothyouthandseniorlevel.

Thesportingenvironmentwillseeanimpressivearrayoffirstclassfacilities andstaffwhichwillallowIrishathletes totrainmoreathome.Nooneoperatesinisolationandsuccesswhenitcomes isshared.

Irishathletesareallwell-balancedindividualswithasenseofresponsibilitybacktothecommunitywhichsupportsthem.

TheyunderstandtherequirementsofhighlevelsportandcanaccessandappreciateanIrishsportingsystemthatisofaworldclassstandard.Indeed,theyhavegrownupwithinthatsystem.

Irishsportsbodiesworktogetherandchallengeeachothertoachievethebestoutcomefortheathleteinamutuallybeneficialpartnership.

Theleadershiptheyprovideischaracterizedbyasenseofunityandaknowledgethatthebarisbeingsetashighaspossibleandthereisawillingnesstotaketoughdecisionswhentheyarerequired.

ThereisnoduplicationbetweenIreland’sStateAgenciesandtheOCI,andtheleadershiptheyprovideisseenasbold,unselfish,showingthatIrelandisontheworld’space.Sportwillspeaktogovernmentinasinglevoice.

Therearenoexcuses.

High Performance Sport 9

Four out of five Irish children do not meet the Department of Health and Children’s National Physical Activity Guidelines for maintaining and improving their current and future health. Over 300,000 children on the island of Ireland are estimated to be either overweight or obese. Children who are obese between the ages of 6 months and 5 years have a 25% chance of being obese as adults. If children are obese when over the age of 6, the chance of being obese as adults increases to 50% whilst this becomes an 80% chance for obese adolescents.

ChildrenneedtolearngeneralmovementconceptsabouthowtheirbodycanandshouldmovebeforelearningspecialisedsportspecificskillsandthisisnowrecognisedinmostsportandschoolprogrammesinIreland.

AkeyelementinturningthetideontherisingobesitytrendisthatallIrishchildrengettheminimum60minutesofmoderatetovigorousexerciseeveryday.Thereismuchtodotomakethisareality.Itwillinvolveco-operationandcollaborationbetweenthevariousdifferententities.HappilytheprocesshasstartedandIrishSportisalreadyworkingtogetmoreIrishchildrenactiveandinvolvedinsport.In2012:

• theGAAdeliveredfootballprogrammesin2,752primaryschools

• 16,000youngpeopletookpartinFAIsummercamps

• 130,855youngpeoplewereinvolved inschoolsandclubrugby

• 60%ofprimaryschoolsinSligotookpartintheLSP’sAnnualAthleticsFestival

• 1,000childrentookpartintheFingalFutureOlympiansPrimarySchoolCompetition

• 900primaryschoolchildrenjoinedSoniaO’SullivanfortheFingal2k FunRun

• 13LocalSportsPartnershipsdeliveredaphysicalactivityafterschoolprogrammeforprimaryschoolchildren

• 1,000childrenandadultsreceivedcyclingtrainingfromWestmeathLSP

• 25,000girlsundertheageof12playedCamogieaspartofthe‘GoGames’blitz

• 350childrentookpartinPaddlefest– athreedaylongfestivalofcanoeing

• 81,071childrenattendedGAACúlCampsacross32counties

• 1,500childrentookpartinGoforSportprogrammerunbyDonegalLSP

• 12%moreboysand15%moregirlsplayedHockeyacrossthecountry

• 850newunder17playerswereexposedtotabletennisthroughparticipationeventsandJuniorChallengerSeries

• 200,000childrenpartookpartinCommunityGames.

Sport & Children in Ireland Investmentinsportispayingoff

A key element in turning the tide on the rising obesity trend is that all Irish children get the minimum 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise every day.

Four out of five Irish children do not meet the Department of Health and Children’s National Physical Activity Guidelines for maintaining and improving their current and future health.

10 Sport & Children in Ireland


Vision 2020SusanMarronChairperson, IrishPrimaryPEAssociation

By2020PhysicalEducation(“PE”)willbeattheheartofchildren’seducation.Achild’sexperienceofPEwillhelpdeveloptheirphysical,socialandemotionalcompetencesaswellasgivethemtheconfidencetoparticipateinphysicalactivityandappropriateextra-curricularandcommunitysportingopportunities.

Childrenwillhavetheopportunitythroughphysicaleducationtoawidevarietyoflearningopportunitiesrelatedtocontentingymnastics,dance,athletics,aquatics,gamesaswellasoutdoorandadventureactivities.PEwillbeinclusive,funandmaximisephysicalactivityopportunitiesinlessons.

Achild’sprogressinPEwillbeassessed,recordedandreportedtoparents.Planningforphysicaleducationwillbeundertakenbyallstaffledbyasubjectleaderandsupportedbytheschoolprincipal.PEwillbetaughttochildrenbytheirclassteacherwhowillhaveaccesstoappropriatecontinuousprofessionaldevelopmentbyprofessionalswithexpertiseinprimaryeducation.

PEwillbesupportedbyphysicallyactiveschoolswhichmaximiseopportunitiestopromotephysicalactivityatlessontransitionsandbreaktimesandwhichencourageactivetraveltoandfromschool.Optionalextra-curricularactivitieswillbesupportedbytheNationalGoverningBodiesofSport,Local SportsPartnershipsandtheHSE.

Sport & Children in Ireland 11

Physical inactivity is a major public health issue with 13% of Irish people being sedentary. This figure has declined from 18% in recent years which means that sport has begun to make a difference.

Yet61%ofIrishadultsareeitheroverweightorobeseand2,000prematuredeathsinIrelandareattributedtoobesity.Physicalinactivityisresponsiblefor6%ofdeathsgloballyand1.6bnpeopleareestimatedtobeoverweightintheworld.Thisfigureisduetoincreaseto2.3bnby2015.

TheUKestimatethat11%oftheirannualhealth-spendisdirectlyrelatedtophysicalinactivity.AppliedtoIreland,thiswouldamountto€1.3billionin2012.TwoEuropeanUnionstudiesfoundthatphysicalinactivitycosts€150-€300percitizenwhilsttheReportoftheNationalTaskforceonObesityindicatedthatthedirectandindirecteconomiccostsofprematuredeathsassociatedwithobesitymaybecostingthestateasmuchas€4bnperyear.Irelandcurrentlyinvestsapproximately€18percitizendirectlytosport.

Physicalinactivityisestimatedtobetheprincipalcausefor21%-25%ofbreastandcoloncancers,27%ofdiabetesand30%ofheartdisease.Increasedparticipationinsportthereforewillnotjustimprovepublichealthbutalsocouldmakeasignificantsavingintermsofthemoneyspentonhealth.

Health & Participation Investmentinsportispayingoff

20112007

32.9% 34%

45%

2009

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16%

13%

Participation in Sport in Ireland

Sedentarism in Ireland

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8%6.8%

15%Volunteering in Sport in Ireland

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18

Physical inactivity is estimated to be the principal cause for 21% - 25% of breast and colon cancers, 27% of diabetes and 30% of heart disease.

50,000 entered 168 Triathlon Ireland Races 10,000 athletes partook in Special Olympics competition

17% increase in Athletics Ireland membership

12 Health & Participation

IrishSportisworkingtoincreasethenumberofopportunitiesforpeopletopartakeinsportandgoodprogressisbeingmade.MorepeopleareexercisingandlesspeoplearephysicallyinactiveandthisisinlargepartduetotheworkbeingdoneonacontinualbasisbyLocalSportsPartnerships,sportingbodiesandtheirvolunteers.Numerousmassparticipationeventswereheldandmembershipofsportsclubsincreasedensuringthatanewcultureofphysicalactivityisbeginningtotakeshape inIreland.

• 14,300peopleparticipatedintheDublinMarathon2012

• 38%ofthepopulationaremembers ofasportsclubupfrom32%in2009

• 17%increaseinAthleticsIrelandmembershipoverthelastyear

• 10,000athletesparticipatedinSpecialOlympicscompetitionsthisyear

• 11%increaseinthenumberofpeoplewhotookpartintheAnPostMeathHeritageCycle

• 15%increaseinthenumberofregisteredplayersintheIrish AmericanFootballLeague

• 50,000peopleentered168Triathlon IrelandRaces

• 29,581peoplehavetakenpartinSportWexfordprogrammessince2008

• 6.7%ofadultsaged16andoverswimeachweek

• 8,000leisurecycliststookpartinthe112mileRingofKerryCharityCycle

• 2,000athletestookpartintheIrishRowingChampionshipsmakingit thebiggestchampionshipsever

• 40,000womentookpartintheDublinFloraWomen’smini-marathon

• 30newmembers&4newclubsattheHorseshoePitchingAssociation

• 60adultstookpartinOffalyLSP’s 10weekmeetandtrainprogramme

• 3,000tookpartintheMeathHeritageCyclewith400onthefamilyspin

• 15,000peoplearemembersof CyclingIrelandmarkinga300%increaseinfouryears

• 2,000peopletookpartin245sportrelatedeventaspartofActive DonegalMonth

• 2,200cycliststookpartinthe TourdeBurren

• 8,500peopleparticipatedinthe GreatLimerickRun.

8,000 leisure cyclists took part in the 112 mile Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle.

6.7% of adults aged 16 and over swim each week

15,000 people are members of Cycling Ireland marking a 300% increase in four years


Vision 2020KarlHenryPersonalTrainer &FitnessExpert, KarlHenryPersonalTraining

Weliveinanamazingcountrywithfacilitiestocaterforeverysportenthusiast.Despitethisweareinanobesityepidemic.Thefutureneedstoseechange,adaptationandmoremovementacrossallagegroups.Thefactisnomatterwhatyourwaistline,thefitteryouarethehealthieryouare.Improvedfitnesslevelsleadtohealthier,happierandultimatelylongerlives.In2020,IwouldliketoseeanIrelandwhereallpeoplegettheminimumamountofrecommendedexercise-thatis30minutesofmoderateexercise5timesaweekforadultsand60minutesofmoderatetovigorousexerciseevery dayforchildren.

IwouldhopethatallIrishpeoplehaveaccesstotheinformationandknowledgetoimproveandmaintaintheirfitnesslevelsthroughinnovativeideasandpromotionongovernmentandlocallevel.Irishpeoplewillmovemoreonaregularbasis,anyformofmovementsuchaswalking,cycling,swimmingorsurfingonourwesternsurfmecca.Irishpeoplewillalltakepartinphysicalactivityensuringthattheirbreathrateiselevatedwhilstdoingitsothatourheartandlungsareworkinghardforpeakbenefits,nomatterwhatagepeopleare.AfitterandstrongerIrelandwillreduceallourmedicalbills,improvelifeexpectancyandimproveourhealth,leadingtoahealthier,happiermoreproductivesociety.

In2020,gettingourexercisehasbecomeasautomaticaswearingaseatbelt.AsaresultwearetheonlyEuropeancountrywherelevelsofobesityaredeclining.Irishpeopleunderstandthedirectlinkbetweenhealthandfitnesssowearemovingmoreandsittingless.Thereisanenergyandpositivitywithinsocietyaswerealisejusthowluckywearetoliveinacountrythathassuchanabundanceofmountains,lakesandsea.

Health & Participation 13

Sports tourism is serious business. Research by the British Tourism Authority has indicated that the tourist who comes to indulge in his or her chosen sporting passion spends almost twice as much as the “ordinary tourist”. Perhaps then it is no surprise that 2013’s The Gathering has targeted sporting activities and sporting events as a major part of its marketing campaign.

Thepowerofsportstourismwasverymuchinevidencein2012withtheAmericanFootballGamebetweenU.S.NavyandNotreDameattractingacapacitycrowdwhichincluded35,000visitorsfromtheU.S.ToputthatfigureinperspectiveitisthelargestnumberofAmericanstoevertraveltoasportingfixtureoutsideoftheU.S.ever–andthatincludestheOlympicGames.

ManyofthesevisitorscombinedthegamewithaholidayinIrelandandpreliminaryresearchhasindicatedthathotels,restaurants,shopsandgolfcoursessawasharpincreaseinbusinessnotaloneintheperiodaroundthegamebutthroughoutAugustandSeptember.Initialfiguresindicatethattheoverallcontributiontotheeconomyasawholeshouldbeintheexcessof€100million.SportsTourismWorks!

ButtheU.S.Footballwasonlyoneexampleofthepowerofsportstourism.Over30internationalsportingeventswereheldinIrelandin2012.Someofthepositiveexamplesofwheresportgeneratedtourismrevenuefortheeconomyinclude

• Anestimated155,000overseasvisitorsplayedgolfduringtheirvisittoIreland,theirtotalestimatedspendbeing €204million,supportingsome 7,300jobs

• 1.15millionpeopleattendedthe TallShipseventsinDublinPort

• €100mistheestimatedeconomicimpactoftheVolvoOceanRaceaccordingtotheGalwayChamber ofCommerce

• €171,000wasspentbycompetitorsintheDragonGoldCupSailingChampionshipsinKinsale

• 2,500peopletravelledfromthe UnitedStatesfortheGIFTseries ofAmericanfootballgames generatinganeconomic returnof€4.5million

• TheEuropeanHandball ChallengeTrophyheldin Limerickgenerated€250,000 forthelocaleconomy

• €410,000wasthetotalspendattributabletotheAnPostTour ofSligocycle

• 2,500peoplevisitedtheNationalAquaticCentreoverthe5days oftheDublinWaterPoloCup

• 2,300competitorsand800volunteerstookpartin6NationalSwimmingChampionships

• Over30countriessentteamsorathletestoIrelandforpre-Olympictraining

• 58,000peopleattendthePhoenix ParkMotorRaces

• 600delegatesfrom100countries visitedIrelandfortheInternational SailingFederationConference

• 180foreignathletescompeted intheIrishBadmintonOpen

• 2,000seatsfilledsixtimesatthe ElectricIrelandMen’sOlympic HockeyQualifiersatUCD

• €250,000wasthevalueof theTourdeBurrentothe Clareeconomy

• 100,000peoplevisitedthe DublinHorseShow

• 2,284bed-nightscreated bytheGreatLimerickRun

• 36extratransatlanticflights werescheduledtocaterfor theEmeraldIsleClassic.

Our Sporting Visitors Sportstourismisseriousbusiness

14 Our Sporting Visitors

The power of sports tourism was very much in evidence in 2012 with the American Football Game between U.S. Navy and Notre Dame attracting a capacity crowd which included 35,000 visitors from the U.S.


Vision 2020SarahO’ConnorChiefExecutiveOfficer, Federation of Irish Sport

Thispastyearhasonceagaindemonstratedthehugepotentialofsportstourismforthiscountry.TheNavyvNotreDameGame,theYouthSailingWorldChampionships,theVolvoOceanRace,theMen’sOlympicHockeyQualifierswereallexamplesofthisphenomenonnottomentionthehundredsofthousandsofgolfers,walkers,cyclists,anglers,triathletes,horseridersandmarathonrunnerswhocometoIrelandeachyeartopartakeintheirchosensport.

Thepotentialishugeandyetunlikemanyothercountriesaroundtheworldourapproachisunsystematicandadhocbutthereisabetterway…thesoonerweset upadedicatedagencytobidforsportseventsthebetter.AnexampleofwhatispossibleisSportEventDenmarkwhichhasanoutstandingtrackrecord.Denmarkisofcourselikeus,arelativelysmallcountrywithlimitedfacilitiesbutit’saheavyweightintermsofthesportingeventsinattracts.AjointventurebetweentheDanishgovernmentandthecountry’snationalsportingorganisations,‘SportEventDenmark’,isnowsosuccessfulitwins2outofevery3eventsitbidsfor.

InrecentyearsSportsEventDenmarkhasfacilitatedthehostinginDenmarkofOlympicandUEFACongresses,WorldandEuropeanchampionshipsacrossawiderangeofsportsincludingcycling,wrestlingandfootball.Andthefutureisbrightwithmajorshow-jumping,badminton,tabletennis,canoeingandarcheryeventsallalreadybookedoverthenextthreeyears.

Asimilarmodelcouldandwoulddeliver forIreland.Wehaveastrongtrackrecordinhostingsporteventsbuttherehasneverbeenastrategicapproachtothebringinginofsuchevents.ThisisanareawhereIrelandcouldexcelanddeliveraboosttoourtourismindustry.Theinternationalcompetitionishowevertoughandanorganisedandprofessionalapproachisrequired.

Iwouldlovetothinkthatby2020‘SportBidIreland’wouldbeestablishedinIrelandensuringthatsportandgovernmentwereworkingintandemtosecureasteadystreamofappropriateeventsintoIrelandwithalltheancillarybenefitsthatthiswouldprovide.

Our Sporting Visitors 15

Women in Sport Recentsuccessesareshining thelightforwomen’ssport

The success of Katie Taylor in winning Olympic Gold has undoubtedly been the individual sports story of the year. The publicity both during the Olympics and in the months following the Games has been phenomenal. And while the modest Katie would probably not agree Ireland has its first ever female sporting superstar.

Whathersuccesshasalsodoneistoshinealightonwomen’ssportgenerally,alightthatithasdeservedbutneverreceived.Irelandhasalargenumberofhighlytalentedsportswomenwhodeservethesamerecognitionthattheirmalecounterpartsreceivedayindayout.Theirachievementsareperhapsallthemoreremarkablegiventhelackofdedicatedfacilities,investmentandpublicityforfemalesportingeneral.

Hopefullythatwillnowcontinuetochangeandthosetalentedteamsandindividualswillgettherecognitiontheydeserveintheyearstocome.

IrishwomenhavealwaysplayedakeyroleinIreland’ssportinglife.40%offemalescurrentlypartakeinsportand170,000womenvolunteerinIrishsporteachyear,however,thesefiguresshouldbeevengreater.Thegoodnewsisthatyear-on-yearweareseeingincreasingnumbersofwomenparticipatingatalllevelsofsport.In2012wecanreport:

• 40ofthe148athletesinreceiptof IrishSportsCouncilSportarewomen

• 13.1%ofwomenvolunteerinsport eachyear

• €1.1millioninvestedbytheIrishSportsCouncilintheWomeninSportparticipationinitiative

• 50%plusofAthleticsIrelandmembersarefemale

• 728participantplacesfacilitatedinthefirsteverwomen’sonlyrunningseriesdeliveredinCountySligo‘SligoFit4LifeWomen’s5KSeries’

• 40,000womentookpartintheDublinFloraWomen’sminimarathon

• 2,000under14andunder15CamogieplayersparticipatedinfiveregionalintercountyblitzesandoneAllIrelandblitz

• 3,277womenplayseniorrugby

• 80WomentookpartintheWaterfordWomenonWheelsProgramme

• 300girlsintroducedtothefundamentalsofgolfthrough ‘GirlsinGolf’programmeinDonegal

• 15%growthingirlsclubhockey

• 1,100womenparticipatedintheTipperaryMiniMarathonalongsidesomeofIreland’stoprunnersCatherinaMcKiernan;AngelaMcCannandSiobhanDoherty.

What her success has also done is to shine a light on women’s sport generally, a light that it has deserved but never received.

40,000 women took part in the Dublin Flora Women’s mini marathon

16 Women in Sport


Vision 2020Sarah KeaneChiefExecutiveOfficer, SwimIreland

TodayinIrelandwehaveahostoftopclasssportswomenrightacrossawholerangeofsports.Andyetdotheygetthecredittheydeserveintermsofsponsorship,facilities,fundingorpublicity?

TheIrishSportsCouncilhasaspecificWomeninSportprogramme,fundsfemaleathletesthroughthecardingsystemandtheIrishTimesholdstheWomeninSportawards.Yetthefactremainsthatfemalesportspeopledo notgetanythinglikethesamerecognitionastheirmalecounterparts insimilarpositions.

NodoubtKatieTaylorwillhaveanexcellentchanceofbeingnamedSportsPersonalityoftheYearfor2012givenherOlympicGoldMedalbutweshouldnotforgetshewasathreetimeWorldChampionalreadyandhasnotyetreceivedtheaward.

WearealsoluckyinIrelandtohaveanumberofreallytalentedandcapablewomeninleadingrolesinsportsadministrationrightaroundthecountry.NottomentionthehugefemalevolunteerbasethatsustainsIrishSport.Againhoweverlikethefemaleathletesmuchofthisworkgoesonundertheradar.

AndyetallofthesegirlsandwomenareexceptionalandshouldmostcertainlyberealrolemodelsforyoungIrishgirlsandwomennationwide.40%offemalespartakeinsportandyetwiththerightencouragementandfocusonsomeofthefabulousexistingrolemodels,thisfigurecouldbeevenmore.

Sportisforeveryoneandthatincludeswomen.Women’spassionandcommitmentnomatterthenatureoftheirinvolvementinsportisjustasfierceasmen’s.Iwouldhopethatby2020femaleparticipantsinsportfeeltheircontributionisasrecognisedandasvaluedasthatofmenandthatgirlsandwomenofallagesareencouragedto getinvolvedinsporttothesameextentastheirmalecounterparts…trulysportforall.

Women in Sport 17

Sport unites people. There are countless examples of how sport brings people together. The European Union recognises sport as a major tool for promoting social inclusion in European Societies. A number of organisations such as the Laureus Foundation, Beyond Sport and even the UN use sport to achieve social objectives.

Sportchangeslivesandshiftsperception.Nowherewasthismoreevidentthanduringthisyear’sLondonParalympicGames.TheseweretheGameswheredisabilitysportwentmainstream,wheretheathleteswerefinallylaudedfortheirabilityratherthanforanydisability.PerhapswhenthedustsettlesthiscouldwellbethelastinglegacyofLondon2012.

SportinIrelandrecognisesthepowerithastoacceleratethepaceofintegrationinIrishSociety.Overthepastyearalone:

• 739newathletestookpartinSpecialOlympicsprogrammesaddingtothe10,000athletesalreadyinvolvedinSpecialOlympicsactivities

• 1,200peoplewereinvolvedinDisabilitySportInclusionProgrammesinDunLaoghaireRathdown

• Over400newparticipantsinParalympicsIrelandTalentSearch sinceLondon2012

• DeafSportIrelandincreasedtheirmembershipby45%withover900involvedwiththeassociation

• 1,664olderadultstookpartinMeathLSP’sGamesforLifeandMatureMoversprogramme

• IrishBlindSportdoubledthenumberofitsmembersunder30yearsofage

• TheIrishParalympicteamincluded8memberswhowerevisuallyimpaired

• 3DunLaoghaireyachtclubscombinedtorunanaccesssailingprogrammeforchildrenaged8to17withphysical&sensorialdisabilities

• 22teams&122participantstookpartintheLaoisBocciaLeagueupfrom 19teamsin2011

• 33newprogrammeswereinitiatedand498participantstookpartinMeathLSP’ssportsprogrammeforpeoplewithdisabilities

• Irelandfinished3rdatEuropeanTransplant&DialysisGames

• TheCamogieAssociationinconjunctionwiththeEqualityAuthoritydevelopedCamogieForAllworkshoptoadaptthegameforpeoplewithphysicalandintellectualdisabilities

• 500youngpeopleparticipatedin theBigIssuefootballstreetleague forhomelesspeople.

Sport & Integration Bringingpeopletogetherthroughsport

Sport in Ireland recognises the power it has to accelerate the pace of integration in Irish Society.

18 Sport & Integration


Vision 2020LiamHarbisonChiefExecutiveOfficer, ParalympicsIreland

DisabilitysporthascomealongwayinIreland,fromwherepeoplewithdisabilitieswereinstitutionalisedintheearly1900’stobeingonthepodiumattheParalympicGames,recognisedaseliteathletesbyall.

Andsoto2020andwhatsuccessmightlooklikeforIrelandandit’sParalympicathletes.

AftertheunprecedentedsuccessoftheLondonGames,ParalympicsIrelandputinplaceacomprehensivetalentsearchprogrammewithaviewtoprovidingsupporttotheaffiliateNGBstogrowtheirparticipationnumbersandcreatesustainablepathwaystoelitesuccessfortalentedathletes.

CoupledwiththiswasgrowingthecapabilityofnewsportstotheParalympicGamesprogrammeofTriathlonandCanoeing.ThesetwosportshavethrivedintheParalympicfamilyinIrelandandarenowfirmlyestablishedrepresentativesontheIrishTeamforParalympicGames.

WithtwiceasmanyparticipantsinParalympicsportsincethehugesuccessofLondon2012,Irelandnowregularlyaimstoreturnwinamedalhaulof15-20ateachParalympicGames.

Irelandsuccessfullybidforandhostedthe2019IPCSwimmingWorldChampionshipsandDarraghMcDonaldsettheselloutcrowdalightwithhisdoublegoldmedalwinningperformanceattheNationalAquaticCentre.ThiseventhadahugedomesticTVaudienceof2millionpeopleandwasstreamedin80countriesworldwide.

SportIrelandhasbeenhugelyinstrumentalinourrecentsuccess,providingformulti-annualfundingwhichallowsustoputinplacelongtermplanstotieinwiththeParalympiccycle.AtthecentreofexcellenceatAbbotstownourathleteshavepreparedforthepastnumberofyearstowardstheirgoalofwinningmedalsattheParalympicGamesinIstanbul.

In2020MichaelMcKillopwilltrytobecomethefirstathletetocompletethetaskofwinningagoldmedaldoubleatfourconsecutiveParalympicGames.IhavenodoubthewillrealisehisgoalandbelongrememberedasthegreatestathleteIrelandhaseverproducedandhismotherremainsveryproud.

Sport & Integration 19

The potential of Irish sport is immense. An excellent structure has been put in place. The opportunity is there to build on this and to ensure that Irish sport delivers not alone at elite performance level but in the many other areas where sport can and should be making a difference.

Itisourcontentionthatsportcanandshouldalsobemakingadifferenceintheareaofhealth.Webelievethatifthepowerofsportisharnessedcorrectlytoensurethatparticipationbecomespartofeveryone’sdailylives,thattherecanandwillbeamajorboostinthehealthofthenation–withacorrespondingmajorsavinginthehealthbudget!

Wealsobelievethatamorestructuredapproachtoattractingsportstouristscandeliveryearinyearoutonasimilarscaletotheimpactofthisyear’sU.S.footballgameandtheVolvoOceanrace.

HOWEVER!

Itneedstobepointedoutthatfurthercutsinfunding,anddecisionscurrentlybeingconsideredinrelationtosponsorshipcouldhaveanimpactthatwillnotalonedamagesportintheshorttermbutwillseriouslycompromiseitwayintothefuture.

Itisawell-documentedstatisticthatinvestmenttodayisneededtoensurethefutureofsportadecadedowntheroad.Converselyalackofinvestmenttodaywillhaveitsmostdamagingimpactnottodayortomorrowbuteighttotenyearsdowntheroad.Ithastoberememberedthatfundingforsporthasalreadygonedownby22%since2008whileoverallfundingincludinginvestmentinfacilitieshasdecreasedby72%inthesameperiod.

Sportis,ofcourse,notonlyreliantongovernmentfunding.Italsoreliestoalargeextentonsponsorship–andthatpotisalsodwindling.CurrentlyanumberofmajorIrishprofessionalteamsandanumberofmajoreventslookasiftheywillgointonextseasonwithoutsponsorshipatanythingliketheleveltheyhavepreviouslyenjoyed.Somesportsarefindingitimpossibletogetanycommercialsupport.

A Bleak Alternative Ifwekeepcuttingfunding wherewillwebein2020?

Further cuts in funding, and decisions currently being considered in relation to sponsorship could have an impact that will not alone damage sport in the short term but will seriously compromise it way into the future.

It has to be remembered that funding for sport has already gone down by 22% since 2009 while overall funding including investment in facilities has decreased by 72% in the same period.

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Funding to Sport in Ireland 2007-2012

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Irish Sports Council funding

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125

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Sport Sponsorship decline in Ireland since 2009

€m Sport Sponsorship*

Capital funding to Irish sport

20 A Bleak Alternative

ItisagainstthisbackdropthattheproposalcurrentlybeingconsideredbytheGovernmenttophaseoutsponsorshipbyalcoholbrandswillhavethepotentialtocauseseriousdamage–quickly.Therewouldappeartobeacompletelyfallaciouslogicatworkthatsuggestsiftherewasnoalcoholsponsorshiptomorrowtherewouldbeaqueueofsponsorslininguptotakeupthisslack.Thisisnottrueanditisdangerousthinking.

Weneedtobeputtingincentivesnotbarriersinplacetoencourageprivatesectorsupportbycorporatesandindividualsintosport.Sportistheonlypartofthecommunityandvoluntarysectorwhichdoesnotenjoycharitablestatus.Nextyearthegovernmentistolauncha“NationalGivingCampaign”…sportwouldlovetobeinvolvedbutsomeincentivemustbeintroducedtoencouragephilanthropytosport.

Ifgovernmentfundingcontinuestodwindle,alcoholsponsorshipdisappearsandnoadditionalsourcesofrevenueidentifiedSPORTwillbedamagedanddamagedbadly.Itisalsotruetosaythatthedamagewillfirstmanifestitselfintheveryareasinwhichsportneedssupport–incoachingforchildren,schoolsprogrammes,internationalcoachingexpertise,developmentalprogrammes,underagefixturesandtours.Nothingissurer.Andoncethathappenstheimpactdowntheroadwillbelackofinternationalsuccess.NomoreKatieTaylors,noOlympicmedalsatall,nomoreHeinekenCups,nomorequalifyingforsoccerWorldCups,nomoremajorgolfchampionsoncethecurrentsuperstarsdepartthestage.

Thereisachoice.Currentlyitisaboutfunding.Thechoiceandtheconsequencesareveryfirmlyinthe handsofthedecisionmakers.Theyneedtochoosewisely.

If government funding continues to dwindle and alcohol sponsorship disappears SPORT will be damaged and damaged badly.

There is a choice. Currently it is about funding. The choice and the consequences are very firmly in the hands of the decision makers. They need to choose wisely.

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Irish Sports Council funding

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2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

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Sport Sponsorship decline in Ireland since 2009

€m Sport Sponsorship*

Capital funding to Irish sport

A Bleak Alternative 21

Sport matters – maybe not so much in the corridors of power, but certainly in homes and communities all over the country.

Becausethisistheconstituencysportdependsontosurvive.Andaswetakemoreandmoremoneyoffpeople,wetakeanotherbiteoutofsportinIreland.Communitiesareattheheartofsport.Enthusiasm,goodwillandcommitmentarewhatitthrivesonbutabrokeanddispiritedcommunityspellsdanger.

Austeritywilldestroythiscountryinsomanyways.Justlookatsport:Theyear-on-yearcutsbiteintoeverything,fromeliteleveltothegrassroots,andtherewillbelastingeffects.Thedeeperthecutsthelongerthedamagewillbefelt.Alotofchildrenwillmissoutonthebenefits oftakingpartinsport.

Whenthiscountryhadmoneyitwasthrownatsport;whenthemoneydriedupsotoodidthegrandplansforIrishsport.Except,therewasneverapropergrandplan,andtherestillisn’t.

Sporthasbeenrepeatedlyhamperedbypoliticalinterferencewhenwhatisreallyneededisforsomebodywithimaginationandunderstandingtostepforwardandfosteranenvironmentwhichencouragespeopletothinkintherightway.

Atatimewhenresourcesarescarcetheargumentforsportcanbecomeconfusedbyemotivelanguage-whyshouldmoneybemadeavailabletosportwhenitmightbebetterusedkeepinghospitalbedsopen?

Theproblemwiththisistwofold.Firstly,thebudgetforsportin2012wasabout€45m,thehealthbudgetwas€13.5bn,whichshouldbeplentytorunthehealthservice.Thatit’sclearlynotislargelybecauseofthesystem’sinefficienciesandlackofflexibility.Secondly,inthelastfewyearstherehasbeenalotofdatagatheredtoshowthevalueofsport,andparticularlythevaluetotheStateofmassparticipation,inadditionalrevenueand-farmoreimportantly-insavingsonhealthexpenditure.

It’snotallaboutthemoney,itneveris,becausebetween1999and2012,wespentsomewhereintheregionof€1.3bnoftaxpayers’moneyonsportandwhathavewetoshowforit?Withanenormouscapitalspendinthattimeofover€700mtherewasneveranysenseofpurpose-justtrophyprojectsalloverthecountry,manyofwhichweretheproductofpoliticalfavouritism.Therewasafailuretoestablishalinkbetweenthedevelopmentoffacilitiesandthepromotionofparticipation.Haddevelopmentbeencarriedout,say,onaregionalbasis,wecouldatleastnowhaveawellresourcednetworkoffacilitieswidelyavailable.

Itwaseasytoseethen,whatisevenclearernow:successivegovernmentsdidnothaveanysportspolicytospeakof.Therewasnocoherentnationalstrategy,andtherestillisn’t.

View from the Media JohnGreeneSportsEditor,TheSundayIndependent

Communities are at the heart of sport. Enthusiasm, goodwill and commitment are what it thrives on but a broke and dispirited community spells danger.

At a time when resources are scarce the argument for sport can become confused by emotive language - why should money be made available to sport when it might be better used keeping hospital beds open?

22 View from the Media

Capitalspendingdoesn’thavetobeadirtywordjustbecauseofourindebtedness.Properinvestmentcanstillleadtosignificantlong-termgainsandoneoftheseisinthedevelopmentoffacilitiesandstructureswhichpromoteparticipationinsportatthegrassroots.Atanyrate,publicmoneycan’tjustbecomeconsumedbydebtoverthenexteightyears.Therehastobesomebenefitsderivedforthecitizensandthepromotionof,andparticipationin,sportsimplymustbeoneofthese.

Itwouldbegreat,in2020,tobetalkingaboutsportinarealandmeaningfulway,abouthowitreallymatters.Anditmattersmorethanhowmanymedalswewinatthe2020Olympics,orwhowinsthatyear’sAll-Irelands,orifIrelandare inEuro’20.

WemightevenbelookingforwardtohostingtheRugbyWorldCupin2023,withalltheeconomicgainsthatwillbring.

Butwouldn’titbegreatifwewerelookingatrealprogressin2020–theculminationofavisionbornin2012, withnobarriers.

Wecouldhavesportaspartofthesecondlevelcurriculum;thenation’scitizenscouldbehealthierandbettereducatedastothebenefitsofphysicalactivity;wecouldhaveamoresociallyinclusiveapproachtoensurethatthepoorandthemarginalisedhavethesameaccesstosportaseveryoneelse;andwecouldgenuinelyunderstandtherolesportcanplayinthenationalrecovery.

Eightyears,andcounting…

JOHN GREENE

Sports Editor TheSundayIndependent

There has to be some benefits derived for the citizens and the promotion of, and participation in, sport simply must be one of these.

Media by Numbers

€6,500,000+thevalueofprintmediacoverage ofParalympics

2,200,000+ peopleinIrelandwatchedParalympicsontelevision

1,397,400 tunedintotheAllIrelandFootballfinal

3,600 hoursofsportstreamedonlinebyRTE

3,000+ pagesofsportintheIrishTimesover thelastyear

2,300 hoursofOlympiccoverageonRTE

2,000 newspaperarticles,radioandTVbroadcastshavehighlightedthesuccessoftheGalwayVolvoOceanRace

1,050 hoursofsportonRTEradio

450 hoursofParalympiclivestreamingavailableonRTE.ie

200 mediamemberscredentialedfor theEmeraldIsleClassicAmericanFootballgame

125 countrieswatchedthefirst All-IrishHeinekenCupfinal

100% ofU.S.hadcoverageofEmeraldIsleClassiconCBS

80 hoursofcoverageoftheParalympicGamesonSetantaincludinglivecoverageforthefirsttime

66 countriesinEurope,theMiddleEastandAfricawatchedtheEmeraldIsleClassic

But wouldn’t it be great if we were looking at real progress in 2020 – the culmination of a vision born in 2012, with no barriers.

View from the Media 23

CANUSA BERMEXJPN

RUSCHN KOR

NEPIND

SRITHA

SINAUS

NZL

PHIINA FIJSAMMDVMAS

LAOBAH

DOM LCABARCRC

BRAPERVENCOL

PANJAM

CUBESANCA

CHIURU

ARG

IRLENGNED

BEL AUTGER

DEN

NORSWE

CZESLO

POLUKR

HUNCROFRASUIESPPOR ITA BUL

TURGREMLTMAR EGY ISR

UAEQAT

JOR

NAM BOTRSA

MRIMOZ

KENRWAGHA

TUN LBASEN

FINOur Best Ambassadors Worldwide

Over the past twelve months Irish sportsmen and sportswomen have competed both as individuals or as members of teams all over the world acting as great ambassadors for Ireland in the process. And once again our supporters have complemented their endeavours bringing colour and passion to events far and wide.

WhileourfootballteammaynothavefaredaswellasweallwouldhavewishedatEuro2012theIrishfansleftanindelibleandincrediblypositivelegacyforthecountry.TherecanbenobodywhoeitherattendedEuro2012orwhowatchedthemediatelevisioncoveragewhocouldnothavebeenawareoftheIrishfans–brilliantambassadorsandagreatcredittothecountry.

OnlyweekslateritwastheturnofourboxingsupporterswhoseemedtoowntheExcelArenaattheLondonOlympics.WerethereanynonIrishfansintheExcelthedayKatieTaylorwongold?

A snapshot of our sports achievements globally:

CroatiaEuropeanTransplant&DialysisGames

IsraelEuropeanHandballChampionshipQualificationTournament

NetherlandsEuropeanFederationofAmericanFootballAtlanticCupFinals

NorwayNorwegianChallengerBadminton

EnglandLondon2012OlympicandParalympicGames

RussiaIFMAMuaythaiWorldChampionships

Sri LankaICCWorldTwenty20Cricket

USAICUCheerleadingWorldChampionships

PeruISAStand-UpPaddleWorldChampionships

EgyptDavisCupTennis

New ZealandITUTriathlonWorldChampionshipSeriesGrandFinal

South AfricaIRBJuniorWorldChampionshipRugby

ChinaPentathlonWorldCupFinal

SamoaApiaWorldCupJudo

FinlandEuropeanAthleticsChampionships

SwedenWorldOrienteeringChampionships

HungaryEuropeanSwimmingChampionships

Poland/UkraineEuro2012

France2012WorldFigureSkatingChampionships

BelgiumFIHOlympicHockeyQualifier

24 Our Best Ambassadors Worldwide

CANUSA BERMEXJPN

RUSCHN KOR

NEPIND

SRITHA

SINAUS

NZL

PHIINA FIJSAMMDVMAS

LAOBAH

DOM LCABARCRC

BRAPERVENCOL

PANJAM

CUBESANCA

CHIURU

ARG

IRLENGNED

BEL AUTGER

DEN

NORSWE

CZESLO

POLUKR

HUNCROFRASUIESPPOR ITA BUL

TURGREMLTMAR EGY ISR

UAEQAT

JOR

NAM BOTRSA

MRIMOZ

KENRWAGHA

TUN LBASEN

FINthe future of Irish Sport

Vision 2020RoddyCarr

PadraigHarringtonisundoubtedlyoneofIreland’sgreatestsportingambassadors.Whereverhegoesintheworldheiswelcomed.Heisawonderfulambassadorforthecountry.RoddyCarr,afinegolferinhisownrightandtodaysomeonewhoworksrightacrossthegolfingindustrywasathandrecentlytoseePadraigre-gainhiswinningwaysinBermudawherehewontheannual“GrandSlamofGolfEvent”.Hewrote…inspiteofwhatPadraighasachievedonthegolfcourseitishiscontributionoffthecoursethatisevenmoreimpressive.IwasluckyenoughtobeinBermudaafewweeksagowithPadraigforthePGAGrandSlamEvent.Iwatchedhimwalkoverthemagnificentfairwayswithabroadandengagingsmileonhisfacewhatevertheshot,goodorbad.Hewonwithgraciousnessandevenhisopponentsseemedhappyonthefinalholeastheycongratulatedhimonhisfirstwinforsometime.HestoodonthegreenafterwardsatthepresentationandeffortlesslyentertainedthecrowdthankingthemfortheirsupportandalsomakingthesponsorsandlocalgovernmentministersfeelproudforhostingsuchaspectaculareventinBermuda.ThefullboardofthePGAofAmericawasstandingbehindhim.Itwasasighttobehold.Atrueprofessionalatwork.

IcouldnothelpbutfeelhowluckyitwasthatIrelandhassuchastatesmanasanambassadorandgentlemanrepresentingthecountrywithsuchopenprideoneverystepofhisgreatcareerineverycorneroftheworld.Ialsothoughtoftheinfluencethathehashadasarolemodelwithallourrisingstarsandsuperstars.Ihaveattendedmanyawardsdinnersinrecentyearsfortheincrediblefeatsofourgolfersandateveryonetheplayers,manandwoman,referencethepositiveinfluencePadraigHarringtonhashadonthemasarolemodel.Othersmaygoontoachievemorebuttheyhavelearnedwell fromtheirrolemodel.

InBermudathecountryhonourstheirlegendarysportsmenandwomendesignatingthemofficiallyasheroes.Statuesandroundaboutsarebuiltintheirhonour.PadraigHarrington’slegacywillbemorethanthetitlesandmajorshehaswoninhiscareer.ItwillbetheprofoundinfluencehehashadonfuturegenerationsandalsohappilythewonderfulworkhehasdoneinpromotingIrelandallovertheworld

AmericaAndorraArgentinaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahrainBelgiumBermudaBrazilBulgariaCambodiaCanadaChile

ChinaChineseTaipeiColombiaCroatiaCzechrepublicDenmarkEnglandEstoniaEthiopiaFaroeIslandsFrance GermanyGreenlandHongKong

HungaryIndiaIranIsraelItalyJapanKenyaKoreaKyrgyzstanLithuaniaLuxemburgMacedoniaMalaysiaMalta

MexicoMonacoNepalNetherlandsNewZealandNewZealandNorwayPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussiaScotlandSerbia

SingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSouthAfricaSpainSriLankaSwedenSwitzerlandTaiwanThailandTibetUAEUkraineWales

In2012ourinternationalathletesbroughtgreatcredittothecountrywherevertheyappeared–likeRobKearney,EuropeanPlayeroftheYear;DonegalandKilkennyonall-stardutyintheU.S.;KatieTaylorattheOlympics;RoryMcIlroy,PadraigHarrington,GraemeMcDowellandShaneLowrywereallwinnersontheUSPGAorEuropeanTour;JasonSmythandMichaelMcKillopdoublegoldonthesameevening(beamedtotheworldbyChannel4).Infact,ourathletescompetedin70differentcountriesaroundtheglobe:

Ourcountry’sbestambassadorsyearinyearout–oursportsmenandsportswomen–allhelpedbythegovernmentfundinginvestedinsportovertheyear.By2020perhapswemightseetheIDAandEnterpriseIrelandorganisetrademissionsaroundthecompetitionschedulesofthosegreatIrishambassadors

Our Best Ambassadors Worldwide 25

Angling Council of Irelandwww.anglingcouncilireland.ie

Core Grant Funding - €14,625Highlight 2012: BronzemedalbyTeamIrelandinaclosefoughtfinishattheWorldShoreAnglingChampionshipsinHolland

Archery Irelandwww.archery.ie

Direct Athlete Investment Funding - €36,000Highlight 2012: 90archerstookpartintheAll-IrelandFieldArcheryChampionships,whileover100competedintheNationalIndoorChampionships

Athletics Irelandwww.athleticsireland.ie

Core Grant Funding - €942,000High Performance Funding - €885,000Direct Athlete Investment Funding - €536,000Women in Sport Funding - €45,000Highlight 2012: A15%increaseinFit4LifeclubsaroundthecountrywhichgivepeopletheopportunitytogetfitandenjoywalkingandrunninginstructuredenvironmentVision 2020: AthleticsIrelandwillbeadynamicandwellstructuredorganisationwith100,000memberswithregionalandnationalprogrammesgearedtowardsalllevelsofparticipation

Australian Rules Football League of Irelandwww.arfli.com

Highlight 2012: IrelandcementedtheirplaceasthenumberoneinEuropeanAustralianRulesFootballwithvictoryinthe9-a-sideEuroCupVision 2020:ARFLIwillexpandtonewcentresaroundthecountry,whileIrelandwillhaveitsownpermanenthomeforAussieRuleswherenationalandinternationalmatchescanbeplayed

Badminton Irelandwww.badmintonireland.com

Core Grant Funding - €326,529High Performance Funding - €80,000Direct Athlete Investment Funding - €58,000Women in Sport Funding - €40,000Highlight 2012: BadmintonIreland’sChloeMageeandScottEvansqualifiedfortheLondon2012OlympicGameswithbothreachingthelast24Vision 2020:BadmintonIrelandwillhaveapermanenttrainingcentreinDublinwhichwillbethebaseforfulltimetrainingforahighperformancesquadofeight,afulltimePerformanceDirectorandassistantcoach

Basketball Irelandwww.basketballireland.ie

Core Grant Funding - €590,349Women in Sport Funding - €127,000Highlight 2012: CapacitycrowdsandlivebroadcastsbySetantaSportsattheNationalLeagueandCupFinalsbroughttopqualityIrishBasketballtopeoplealloverthecountryVision 2020:BasketballIreland’sinternationalprogrammeswillbere-engagedwithsuccessontheEuropeanstage,whileparticipationinthesportcontinuestoincreaseatalllevelsandcontinuestogrowcommerciallyandattractsponsors

Baton Twirling Association of Irelandwww.btsai.ie

Core Grant Funding - €13,503Women in Sport Funding - €3,600Highlight 2012: DavidDoynewastheleadinglightforIrishattheWBTFInternationalCupinFlorida,returningwithtwobronzemedalsVision 2020:BatonTwirlingSportAssociationofIrelandwillhaveincreasedopportunitiesforyoungpeopletoparticipateinbatontwirling

Bowling League of Irelandwww.irishlawnbowls.ie

Core Grant Funding - €25,350Highlight 2012: IrelandtooksecondplaceoverallintheBritishIslesChampionshipsinWales,includingawinforPaulDalyinthesinglescompetition

Camogie Associationwww.camogie.ie

Core Grant Funding - €396,168Highlight 2012: 750girlsfrom48clubsplayedinCrokeParkatadaylongfestivalofCamogieVision 2020:EverygirlwillhavetheopportunitytoplayCamogiebythetimetheyleaveprimaryschoolinameaningfulwayinasafeandlearningenvironment

Canoeing Irelandwww.irishcanoeunion.com

Core Funding - €243,449Direct Athlete Investment Funding - €76,00Highlight 2012: TheInternationalLiffeyDescentformedpartoftheInternationalCanoeFederationRoughWaterWorldseriesVision 2020:Therewillbemassparticipationinthesportofcanoeing,andasuccessfulhighperformanceprogrammewithlongevityinplace

Cerebral Palsy Sport Irelandwww.cpsi.ie/

Core Grant Funding - €56,856Direct Athlete Investment Funding - €78,000Highlight 2012: 9CerebralPalsySportathletesqualifiedfortheLondon2012ParalympicGamesVision 2020:Allathleteswillbeenabledtoparticipateinanysportataleveloftheirchoosing

Colleges and Universities Sports Association of Irelandwww.cusai.ie

Core Grant Funding: €60,000Highlight 2012: AsilvermedalforClaireLambeattheWorldUniversityRowingChampionshipsinRussiaandabronzefortheMen’sGolfTeamattheWorldUniversityGolfChampionshipsintheCzechRepublicmarkedagreatyearforCUSAIontheinternationalstageVision 2020:Asignificantmajorityofthepopulation,includingthirdlevelcommunities,willmeettherecommendeddailyphysicalactivityguidelines

Community Gameswww.communitygames.ie

Core Grant Funding - €269,610Highlight 2012: Over200,000childrenfromalloverIrelandtookpartintheCommunityGames,supportedbyover20,000volunteers

Cricket Irelandwww.cricketireland.com

Core Grant Funding - €368,825High Performance Funding - €70,000Highlight 2012: IrishSeniorMen’steambypasscricketinggiantsAustraliaatonepointreaching8thintheT20worldrankingsVision 2020:TheIrishmen’scricketteamwillprogresstothetoptierininternationalcricketwithregularmatchesathomeandabroadinfrontofatleast10,000spectators

Croquet Association of Irelandwww.croquetireland.com

Core Grant Funding - €5,472Highlight 2012: Wicklow’sAndrewJohnstonbecamethethirdIrishmantowintheEuropeanCroquetChampionships

Creating a Return on the Taxpayers Investment

In 2012, the Irish Sports Council distributed €36 million in core, high performance and women in sport grants to more than 100 of Ireland’s National Sporting Organisations and Local Sports Partnerships. We know that sport generates a return of €149 on every €100 invested but set out below is just some of the dividend sport has delivered in real terms during 2012.

26 Creating a Return on the Taxpayers Investment


Vision 2020FinbarrKirwanDirectorofHighPerformance, IrishSportsCouncil

2012wasaremarkableyearforIrishsportandtheIrishhighperformancesystemisnowdemonstratingarealreturnoninvestment.Itisshowingthevalueofconsistentinvestmentoverthelongterm.Between2009and2012itislikelythatover130podiumplaceswillhavebeenachievedinIrishSportsCouncilsupportedprogrammesininternationalchampionships.Thiscomparesto70podiumplacesachievedoverthefouryearsoftheBeijingcycle(2005to2008).

Progressisbeingachievedthroughacollaborativeapproachwhichhasevolvedoverthepastdecade.Thisisbasedontherecognitionbyallagenciesoftheroleandfunctionsoftheothers.Thesystemoverthenextdecadewillcontinuetobedrivenbyconsistentinvestmentintargetedgoverningbodies,performanceleadershipfromPerformanceDirectorsandcoaches andqualityserviceprovisionfrom theInstituteofSport.

ItisintendedthatthiscollaborativeapproachwillcontinueforthenextQuadrennialCycletoRio2016andbeyondto2020.StrongfunctioningrelationshipswiththeOlympicCouncilandParalympicsIrelandwillalsobevitalasthesystemevolvesandmuchwillbetakenfromtheexperiencesattheLondonGames.

AgenerationofIrishathletesisnowemergingfromanIrishbasedsystemwhichhasdevelopedoverthelastnumberofyears.Thechallengeforthefutureistoensurethatthissystemcontinuestoevolveandaccelerateinlinewithand,ultimatelybeyond,ourinternationalcompetitors.ThiswillensurethatIrishathletesdeliverpodiumperformancesatmajorchampionshipsonarepeatableandconsistentbasis.

Cycling Irelandwww.cyclingireland.ie

Core Grant Funding - €314,851Women in Sport Funding - €6,000High Performance Funding - €260,000Direct Athlete Investment Funding - €296,000Highlight 2012: SuccessingrowinggrassrootswasmirroredwithsuccessathighperformancelevelwithfiveParalympicmedalsandIreland’sfirstWorldSeniorTrackMedalwoninMelbournebyCarolineRyanVision 2020:Aclearpathwayforchildrenfromschoolyardtopodiumwillexist,withthenecessaryfacilities,coaches,servicesandsupportedvolunteernetworkthroughhigherprioritisedgovernmentfundinglevels

Deaf Sports Irelandwww.deafsportsireland.com

Core Grant Funding - €63,089Highlight 2012:TherebrandofDeafSportIrelandfromtheIrishDeafSportsAssociationhasintroducedanewmanagementstructureandconstitutiontoservicetheneedsofthemembershipwhichhasseena45%increaseVision 2020:ThesocialandcommunitybenefitsofDeaf/HardofHearingparticipationinsportfromgrassrootstointernationallevelwilldevelopasDSImembershipcontinuestogrow

Football Association of Irelandwww.fai.ie

Grant Funding - €2,840,000Women in Sport Funding - €150,000Highlight 2012: TheRepublicofIrelandmen’ssidereachedtheUEFAEuropeanChampionshipfinalsforthefirsttimesince1988

GAA Handball Irelandwww.gaahandball.ie

Core Grant Funding - €91,650Women in Sport Funding - €17,000Highlight 2012: Over2,000playerscontestedtheWorldHandballChampionshipshostedbyGAAHandballIrelandatCitywestwhereover3,000fanspackedintoarenafortheevent

Gaelic Athletic Associationwww.gaa.ie

Grant Funding - €2,700,000Highlight 2012: 81,071childrentookpartinGAACúlCampsacrossIreland,while8,100primaryschoolteamspartookingamesin2012

Golfing Union of Irelandwww.gui.ie

Core Grant Funding - €148,298High Performance Funding - €280,000Team Ireland Golf Trust Funding - €139,000Highlight 2012:IrishAmateurChampionAlanDunbarcappedanimpressiveindividualyearbyliftingtheBritishAmateurtitleandbecomingoneofonlytwoamateurgolferstoplayinthisyear’sOpenChampionshipatRoyalLytham

Gymnastics Irelandwww.gymnasticsireland.com

Core Grant Funding - €234,199Women in Sport Funding - €70,000Direct Athlete Investment Funding - €12,000Highlight 2012: Agrowthinmembershipto14,000,KieranBehan’squalificationfortheLondon2012OlympicGamesandthelaunchofGymEDGE–agymnasticbasedsportscoachdevelopmenttoolforanycoachfromanysportVision 2020:GymnasticsIrelandwillbeasecurelyfinanced,well-resourcedandsupportedNGBdeliveringawiderangeofservicesandeventsforanyoneinterestedinparticipationinGymnasticsinIreland

Horse Sport Irelandwww.horsesportireland.ie

Core Grant Funding - €786,575High Performance Funding - €500,000Highlight 2012: AcapacitycrowdwitnessedIrelandwintheAgaKhanTrophyattheDublinHorseShowforthefirsttimeineightyears

Horseshoe Pitchers Association of IrelandCore Grant Funding - €3,900Highlight 2012: Fournewclubsestablishedandmorethanfiftycompetitionsheldaroundthecountrythroughout2012

Ice Skating Association of Irelandwww.isai.ie

Highlight 2012: Weweresuccessfulinourbid tobringthe2014InternationalSkatingCongresstoIrelandwhichhasthepotentialtogenerate €1millionfortheIrisheconomyVision 2020:PubliclyfundediceskatingfacilitieswillremovetheneedforIrishSkaterstotravelabroadtotrainandparticipateiniceskating

Irish Amateur Boxing Associationwww.iaba.ie

Core Grant Funding - €352,300High Performance Funding - €755,000Direct Athlete Investment Funding - €463,000Highlight 2012: Fourmedalsincludinggold,silverandtwobronzecappedanimpressiveLondon2012OlympicGamesforIrishBoxingVision 2020:Increasedparticipationamongstyoungmalesandfemalescoupledwithmoreyouthinternationalcompetitionandincreasedfundingfornon-cardedboxersandvoluntarycoacheswillseeIrelandcontinuetoproduceworldclassboxers

Irish Fencing Federationwww.irishfencing.net

Core Grant Funding - €22,264Direct Athlete Investment Funding - €12,000

Irish Amateur Wrestling Associationwww.irishwrestling.org

Core Grant Funding - €15,219High Performance Funding - €5,500Highlight 2012: AlexDollyclaimed9thplaceoutof48competitorsinthe84-kiloweightclassattheFILAWrestlingWorldChampionshipsinIstanbul,Turkey

Creating a Return on the Taxpayers Investment 27

Irish American Football Associationwww.americanfootball.ie

Core Grant Funding - €22,000Women in Sport Funding - €3,000Highlight 2012: TheIAFA’spartnershipwithSouthDublinTourismandSouthDublinCountyCouncillookssettoattractmajorAmericanFootballgamestoTallaghtStadiumduring2013aspartofTheGatheringVision 2020:TheIAFAwillhaveastrongparticipationatalllevelsfromyoungchildrentoadulthood.ThiswillincludeaPrimarySchools FlagFootballProgramme,alargenetworkofyouthkittedteams,astrongIAFLwith20+ teamsplayingagoodstandardofcompetitiveAmericanfootballandaregularseriesofadult flagtournaments

Irish Blind Sports Associationwww.ibsports.ie

Core Grant Funding - €36,894Highlight 2012: Anewthreeyearstrategicplanwaslaunchedandaccompaniedbyadoublinginthenumberofmembersunder30Vision 2020:Aco-ordinatorineachprovincewilloverseethedevelopmentofsportsforVisuallyImpairedparticipantsandprovidesupporttoallPEteachersandsportscoaches,whowillbefullytrainedandequippedtoincludeVisuallyImpairedparticipants

Irish Cheersport Associationwww.irishcheersport.wix.com

Highlight 2012: TeamIrelandmadetheirmarkontheinternationalstageplacing10thattheWorldCheerleadingChampionshipsSeniorEliteand3rdinEuropeVision 2020:Allathleteswillhavetheluxuryoftraininginfullsizeheatedgyms.Recreationalandcompetitivecheeranddanceinschoolsanduniversitiesforbothmalesandfemaleswilltakeplaceonadailybasis

Irish Clay Pigeon Shooting Associationwww.icpsa.ie

Core Grant Funding - €34,125High Performance Funding - €20,000Direct Athlete Investment Funding - €40,000Highlight 2012: IrelandTeamsandindividualshootersdominatedtheEuropeanDTLChampionships

Irish Hockey Associationwww.hockey.ie

Core Grant Funding - €233,726High Performance Funding - €450,000Direct Athlete Investment Funding - €60,000Women in Sport Funding - €40,000Highlight 2012: BoththeIrishmen’sandwomen’steamscamewithinamatchofreachingLondon2012Vision 2020:Withtheseniorsideshavingcompetedatthe2016OlympicGames,thegamewillcontinuetogrowatgrassrootslevelontopqualitypitches

Irish Ice Hockey Associationwww.iiha.org

Highlight 2012: GarethRobertswasnamedbestforwardofthetournamentasIrelandfinished 4thattheIIHFWorldChampionshipDivisionIII inTurkey

Irish Judo Associationwww.irishjudoassociation.ie

Core Grant Funding - €72,607High Performance Funding - €10,000Direct Athlete Investment Funding - €12,000Highlight 2012: Ireland’sLisaKearneymadehistorybybecomingthefirstIrishfemaleJudokatoqualifyforanOlympicGamesVision 2020:ApermanentDojo(trainingcentre)willbeinplaceinall32countiesandJudowillnolongerhavethetagofa‘minoritysport’

Irish Kidney Associationwww.ika.ie

Highlight 2012: TransplantTeamIrelandcamein3rdoutof28countriesinthe7thEuropeanTransplant&DialysisGameswhichwereheldinZagreb,CroatiaVision 2020:AreliablefundingstreamwillsubsidisetheinvolvementofIrishcompetitorsinWorldandEuropeanCompetitions,andgrowthedomesticprogrammetoapointwhereitcanberegionalised

Irish Ladies Golf Unionwww.ilgu.ie

Core Grant Funding - €44,000High Performance Funding - €115,000Women in Sport Funding - €15,000

Irish Martial Arts Commissionwww.martialarts.ie

Core Grant Funding - €23,059Highlight 2012: 2,500competitorsfrom37countriestookpartintheIrishKickboxingOpen atCitywestinDublinVision 2020:TherewillbeanintegratedathletesupportanddevelopmentplatformforhighperformersinMartialArts.TransparentandeffectivesupportandfundingmechanismswillbeunderpinnedbyaccountabilityandvalueformoneyinitiativesandtherewillbegreaterunderstandingofthesocialandculturalbenefitsofsportandrecreationtoIreland

Irish Olympic Handball Associationwww.olympichandball.org

Core Grant Funding - €35,712Women in Sport Funding - €6,000Highlight 2012: TheestablishmentoftheHighPerformanceUnitsawhighprofilenamesjointheIOHA:EddieO’Sullivan,formerIrishRugbycoach,ToniGerona,FCBarcelonaCoach,DavidMatthews,dualOlympianandCorkHurlingfitnesscoachandStephenMcIvor,SportsPsychologisthelpedtheIrishmensteammovefrom50thto40thintheworldrankingsVision 2020:OlympicHandballwillbethenumberoneindoorteamsportinIrelandandacorepartofthePEcurriculuminschools.AnIrishteamwillcompeteintheOlympicGamesandOlympicHandballwillhaveitsownarenainDublintohostinternationalevents

Irish Rugby Football Unionwww.irishrugby.ie

Grant Funding - €2,490,000Women in Sport Funding - €120,000Highlight 2012: LeinsterRugbyclaimedtheirthirdHeinekenCupinfouryears,beatingtheirIrishrivalsUlsterRugbyinthe2012finalVision 2020:Greaterfundingforfacilitieswilladdressthepotentialproblemofcopingwiththeincreasingnumberofyoungplayerswhowanttoplayrugby.Fundingwillalsoallowtheimplementationofaworld-classwomen’s7sprogrammetorunalongsideotherparticipationprogrammes

Irish Sailing Associationwww.sailing.ie

Core Grant Funding - €447,313High Performance Funding - €600,000Direct Athlete Investment Funding - €220,000Women in Sport Funding - €21,000Highlight 2012: DublinBaybecametheepicentreofyouthsailingforsevendaysastheInternationalSailingFederationYouthWorldSailingChampionshipssaw350sailorsfrom63nationstaketoIrishwatersinJulyVision 2020:Sailingwillbeasportaccessibletoallandnolongerbeconsidereda‘minoritysport’inIreland

Irish Surfing Associationwww.isasurf.ie

Core Grant Funding - €70,200Women in Sport Funding - €10,000Highlight 2012: Irelandfinishedinarespectable11thplaceattheinauguralWorldStandUpPaddleChampionshipswhichwereheldinPeruVision 2020:FundingforsportinIrelandwillreflectitsimportantroleinsociety

Irish Squashwww.irishsquash.com

Core Grant Funding - €167,400Women in Sport Funding - €12,000Highlight 2012: ArthurGaskinclaimedthefirstPSAWorldTourtitleofhiscareerwhenhewon theQSFPSAChallenger2012inQatar

Irish Table Tennis Associationwww.irishtabletennis.com

Core Grant Funding - €103,990Direct Athlete Investment Funding - €6,000Women in Sport Funding - €37,000Highlight 2012: IrelandtookGoldintheBoys&GirlseventaswellasIndividualGoldintheGirlseventatthePrimarySchools6NationsInternationalevent;evidencethatITTA’sPlayerPathwayisworkingattheearlystagesofinternationalcompetitionVision 2020:TheITTAofficewillbebasedatafullyownedNationalTableTennisCentrewithplayingspacefor20courts,spectatorfacilities,storagefacilitiesandcateringfacilities–which willactasahubforallnationaleventsandbecapableofhostingEuropeanandWorldevents

Irish Taekwondo Unionwww.taekwondoireland.ie

Core Grant Funding - €10,000Direct Athlete Investment Funding - €28,000Highlight 2012: ThreeIrishTaekwondoUnionathletesreturnedhomefromtheSwedishOpenwithmedals,includingaGoldforAndyPowerintheCadet44kgdivision

Irish Ten Pin Bowling Associationwww.tenpinireland.com

Core Grant Funding – €25,000Highlight 2012: Ireland’sPaulStottJrfollowed uphisfirstEuropeanTourwininBucharesttakingtheMaltaOpenChampionshiptitleVision 2020:Bowlingwillberecognisedasahealthyandcleansportingandrecreationalactivitythatisfamilyoriented,spanningthegenerationsandcatersforable-bodiedandpeoplewithadisabilityalike



Vision 2020BarryO’BrienChiefExecutiveOfficer, NationalSportsCampus DevelopmentAuthority

IrishSporthasfinallygotapermanenthomeinAbbotstown.Inexcessof30sportshaveacontinuouspresenceonCampusandusethefacilitiesonaregularbasis.ThishasallowedtheCampustoprovideanurturingenvironmentforourathletesofallabilities.Over1.5millionpeoplefromthelocalcommunityandbeyondusetheCampusfacilitieseachyear.

By2020afully-functioningNationalSportsCampuswillbeabeaconwithinIreland’snationalsportinginfrastructure.AsanotherOlympic&ParalympicGamesapproach,theCampuswillhaveaccommodatedandsupportedmostofourathletesparticipatinginthoseGamestodothevastmajorityoftheirtrainingathomehereinIreland.

Inaddition,thecommunityuseofmulti-sportpitchesandotherfacilitieshassettheexampleforthesharingofsportsfacilitiesrightaroundthecountry.TheCampusmodelofcombiningpublicaccesswithelitefacilitiesisnowbeingreplicatedonasmallerscalethroughoutthecountry.

ThesuccessoftheNationalIndoorTrainingCentreencouragedtheGovernmenttoaugmenttheexistingsportsfacilitiesattheCampuswiththeNationalCyclingVelodromeduetobecompletedlaterthisyearandanIceRinkforIceHockeyandSkatingetc.whichwillfollowsoon.

Irish Tug-of-War Associationwww.irishtugofwar.com

Core Grant Funding - €22,425Highlight 2012: Ireland’smenclaimedtheWorldOutdoor700kgChampionshipandtheWorldIndoor680kgChampionshipVision 2020:Participationamongstyouthandwomenwillfurtherincrease,aswillmediacoverageofthesportinIreland

Irish Underwater Councilwww.diving.ie

Core Grant Funding - €57,647Highlight 2012: TheIrishUnderwaterCouncillaunchedanewdigitalmediastrategyincludingtheunveilingofabrandnewwebsite,whilememberscannowavailofunderwaterphotographycoursesVision 2020:DivingwillbeattheforefrontofadventuresportsinIreland,settingthestandardforsportleadershipandparticipation

Irish Water Safetywww.iws.ie

Highlight 2012: IrelandwonGoldintheteambeacheventalongwithfourothermedalsattheEuropeanJuniorLifesavingChampionshipsinJönköping,Swedenbreakingsevennationalrecordsalongtheway

Irish Wheelchair Association – Sportwww.iwasport.com

Core Grant Funding - €248,924Direct Athlete Investment Funding - €48,000Highlight 2012: IrishWheelchairAssociationmembersmadeupthenucleusoftheIrishteamfortheLondon2012ParalympicGameswith22representativesonthe49strongteamVision 2020:ProgrammesforpeoplewithaphysicalorsensorydisabilitywillbeincludedintheoperationalplansofallNGBsandallcoachingprogrammesandcourseswillincludemodulesspecifictodisabilitysport

Ladies Gaelic Footballwww.ladiesgaelic.ie

Core Grant Funding - €402,591Highlight 2012: TheGaelic4Mothers&Othersinitiativeintroducednearly1,000mothersandotherwomentoplayingLadiesGaelicFootball inaninnovativeway

Motorcycling Union of Irelandwww.motorcycling-ireland.com

Core Grant Funding - €69,597Highlight 2012: AsixthplacefinishforTeamIrelandattheWorldTourdeNationswasbackedupwithfurtherinternationalsuccessforJackKennedy,WayneKirwan,SeanHenry,CormacConroyandEugeneLavertyVision 2020:MotorcyclingUnionofIrelandcompetitorswillhavecardedhighperformanceriderswhowillcompeteregularlyontheinternationalstage

Motorsport Irelandwww.motorsportireland.com

Core Grant Funding - €152,318Highlight 2012: CraigBreenwontheS2000WorldRallyChampionship,whileKeithCroninclaimedthe2012BritishRallyChampionshipVision 2020:MotorsportIrelandwillhaveitsownmotorsportfacilityandwillhostanannualroundoftheWorldRallyChampionship

Mountaineering Irelandwww.mountaineering.ie

Core Grant Funding - €200,999Women in Sport Funding - €10,000Highlight 2012: IrishclimberDominicBurns wontheEuropeanYouthBoulderingCup andwasrankednumberoneintheworldVision 2020:SportwillbeacoresubjectthroughtoLeavingCertificate,whereparticipantswillbeembeddedinacultureoflifelongparticipationwherebydailysport/recreationactivityisexpectedbysocietyandparticipantstakeresponsibilityforthemselves,andlearnhowtominimisetheirimpactonthenaturalenvironment

National Aero Club of Irelandwww.aeroclub.ie

Highlight 2012: ‘FastAir’,Ireland’srepresentativesattheDubaiInternationalParachutingChampionship,finishedin7thplacein4-wayformationskydivingcompetition

National Target Shooting Associationwww.targetshooting.ie

Direct Athlete Investment Funding - €12,000Highlight 2012:SeánBaldwinbecameIreland’sfirstrepresentativetocompeteinshootingdisciplinesataParalympicGameswhenhe tookpartintheAirRifleandCartridgeRifleatLondon2012

Irish Orienteering Associationwww.orienteering.ie

Core Grant Funding - €46,752Highlight 2012: NickSimonincamein27thintheSprintattheWorldOrienteeringChampionships,whileJonathanQuinnfinishedin15thplaceinM16intheSprintraceatEuropeanYouthOrienteeringChampionshipsVision 2020:TheIrishOrienteeringAssociationwillseenumberstakingpartinorienteeringacrossthecountrygrowby30%

Paralympics Irelandwww.paralympics.ie

High Performance Funding - €660,000Highlight 2012: ItwasthemostsuccessfulParalympicGamesforTeamIrelandwhoreturnedhomewith16medals,8ofwhichweregoldVision 2020: TwiceasmanypeoplepartakeinParalympicSportasdidin2012

Pentathlon Irelandwww.pentathlon.ie

High Performance Funding - €80,000Direct Athlete Investment Funding - €12,000Highlight 2012: IrishpentathletesNatalyaCoyleandArthurLaniganO’KeeffeputinafantasticperformanceattheLondon2012OlympicGamesfinishingin9thand25thplacerespectively.Vision 2020:Withamaximumnumberofathletesqualifiedforthe2020OlympicGames,Irelandwillemergewithtwomedals,whilemembershipwillgrowto5,000andwillbebackedupbyafullystaffedNGBandHighPerformanceUnit,andfulltrainingandcompetitionfacilities

Creating a return on the taxpayers investment 29

Pitch and Putt Union of Irelandwww.ppui.ie

Core Grant Funding - €65,021Highlight 2012: TheIrishteamrepeatedtheirtriumphof2008byretainingtheWorldCuponhomesoil,beatingoffcompetitionfromSwitzerland,HollandandAustraliaenrouteVision 2020:100%growthinPPUImembershipwillbeexperienced,withanevendispersionofmembersthroughoutthecountry,allplayingattopqualityfacilities

Racquetball Association of Irelandwww.racquetball-ireland.com

Core Grant Funding - €15,407Highlight 2012: DonnaRyderfinishedtheseasonasthetoprankedfemaleinEurope,whileNoelO’Callaghenwasnumbertwoonthemen’stour

ROI Snooker & Billiards Associationwww.ribsa.ie

Core Grant Funding - €66,500Highlight 2012: TheIrishMastersteamreachedthesemi-finaloftheEuropeanTeamChampionship,whiletheseniorteamreached thelast16ofthemaincompetition

Rowing Irelandwww.iaru.ie

Core Grant Funding - €218,698High Performance Funding - €490,000Direct Athlete Investment Funding - €120,000Highlight 2012: Ontheinternationalscene,RowingIrelandqualifiedaboatfortheLondon2012OlympicGamesandclaimedasilvermedalattheWorldStudentGames,whiledomesticallysponsorshipforboththeGrandLeague(eFlow)andNationalRowingChampionships(Supervalu)wassecuredVision 2020:Alargernumberofclubswith strongcompetitiveadultrowingwillseeanumberofcrewscompeteatthe2020OlympicGames,withatleasttwoboatsinAfinalsandoneclaimingamedal

Special Olympics Irelandwww.specialolympics.ie

Core Grant Funding - €1,200,000Highlight 2012: SpecialOlympicsIrelandcompletedaprogrammeonHealthPromotionforpeoplewithIntellectualDisabilitieswhichwasusedtopilotandevaluateauser-friendlyHealthPromotionresourcepackwhichcouldbedeliveredincommunitybasedSpecialOlympicsclubsandIntellectualDisabilityServicesVision 2020:Participationofpeoplewithanintellectualdisabilityinsportwillriseto50% fromthecurrentfigureof33%

Swim Irelandwww.swimireland.ie

CCore Grant Funding - €862,555High Performance Funding - €555,000Direct Athlete Investment Funding - €172,000Women in Sport Funding - €50,000Highlight 2012: 17yearoldswimmerSycerikaMcMahontookthesilvermedalinthe50mBreaststrokeattheEuropeanChampionships inHungaryVision 2020:Everychildwillbeabletoswim25metersinaswimmingpooluponleavingprimaryschool,whileacohesivecampaigninvolvingSwimIreland,localauthorities,privateandpublicpoolsandgovernmentwillbeinplaceinplacetoallowformaximumparticipationinswimmingregardlessofarea,backgroundandcost

Tennis Irelandwww.tennisireland.ie

Core Grant Funding - €366,840High Performance Funding - €180,000Direct Athlete Investment Funding - €12,000Highlight 2012: TheIrishLadiesteamsecuredthreewinsinthisyear’sFEDCupinEgypt,beatingMalta,ArmeniaandKenya,whilethemensecuredawinoverEgyptintheDavisCup

Triathlon Irelandwww.triathlonireland.com

Core Grant Funding - €97,500High Performance Funding - €245,000Direct Athlete Investment Funding - €32,000Women in Sport Funding - €15,000Highlight 2012: GavinNoble,thefirstmaletriathletetocompeteforIrelandattheOlympicGames,achievedIreland’sbesteverOlympicresultbyfinishingin23rdplaceVision 2020:25,000membersofTriathlonIrelandwillbeaffiliatedto100clubsandwillparticipatein200TIsanctionedevents.DublinandBelfastwillhostanInternationalTriathlonUnionWorldSeriesEventorEuropeanChampionshipraceeachyear

Volleyball Irelandwww.volleyballireland.com

Core Grant Funding - €189,709Women in Sport Funding - €60,000Highlight 2012: ThecontinuedgrowthofVolleyballatschoollevelhasbeensupportedbythedevelopmentofavolleyballsportseducationmoduleandpackforusebysportsteachersinconjunctionwiththePhysicalEducationAssociationofIrelandVision 2020:SeveralregionalrecreationalandcompetitionareaswillfeedintoVolleyballIrelandNationalLeagues,whilesittingvolleyballwillbepartoftheIrishsportfamily

Weightlifting Irelandwww.weightliftingireland.com

Core Grant Funding - €20,000Highlight 2012: IrishlifterLaurenceMcConnellclaimedgoldmedalsatWorldandEuropeanMastersWeightliftingChampionshipsVision 2020:Weightliftingwillbeamid-rankedsportamongthe60+sportswhichreceiveannualfundingfromtheIrishSportsCouncil

Active Donegalwww.activedonegal.com

Highlight 2012: 1,200participantsfromsixcommunitiestookpartintheInnovativeProgrammeofSportandRecreationdisplayingtheimportantrolesportplaysincommunityinclusionVision 2020:Wewillliveinasocietythatprovidesyoungpeoplewithapositiveexperienceofsport,regardlessofability,andwhereinclusionisthenormandcompetitionisrelevantandageproportionate

Cavan Local Sports Partnershipwww.cavansportspartnership.ie

Highlight 2012: Theimportanceofhealthyandbalancedlifestylewaspromotedto176peopleaspartofFitwise,an8weekphysicalactivityandhealthyeatingprogrammeVision 2020:Cavanwillbeacountywheresportisnotonlycompetitiveandvisiblebutaccessibletoallpeople

Clare Sports Partnershipwww.claresportspartnership.ie

Highlight 2012: CyclingisontheupinthehomeoftheTourdeBurrenwithtwelveclubsnowregisteredinthecounty,whileunderagebasketballisexperiencingsimilargrowthwithninenewclubsVision 2020:Multi-sportcomplexeswillbein useforthebenefitofallcommunities

Cork Sports Partnershipwww.corksports.ie

Highlight 2012: Over400participantstooktotheroadsandstreetsofCorkinJuneofthisyearfortheannualNationalBikeWeek,withover10eventstakingplacethroughoutCorkCityandCounty

County Carlow Local Sports Partnershipwww.carlowsports.ie

Highlight 2012: Over400peopletooktotheCarlow-GraiguecullenSlinaSlánte5KwalkingrouteaspartoftheOperationTransformationwalk

County Limerick Local Sports Partnershipwww.cllsp.ie

Highlight 2012: ThroughtargetedprogrammesCountyLimerickLocalSportsPartnershiphaddirectcontactwith5,693participantsfromkeytargetgroups;disadvantagedyouth,olderadults,travellers,youngpeople,teenagegirlsandmothersVision 2020: ThepresenceofaSportsDevelopmentOfficeronthegroundwillpromotephysicalactivityandprovideinformationondietandnutrition

Dublin City Sports Networkwww.dublincity.ie

Highlight 2012: 16,000peopleofallagesandabilitieshavetakenpartinSport&PhysicalActivityprogrammesrunthroughoutDublinCitybySport&RecreationOfficersin2012Vision 2020: DublinCitywillhaveadedicatedsportshubwhichwillencompassgreenspaceandindoorfacilitiestorunsportsevents,launchesandsportpromotion,whilecleanerwaterwayswillencouragemorepeopletousetheRiverLiffeyandCanalsforwatersport

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Sports Partnershipwww.dlrsportspartnership.ie

Highlight 2012: TheDúnLaoghaire-RathdownCommunity5KheldinKilboggetparkattracted420peopleofallagesandabilitiesfromtheallpartsofthecounty

Fingal Sports Officewww.fingalsports.ie

Highlight 2012: TheFingalFutureOlympiansPrimarySchoolcompetitionsawinexcessof1,000childrenparticipateinsixdifferentsports,culminatinginafinalsdaywhere300childrenbattleditouttobecrownedFingal’sFutureOlympiansVision 2020:ResourceswillbeincreasedincludingtheintroductionofaSportsInclusionandDevelopmentOfficer,whileatgovernmentlevel,sportwillhavethesamerecognitionashealthontheagenda


Kerry Recreation and Sports Partnershipwww.kerrylsp.ie

Highlight 2012: TheLet’sGetKerryWalkingCampaignandIrishHeartFoundationCommunityWalkingLeadertrainingempoweredpeopleinlocalcommunitiestoleadoutwalksandaidedmorepeopletogetwalkingmoreoftenVision 2020:TherewillbegreatercollaborationbetweenNationalGoverningBodiesofSportandtheLocalSportsPartnershipnetwork,particularlyin the area of participation

Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnershipwww.kilkenny.ie

Highlight 2012: TheKilkennyWalkingFestivalincludedaprogrammeofover50eventsforfamilies,walkersandholidaymakers.ThefestivalwasacollaborationbetweenTrailKilkenny,theKilkennyRecreationandSportsPartnership

Kildare Sports Partnershipwww.kildare.ie

Highlight 2012: Thelaunchofanewstrategicplanwhichwillco-ordinateandpromoteparticipationinsportandphysicalactivityinKildareoverthenextfiveyears

Laois Sports Partnershipwww.laoissports.ie

Highlight 2012: LaoisSportsPartnershipledbyexamplein2012bybeingnamed‘BestSmallOrganisation’intheIrishSportsCouncilChallengeandusedthewinasleveragetoencourageotherLaoisbusinessestofollowsuitandgetactiveVision 2020:Infrastructureinthelocaltownsandvillageswillbeimprovedtoencouragemorecyclistsandwalkerstobecomemoreactiveonadailybasis

Leitrim Sportswww.leitrimsports.ie

Highlight 2012: 770runnersparticipatedintheCarrick10k,whichtookplacearoundthebeautifulscenicrouteofCarrick-on-ShannonVision 2020:TherewillbeavastimprovementinthesportingfacilitiesinLeitrim,whereclubswillhaveapermanenthomewhichwillensurelongtermsustainability

Limerick City Local Sports Partnershipwww.limerickcitysports.ie

Highlight 2012: LimerickCitySportsPartnership’syouthprogrammesreachedover3,000childrenbetweenin-schoolandafterschoolprogrammesVision 2020:LocalSportsPartnershipswillcontinuetoconnectwithpeopleatalocalleveltocreateahealthiermoreactivecommunity

Louth Local Sports Partnershipwww.louthlsp.ie

Highlight 2012: Over2,200peoplegotontheirbikeinCountyLouthaspartofBikeWeek2012,includingover500childrenwhotookpartinschoolsevents

Mayo Sports Partnershipwww.mayosports.ie

Highlight 2012: ThemonthlongMayoinMotioninitiativepromotedwalkingandcyclingasameansofphysicalrecreationwhichcanbeenjoyedbyanybodythrough30communitywalks,16cyclingevents,walkingfestivalsandNordicwalkingdemonstrations

Meath Local Sports Partnershipswww.meathsports.ie

Highlight 2012: TheexpansionoftheGamesforLifeandMatureMoversprogrammessaw1664olderadultstakepartinphysicalactivityonaweeklybasisVision 2020: Sharedresources;integratedtimetables;agreedpoliciesandastructuredapproachbygovernmentagenciesandNGBswillformaco-ordinatedapproachtothedevelopmentofsport

Monaghan Local Sports Partnershipwww.monaghansports.ie

Highlight 2012: 850peoplewereencouragedtogetoutandgetactiveaspartofMonaghanWalkingWeekend2012Vision 2020:MonaghanLocalSportsPartnershipwillsupportminoritysportsclubsandworkwithNGBstodelivermoreeducationandtrainingopportunitiesforcoachesandvolunteersthroughoutthecounty

North Tipperary Sports Partnershipwww.ntsp.ie

Highlight 2012: ThurleswasdesignatedEuropeanTownofSportfor2012,makingitthefirsttowninIrelandtoachievethisstatus.Ahostofsportingeventstookplaceincluding:ThurlesSarsfieldsInternationalHurlingFestival,EuropeanAthleticsJamboree,SchoolsActiv8Programme,Girls‘nGolfProgramme&ThurlesTower10kVision 2020: Primaryschoolswillbeinapositiontoofferawideselectionofsportstochildrenwithouthavingtoworryaboutthecostorfundingasthesportingexperienceachildhasinprimaryschoolisfundamentaltotheirinterestandparticipationinsportinlaterlife

Offaly Sports Partnershipwww.offalysports.ie

Highlight 2012: TheOffalySportsPartnershipinconjunctionwithOffalyCountyCouncil,theHSE,AnTaisceandBordnaMonapromotedarangeofcyclingeventsaspartofBikeWeek2012where350peopleofallagestookpartVision 2020:Allchildrenwillbeaffordedtheopportunitytolearntoswimtwolengthsofa25meterpoolbefore,learnbasicgymnasticsandthefundamentalsofathleticsbeforeleavingprimaryschool

Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnershipwww.sligosportandrecreation.ie

Highlight 2012: 2,110cyclistsagedbetween9and70years+gotontheirbikesandtookpartinthe2012AnPostTourofSligoVision 2020:Physicalactivitywillbefirmlyestablishedasakeyopportunityinthepromotionofhealthandwellbeingandinminimisingillness,withLSPandLocalPrimaryCareCentresworkingin partnership

South Dublin County Local Sports Partnershipwww.sdcsp.ie

Highlight 2012: 600peopletookpartinthreeRambleAid5KeventsinlocalparksinSouthDublinCountytoraisevitalfundsforthepurchaseofdefibrillatorsforlocalclubsVision 2020:Therewillbemorefreedomtotakeonstafftoproperlyaddresscertainareasincludingtheunemployedsector,physicalactivityprogrammesinCommunityCentres,communicationsandevents

South Tipperary Sports Partnershipwww.stsp.ie

Highlight 2012: IrishcyclingchampionsMattBrammierjoinedover250primaryschoolchildrenonaCyclingSkillsDayaspartofBikeWeek2012–overall1,000participatedintheSaferCyclingprogrammeinsouthTipperaryVision 2020:Safe,accessiblewalkingandcyclingrouteswillbefurtherdeveloped,alongwithmorewaterbasedactivitiesontheRiverSuir

Waterford Sports Partnershipwww.waterfordsportspartnership.ie

Highlight 2012: TheWaterfordWomenonWheelsProgrammegaveover80womenachancetotakepartinworkshopsincludingbikemaintenance,bikeskills,nutritionandsixweeklytrainingspinsculminatinginthe50kmKellyCruiseVision 2020:Sportwillbeconsideredbyallto beaprotectedareaandprominencegivento itsimpactonhealthandwellbeing

Westmeath Sports Partnershipwww.westmeathsports.ie

Highlight 2012: TheNationalCriteriumChampionshipsformedpartof‘DestinationSportMullingar’,aneventwhichshowcasedover25sportsoverafourdayperiodVision 2020:Sportwillbeseamlesswithastrongparticipantcentredethosfromschools,NGBsandLSPs,andlocalauthoritieswiththerightinfrastructureinplacetomakesportandphysicalactivitytheeasyoptionaswellastherightoption

Sports Active Wexford www.wexford.ie

Highlight 2012: ThepromotionofthenaturalenvironmentwithafocusonsportstourismandthedevelopmentofWalkingProgrammesandtrailshaveseenanincreaseinthenumberofregisteredwalkinggroupsinWexfordVision 2020:TherewillbecloserrelationshipswithNGB’seliteathletesandajoinedupthinkingacrossIrelandontheimportanceofthelegacy ofsportandphysicalactivity

Wicklow Local Sports Partnershipwww.wicklowlsp.ie

Highlight 2012: WicklowLocalSportsPartnershipregeneratedafteraperiodofinactivityandiscontinuingitsroleofencouragingandfacilitatingparticipationandphysicalactivityinthewidercommunityVision 2020: Wicklowwillfacilitateahighvolumeofannualmassparticipationeventsthatwillattracthighattendanceandmediaattentionnationwide

Creating a Return on the Taxpayers Investment 31

Vision 2020Howdowegetthere?

If we are to realise our vision of sport improving Irish society and playing a much richer part in Irish people’s lives then the kind of bricks that will be needed to build the foundation for that future must include:

• Sport recognised by all Government Departments as a cornerstone for the improvementIrishSociety

• Developmentofa Masterplan for Irish Sporttyinginallareasofgovernmentthatimpactonsportincludinghealth,finance,environment,planning,transport,educationandtourism

• No further reductions in government funding to Irish Sportinparticular,thecurrentfundingasdistributedthroughtheIrishSportsCouncil

• Co-operation between all government departmentsthathave aroleinsport

• Completion of the National Sports CampusatBlanchardstownandthedevelopmentofregionalmulti-sportfacilities

• Alltaxpayersmoniesspentbyotherareasofgovernmentbutimpacting on sport is done in consultation and partnership with sport

• Physical Education at the heart of educationofallIreland’schildren fromjuniorinfantstoLeavingCertificate

• Consultationwithsporttoensure the strategic use of moniesavailablethroughtheSportsCapitalProgramme

• Multi-Annual Fundingtofacilitatestrategicplanningandimproved valueformoney

• Identificationofsustainable government funding stream, forsportsuchasdedicatedlotteryfunding,bettingtaxetc.

• VAT to be recoverablebySportingBodies

• Establishmentofadedicated sports bidding entity

• Regulartop quality quantitative and qualitative researchinformingsportspolicy

• IntroductionofincentivesfortheprivatesectortosupportIrishsporttoincludethegranting of ‘charitable status’foramateursport

• World Class professionalsworking in Irish Sport

• Effective social marketingtoensureincreased awareness of the need to meettheminimumrecommendedphysicalactivitylevels

• Co-operation and collaboration betweenallthoseinvolvedinIrishSport

• Increasedrecognition of womens’ sporting achievementsbymedia and sponsors

• Adaptlearningsfromgoodworkindisabilitysporttoothermarginalisedcommunitiestoensurea more inclusive sporting community.

What a two weeks you gave us. Pride. Class. Inspiration. Joy. But in the end, the medals, the world records, the personal bests, are just one part of what it is to put on the Green and go and represent our country, our nation, with all our hopes, our dreams, our aspirations.

An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, T.D., speaking at the government reception in recognition of the Irish Paralympic Team’s achievements at the London 2012 Games.

32 Vision 2020

Federation of Irish Sport Executive Committee

Chairman: FergusMurphy

Secretary: Sarah Keane

Treasurer: BrendanWaters

SarahO’Shea

HarryHermon

WarrenDeutrom

CiaranGallagher

CillianSmith

ThosMcDermott

LiamHarbison

IarlaHughes

FrancesKavanagh

Staff: SarahO’Connor,ChiefExecutiveOfficer

ConnMcCluskey,SupportServicesOfficer

DavidGash,CommunicationsExecutive

www.irishsport.ie

Federation of Irish SportSport HQ13 Joyce WayPark West Business ParkDublin 12, Ireland

T +353 1 625 1155 F +353 1 625 1198E [email protected]

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