Sport Northern Ireland · accelerant of participation will be the London 2012 Olympic and...

Sport Northern Ireland

The lead agency for developing sport in Northern Ireland

Annual Review 2008-09

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This document is available in other accessible formats on request. If you wish to receive the Annual Accounts of Sport Northern Ireland, please contact the Director of Corporate Services.

Sport Northern Ireland

House of Sport

2a Upper Malone Road

Belfast BT9 5LA

Telephone: 028 9038 1222

Facsimile: 028 9068 2757

Minicom: 028 9068 2593

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.sportni.net

Contents

Foreword 4

Statement 5

Participation and Facilities 7 Participation• CommunitySport 8 • SportinOurCommunity 8 • CommunitySportProgramme 9 • ImplementingDisabilityMainstreamingPolicy 9 • InclusiveCommunityCoachesProgramme 10 • PhysicalLiteracyResearchProject 10 • ActiveCommunities 11 • AwardsforAll 11 • CountrysideRecreation 12• TollymoreMountainCentre 14

Facilities• BuildingSport 15• PlacesforSport 16• StadiaSafety 17• Facilities 19• EliteFacilitiesProgramme 21

Performance Sport 23• BeijingOlympicandParalympicGames 24• MedalAchievements 27• SportsInstituteNorthernIreland 29• GoverningBodyInvestment 31• TalentIdentificationandDevelopment 32• Coaching 33• PractitionerDevelopmentProgramme 34• Anti-Doping 34• AthleteSupportProgramme 35• YouthGames 36• UKSchoolGames 36• EventsProgramme 37

Sporting Events 39• BetweentheBridges 40• BelfastCityMarathon 40• SixNationsGrandSlam 41• ICCWorldTwenty20Qualifier 41• MilkCup 42• Runher 42

Corporate Services 44• HumanResources 45• Policy,PlanningandResearch 46

Facts and Figures 48

Who’s Who in Sport Northern Ireland 50• BoardMembers 50• KeyStaff 50

ForewordDominic Walsh Chair Sport Northern Ireland

4Foreword

Sport Northern Ireland Annual Review 2008-09

Thisannualreviewistestament,notonlytotheprogress

achievedbySportNorthernIrelandstaffbut,tothestrength

ofthepartnershipswhichhavebeenbuiltovertheyears.The

successeshighlightedinthisdocumenttellthestoryofwhat

thesepartnershipsareachieving.

AsyouknowSportNorthernIrelandisdedicatedto

developingpeopleinsport,especiallyyoungpeople,and

providingfacilitiesforpeopleofeveryagegroupand

abilitytobeabletoparticipate,enjoyandperformsport

andphysicalactivity.Wewanteveryonetobenefitfrom

theenjoymentandindividualsenseofachievementthat

participatinginsportbrings,andfromtheexcitementand

pridegeneratedbystrongperformances.

Sportisoftenjustifiedbyitscontributiontootherareasof

NorthernIrelandlife,suchashealth,socialandeconomic

development,education,andcommunitydevelopment.

Whilethesebenefitsareextremelyvalued,theyarenot

thereasonthatwegetpassionateaboutsport.AtSport

NorthernIrelandwebelieveintheenjoymentandsenseof

achievementthatsportingparticipationcanbringtoanyone,

regardlessofage,income,backgroundorlevelofability.

Finally,Iwouldliketothankallinvolvedintheongoing

delivery of sport in Northern Ireland – the volunteers,

coaches,officials,administrators,athletesandparticipants–

fortheircontinuedenthusiasmanddedication.Collectively

wewillcontinuetopromotesport,encourageeveryoneto

getinvolvedandensurethatsportremainsanintegralpartof

life in Northern Ireland.

SportNorthernIreland’sroleinhelpingtosecurethestaging

oflocal,nationalandinternationaleventsintheUKhasnever

beenmoreevidentthanin2008-09witheventssuchasthe

BetweentheBridgesCharityRun,theICCWorldTwenty20

Qualifier,theBritishandWorldBlindGolfChampionships,

andtheWorldOneArmedGolfChampionshipsbeingheld

inNorthernIreland.Sportingeventsprovideanexcellent

platformtoinspireyoungpeopletoparticipateinsport,for

talentedathletestoraisetheirgame,andinstillafeelingof

possibilityamongindividuals,teamsandsociety.Onasmaller

scale,communityeventscanexciteandencouragepeopleto

adoptcommunityspirit,givingpeopleafocus.

Iwanttotakethisopportunitytopaytributetomy

colleaguesontheBoardwhohavegiventheirtimeand

considerableexpertisesoreadilyonbehalfofsportin

NorthernIreland.IalsowishtothanktheChiefExecutive

EamonnMcCartan,andstaffatSportNorthernIreland,

whosecommitment,dedicationandconsiderableabilityled

totheachievementoftheourgoalsin2008-09.

Iamdelightedtointroducethe2008-09SportNorthernIrelandAnnualReview.Whatajourneythepast12monthshavebeen.Iamextremelyproudtobeabletopresenttheworkofthisorganisationtoyouandreflect,notjustonthesuccessof2008-09but,ontheupcomingchallengesandopportunitieswefacein2009-10.

Eamonn McCartan ChiefExecutive Sport Northern Ireland

5 Statement


Itsvisionof“acultureoflifelongenjoymentandsuccessin

sport”itselfencapsulateswhatweareaimingtoachieve;

ensuringpeoplehaveaccesstolocallyavailablesporting

facilities,encouraginghighqualityparticipationinsportfrom

childhoodrightthroughtoadulthood,andenablingtalented

athletestocompeteandwinatthehighestlevelsintheir

sports.

TherearethreekeyelementstothisStrategy…

FirstlyParticipation

OneofthefundamentalprinciplesofSportNorthernIreland

istoincreaseparticipationinsport.Andanimportant

accelerantofparticipationwillbetheLondon2012Olympic

andParalympicGames.Thereforethe“participationlegacy”

fromthe2012Gamesisofcrucialimportance.Wemust

utilisetheenthusiasmforsportthatwillgrowinthebuildup

to2012,andconvertitintolong-termparticipationbyboth

youngpeopleandadultsbeyond2012.

ThesecondkeyelementoftheStrategyisPerformance Sport

NorthernIrelandhassportingtalentthatisequaltoanywhere

elseintheworld.FurthermorethepeopleofNorthernIreland

value success at international level and this is clearly evident

inthepridewehaveinJasonSmyth,MichaelMcKillop,

PaddyBarnesandWendyHovenaghel–ourOlympicand

Paralympicsheroes.Watchingtheperformanceofour

athletesinBeijingearlierthisyearwasevidenceofthetrue

valueofsport.Forthoseofuswithaday-to-dayinvolvement

insport,occasionssuchasthisdrivehomethetrulyunique

importanceandsignificanceofsport.

Howeverifwearetocontinuetosucceedweneedtoputin

placetherightsportingsystems.Inshortwemustcreatean

environmentwhereourathletescansucceed.Itisherethat

theSportsInstituteNorthernIreland(SINI)willcomeintoplay,

delivering,inpartnershipwithSportNorthernIreland,specific

developmentprogrammesforathletesandcoaches,building

skillsandcuttingedgepracticetoenabletheathletesand

coachestobecomeworld-class.

WiththeconclusionofBeijing,thespotlighthasnowmoved

ontotheLondon2012OlympicandParalympicGames.

Thebarcontinuestoberaised,bothintermsofthephysical

stagingoftheGamesandtheperformanceoftheNorthern

Irelandathletes.London2012promisestobeanincredible

inspiration,notonlytoathletes,buttothecoaches,officials

andvolunteersfromNorthernIrelandwhowillbeinvolved

whenLondonhoststhegreatestshowonearth.

ThethirdandfinalkeyelementoftheStrategyisPlaces

-undoubtedlyfitforpurposefacilitiesareintegralfor

participantsatalllevels.Quality,accessiblefacilitiesare

essentialinencouragingpeopleofallagesandabilitiesto

takepartinregularphysicalactivityandsport.SportNorthern

Irelandiscommittedtoimprovingandcreatingnewfacilities

which will help support increased participation and to

developsportingtalent.

Mythanksgotoallthoseorganisationsandindividuals

whohaveworkedwithSportNorthernIrelandtofurther

thedevelopmentofsportinNorthernIreland.Onbehalf

ofSportNorthernIrelandIlookforwardtoyourcontinued

co-operationandsupport.

SportNorthernIrelandhasbeenworkinginpartnershipwiththeDepartmentofCulture,ArtsandLeisure(DCAL)todevelopanewten-yearStrategyforSportandPhysicalRecreationinNorthernIreland–‘SportMatters’.IammotivatedbythisStrategy;itisanambitiousdocumentwhichsetsoutthecaseforongoingandincreasedinvestmentinsportandphysicalrecreationtodeliverarangeofsporting,educationandhealthoutcomesovertheperiod2009-2019.

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7

Participation and Facilities

There are many benefits to be accrued from participating in sport and physical recreation, particularly health. Sport contributes to tackling health issues such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and mental health issues. It also enables both physical and psychological development while providing a vehicle for enjoyment and fun, but also ensuring people have access to locally available sporting facilities.

Sport Northern Ireland’s Participation and Facilities Unit support sporting opportunities to

increase participation levels in sport and physical recreation among people – of all ages and

abilities, and to promote lifelong physical activity. This relies on a range of developments

and interventions; places for sport, coaches, governing bodies, volunteers, events, quality

programmes based on best practice, and marketing and promotion. Sport Northern Ireland is

working on many fronts to deliver improvements across all these areas in Northern Ireland.

Community Sport 8


Sport in Our Community SportinOurCommunityisafouryearprogramme,investing£3.6mfromtheSportsLotteryFund

into34innovativeandcreativeprojectswhichaimtomeetatleastoneofthethreecross-cutting

programmethemes:

1. Developmentandimprovementofphysicalliteracy;

2. Developmentofopportunitiesforpeoplewithdisabilities;and/or

3. Creationofsportorphysicalactivityinareasofhighsocialneedforthosewhohavenot

previously had a sustained interest in sport or physical activity.

Atotalof386,914participantswererecordedinEndofYearReportssubmittedbytheprojects

to31March2009,representinganincreaseof52%onfiguresreportedattheendoftheYear

2.Keyhighlightsincluded:anincreaseof15,352womenandgirlparticipantsrepresenting42%

ofthetotalparticipants;anincreaseof26,588youngparticipantsrepresenting37%onfigures

reportedinYear2,andanincreaseof2,132olderparticipantsrepresenting123%onfigures

reportedinYear2.

DuringYear3participationbydisabledpeopleincreasedby49%to1,897individuals.Projects

reporteddevelopingpartnershipswitharangeofcommunityandsportingorganisations,andin

particularwithDisabilitySportsNorthernIreland(DSNI)todevelopfurthertheopportunitiesfor

peoplewithadisability.

Anincreaseof590participantsfromminorityethniccommunitieswasreported,representing

90%onfiguresreportedinYear2.Inadditionspecificprogrammesweredeliveredtotarget

minorityethniccommunities.

Thenumberofindividualhealthreferralstoprojectsincreasedby30%to366duringthe

reportingyear.Anumberofprojectsreportedprogrammestargetingpublichealth,specifically

obesity,withtheaimofeducatingfamiliesofthebenefitsofphysicalactivityandhealthy

lifestyles.

ThreePhysicalLiteracyCo-ordinators(basedwithintheNEELB,SEELBandSELB)supported

teachersthroughincreasingtheirconfidenceandabilitytodeliverphysicaleducationto6,405

youngpeopleinprimaryschools.

Community Sport 9


Community Sport Programme Thisthreeyearinvestmentof£2.4min20organisationswas

completedinJune2008.AprogrammeImpactReviewwas

publishedinDecember2008whichhighlightedthesuccess

oftheprogrammeinincreasingparticipationinsportand

physicalrecreationandspecificallyamongunder-represented

groups.Atotalof15,166individualsparticipatedduringthe

finalyear–anincreaseof26%onYear1.Overall,female

participationrosefrom35%to44%oftotalparticipants

duringthethreeyears.Projectsreportedanincreaseof

24%inthenumberofparticipantsfromethnicminority

communities–includingtheChinese,IndianandIrish

Travellercommunity.

Implementing Disability Mainstreaming PolicySportNorthernIrelandinvestedover£150KinDSNIto

supporttheimplementationofitspolicy.Over1200people

participatedinsportandphysicalactivityeventsorganisedby

DSNI,with97%ofthesebeingdisabledparticipants.

DisabilityAwarenessTrainingwasdeliveredtoSportNorthern

IrelandandSINIstaff;‘IncludingPeoplewithDisabilitiesin

yourClub’wasdeliveredforSwimUlster(12participants),

AthleticsNI(21participants),andBasketballNI(10

participants).

Threeexploratorymeetingswereheldwithrepresentatives

oftheRoyalNationalInstituteofBlindPeople(RNIB)during

theyeartodiscussajointapproachtoimprovingthesports

opportunitiesavailabletoblindandpartiallysightedpeople.

AsaresultanagreementhasbeenreachedthatDSNIand

RNIBwillworkjointlyonthedevelopmentofa‘Blindand

PartiallySighted’specificprogrammeintheearlypartof

thenewfinancialyear.Itisanticipatedthatthisprocesswill

beginwiththejointestablishmentofablindsportssteering/

advisorygroup,whoseremitwillbetoidentifyandagreea

three-fouryearactionplanforblindsportinNorthernIreland.

RNIBhasagreedthatDSNIshouldleadonthisissueand

thattheagreedapproachbeincorporatedintoDSNI’snew

DevelopmentPlan.

Inaddition,followingdiscussions,theUlsterDeafSports

CouncilhavenowpreparedadraftDevelopmentPlan,which

willformthebasisofafuturefundingapplicationconcerned

withtheemploymentofaSportsDevelopmentOfficer.

Sevencommunityeventsinvolving822participantswere

successfullyorganisedduringtheyear.A‘ComeandTryIt’

dayforpeoplewithdisabilitieswasorganisedattheOzone

Complex,Belfast,inpartnershipwithBelfastCommunity

SportsDevelopmentNetworkandRNIB.Attendeeswere

giventheopportunitytotryoutdifferentsportsincluding

Badminton,Boccia,Football,Goalball,HandCycling,New

AgeKurling,TandemCycling,WheelchairBasketballand

WheelchairTennis;62peopleattendedthroughouttheday.


Community Sport 10

Inclusive Community Coaches Programme FifteenrecruitsfromthesportingcommunityacrossNorthern

IrelandhavecompletedtrainingasInclusiveCommunity

Coaches.ThetrainingprojectestablishedbyDSNI,supported

bySportNorthernIrelandandfundedbyBigLottery,was

setuptoincreasethenumberoforganisedparticipation

opportunitiesavailabletopeoplewithdisabilitiesinlocal

communitiesthroughoutNorthernIreland.Asaresult

ofthisinnovativeproject,thesportingneedsofpeople

withadisabilitywillbebetteraddressedbyensuringthat

participation opportunities are provided in an inclusive

environment–asportingenvironmentthatfocuseson

enablingtheparticipantratherthanonewhichfocuseson

theindividual’s‘disability’.

Theapplicantscovered‘InclusiveGamesTraining’,‘Games

forAllLeadership’,‘DisabilityAwareness’,‘CoachingSport

Safely’,‘SportsInjuriesFirstAid’,and‘ChildProtection’.

TheInclusiveCommunityCoachesnowhavetheskillsand

knowledgerequiredtorunarangeofinclusivesports,

gamesandmulti-skillssessionsforchildrenandadultswith

disabilities.During2008-09thecoachesdelivered197hours

ofcoachinginvariousactivitiesincludingAdaptedTableTop

Games,Boccia,Goalball,NewAgeKurling,andZoneHockey.

Physical Literacy Research ProjectAnumberofessentialphasesattheearlystagesofachild’s

experienceofphysicalactivityprovidethefoundationofthe

LifelongInvolvementinSportandPhysicalActivity(LISPA)

model.Thesethreephases-ActiveStart,Fundamentals,

andLearningtoPlayandPractice-collectivelyprovide

opportunitiesforthedevelopmentofphysicalliteracy.

ArangeofSportNorthernIrelandinvestmentinitiatives

havethereforeprioritisedprojectsaimedatpromotingthe

developmentofphysicalliteracy.

Theimpactandeffectivenessoftheseprojectsshouldbe

measurablesothatSportNorthernIrelandhasempirical

evidencetodemonstratethevalueofpublicinvestment

inthisareaofworkinordertojustifyandattractfurther

interestandinvestmentinphysicalliteracy.Anauthoritative

andeffectiveassessmentmethodforphysicalliteracywould

permittheefficacyofsuchprogrammestobemeasuredand

assistinSportNorthernIrelandfulfillingitsadvocacyrole.

AResearchPartnershipTeamconsistingoftheUniversityof

Ulster,JordanstownandStranmillisUniversityCollege,Belfast,

wasthereforecommissionedtoreviewtheimpactofthe

effectivenessofstructuredphysicalliteracyprogrammesand

todevelopanappropriateassessmenttoolofphysicalliteracy.

Theresearchfindingsandrecommendationswillbeusedby

SportNorthernIrelandtoinformfuturepolicywithinthearea

ofphysicalliteracy.SportNorthernIrelandalsointendstomake

theresearchfindingsavailabletorelevantagenciesinNorthern

Irelandandbeyond.Itisanticipatedthatarangeofkeypartners

withintheeducationsystemandcoachingnetworkswillbe

involvedinthedisseminationprocess.

Community Sport 11


Active Communities LaunchedinOctober2008,ActiveCommunitiesisan

investmentprogrammethatseekstoemploy,deployand

trainanetworkoffull-timeandpart-timesportscoaches

andleaderstodeliveractivitiesthroughoutNorthernIreland,

withaviewofincreasingparticipationinsportandphysical

recreation,especiallyamongunder-representedgroups.

Overthenextfiveyearsandwithanestimatedinvestmentof

£14.7million,ActiveCommunitieswillprovideinvestment

into11consortiaofdistrictcouncilsbasedonModel11b

oftheReviewofPublicAdministrationConsultation(March

2005).Workinginpartnershipwiththeconsortia,Sport

NorthernIrelandiscurrentlyplayinganactiveroleinthe

creationofimplementationplanswithineachofthe11

consortiumareas,andissupportingthedevelopmentof

effectivepartnershipsbetweendistrictcouncilsandtheother

keystakeholdersinvolvedinsupportingthedevelopmentof

sport in Northern Ireland.

ActiveCommunitieswillsupportthecreationof100full-time

equivalentpoststhatwillprovideopportunitiesfor100,000

people to participate in sport and physical recreation.

Awards for AllDuring2008-09,SportNorthernIrelandinvestedatotalof

£478,531in71successfulprojectsthroughAwardsforAll.

Eachoftheseprojectshavesupportedincreasedparticipation

and/orimprovedperformancesinsportinNorthernIreland.

AtbothUKandNorthernIrelandlevels,theAwardsfor

AllProgrammehasalsoundergoneaseriesofchanges

throughouttheyear.Buildingonthelearningfromthe

programme,thefourlotterydistributorsinvolvedinAwards

forAllinNorthernIrelandwilllaunchtheirowntailoredsmall

grantprogrammesin2009.

Accordingly,SportNorthernIrelandwilllaunchanewsmall

grantsprogrammethatwillsupportorganisationsand

projectsthatcancontributetowardsthetargetsidentified

intheten-yearStrategyforSportandPhysicalRecreationin

NorthernIreland-‘SportMatters’.

Countryside RecreationSportNorthernIreland’sinvestmentinCountrysideAccessandActivitiesNetwork(CAAN)andthe

governingbodiesforoutdooradventuresportshasresultedinsomeremarkablesuccessesin2008-09…

Alongwithcreatingfacilitiesandopportunitiesforoutdoorrecreation,CAANisalsotaskedwithcarrying

outresearchonbehalfoftheirsponsoringdepartments.Asignificantpieceofresearchthisyearwas

investigatingthetrendsinoutdoorrecreationfrom1995–2008.Thiscovered23separateoutdoor

recreationsportsandwasdirectlycomparabletoasimilarpieceofworkcarriedoutin1995.

Intheensuing13yearsthenumberofvenuesusedbynearlyallsportsforoutdoorrecreationhas

increasedby340%andtheparticipation

levelforthesesportshasincreasedby

152%.Theresearchalsohighlighted

thatparticipationbyunder-represented

groupsincludingwomen,thosewith

disabilitiesandthosefromethnic

minoritygroupswaslow.

NorthernIrelandOrienteeringwas

highlightedwithinthereportasone

ofthegoverningbodiesthathasbeen

workingtocreateopportunitiesfor

disabledpeoplethrough“TrailO”–

whichisafullyaccessibleorienteering

course.NorthernIrelandOrienteering

hasalsohadextensivelinkswithschools

asorienteeringisauniquesportin

thatitlinkscloselywiththemaths

andgeographycurriculumareas.Over

960childrentookpartinschools’

orienteeringcompetitionsduring

the year.


Community Sport 12

Community Sport 13


MountaineeringIrelandhasalsohadanextremelysuccessfulyearwithtwonewclubsestablishedinFermanaghand

Millisle–basedatclimbingwalls.AnewschoolsprogrammebasedattheOzoneclimbingwallhasgiven40young

peopleregularclimbingopportunitiesandprovidedadirectlinktotheclubattheOzone.MountaineeringIrelandhas

alsorunatalentidentificationprogrammewithinputandsupportfromSportNorthernIreland,andhavesetupanew

developmentstructurefortheirjuniorsquadasaresultofthisprogramme.

AlthoughmuchoftheCanoeAssociation’semphasisisonincreasingparticipationinthesport,inwhichitworksclosely

withCAAN,theyhavehadtremendoussuccessthroughouttheyearontheperformanceside.Thesurfsquadcontinued

itssuccesseswithexcellentresultsattheBritishOpenwhichwashostedatPortrush,andthesquadislookingforward

tothe2009WorldChampionships–wherethejuniorshopetoretaintheirtitlesas1st,2ndand3rdintheWorld!


Tollymore Mountain Centre 14

TollymoreMountainCentre(TMC),SportNorthern

Ireland’sNationalOutdoorTrainingCentre,has

continuedtoprovideawiderangeofintroductory,

skillsandleadershiptrainingandassessmentcoursesin

mountaineeringandcanoesport;aswellasawiderange

ofmulti-activityandteamdevelopmentprogrammesfor

organisations.

In2008-09,TMCprovided4986studentdaysonarange

ofcourses,including646onleadershipcoursesand1243

onskillscourses.TMCcontinuestoinfluenceandbe

involvedinthedevelopmentofarangeofgoverningbody

qualificationsinmountaineeringandcanoesport,and

playsakeyroleinthedevelopmentandintroductionof

UKCoachingCertificatecanoesportqualificationsanda

ClimbingWallAwardscheme.

Withasignificantbudgetof£5millionTMC’sexciting

redevelopmentofthecentreisprogressing;in2008,

GlasgivenContractswereappointedastheconstruction

teamandworkontheredevelopmentofthecentre

commencedinFebruary2009.

Theanticipatednewcentre,whichisduetoopenin2010,

willbea‘stateoftheart’nationalfacility,withtheability

toprovideanextensiverangeofcoursestoawiderrange

ofgroupsandindividualsfromthroughoutNorthern

Ireland.

Toviewtherangeofcoursesavailableandkeepup-to-

datewiththenewbuildlogontowww.tollymore.com


Building Sport15

‘BuildingSport’,acapitalprogrammefromSportNorthern

Ireland’sLotteryFund,aimstoprovidepartnershipfunding

formajorcapitalprojectsthatwillincreaseaccessto

opportunitiesforsportingdevelopmentandparticipation

forasmanypeopleaspossible;particularlyindisadvantaged

communitiestoenableolderpeople,peoplewithdisabilities,

ethnicminoritiesandotherunderrepresentedgroupsto

participateinsportingactivities.

Eachuniqueprojectaddressesessentialsportingcriteria:

• Increasingparticipationinsport;

• Beingsustainable;

• Addressingthefactorsofsocialneed;

• Tacklingsocialexclusion;

• Promotingequalityofopportunityandgood

communityrelations;

• Promotingsportingexcellence;

• Addressinghealthinequalities;and

• Providingthestructuresforlong-termathlete

development.

ThisinvestmentbySportNorthernIreland’sLotteryFundisa

majorcontributionintacklingsocialinjusticeandinequalities.

Theprogrammedemonstratestheabilityofsporttoheal

dividedcommunities,improvehealthandwell-being,andlift

thosemostdisadvantagedoutofthepovertyofaspiration.

Thefollowingcasestudyillustratesthebenefitsresulting

fromthistypeofSportNorthernIrelandinvestment.

Moyola Park Association Football Club MoyolaParkAssociationFootballClubwasawardeda

grantof£1.55mbySportNorthernIrelandtowardsthe

developmentofanewplayingpitchandassociatedfacilities

atMillMeadow,BridgeStreet,Castledawson.

IndecidingtoembarkonthisambitiousprojectMoyola

ParkAFChadthetwofoldaimofprovidinganappropriate

settingforthegrowingnumberofyoungpeoplewishingto

becomeinvolvedwiththeclubthroughminisoccer,youth

footballandladies’footballandafacilitywhichwouldenable

themaleadultseniorteamtoplayatthehighestlevelof

intermediatefootball.

AswellasafullsizeFIFA2*3rdgenerationartificialturf

playingpitchthedevelopmentwillincludedugouts,pitchand

groundperimeterfencing,carparking,a200seatcovered

accommodationstandandapavilionwithfourteamchanging

rooms,twoofficials’changingareas,anindoormultisportarea,

acommitteeroomandtoiletfacilitiesforspectators.

Places for Sport 16


TheSportNorthernIrelandPlacesforSportProgrammeis

designedtoassistwiththedeliveryofthenewten-year

StrategyforSportandPhysicalRecreationinNorthern

Ireland–‘SportMatters’,toprovideavisionof‘aculture

oflifelongenjoymentandsuccessinsport’.Toachievethis

vision,theStrategyrecognisestheneedtodeveloparange

ofnew,improvedandsharedsportsfacilitiestoastandard

comparablewithotherregionsintheUK.

Theprogrammespecificallyfocusesonfiveareas:

1. Pitchesandotheroutdoorsportssurfacese.g.athletic

tracks,tenniscourts,etc;

2. Indoorspecialisedsportssurfaces;

3. Floodlightingfortrainingpitchesandmainpitches

(onlyavailableforstrategicallyimportantvenues);

4. Buildings-constructionofanewtwoorfour

changingroompavilion/extensionstoexisting

changingpavilionswherethereisademonstrated

needforadditionalprovision;and

5. Purchaseofequipment-equipmentmustbebased

permanentlyinonelocationandmustbenewandnot

replacementormaintenanceequipment.

Thefollowingcasestudyillustratesthebenefitsresulting

fromthistypeofSportNorthernIrelandinvestment.

Coleraine Riding for the DisabledApurposebuiltfacility,theColeraineEquestrianArenaat

Castleroe,hasbeenmanyyearsintheplanningand,atlast,

thefirststepofthebuildingprogrammehasbeentaken.

SportNorthernIrelandareproviding£1.2million,plus

fundingforaSportsDevelopmentOfficerfordevelopmentof

DisabilitySportsinthearea.Itisstronglybelievedtheproject

willdevelopintoa‘CentreofExcellence’whichwillfacilitate

thedevelopmentofsportingopportunitiesforpeoplewith

disabilitiesthroughthewholeNorthCoastarea.

Thenewcomplexwillhouseanequestrianarena,clubroom,

offices,stables,storageandfunctionrooms,andthesitewill

befurtherdevelopedtoincludeextrastablesandbarns,a

riding/drivingtrackthroughthe‘forest’,andthedevelopment

ofa‘wildlifeandwetlands’sanctuaryonthesite.


TheStadiaSafetyProgrammeaims

toassistthe‘owners’ofmajor

soccer,rugbyandGAAgrounds,on

astrategicbasis,toensurethesafety

andcomfortofspectatorsattending

fixturesplayedattheirvenues.

Thestrategicobjectivesofthe

programmeareto:

• Improvehealthandsafety

compliancewithexistingand

proposedlegislation;

• Increasespectatornumbers

andtoincreasethenumber

ofunder-representedgroups

attendingmatches;

• Improvethecomfortof

spectatoraccommodation

withinvenues;and

• Improveco-operation

betweenownersofvenues

andboththePoliceand

Statutoryagencies.

During2008-09SportNorthern

Irelandworkedwithanumberof

applicantsatvariousstagesintheprogramme.

Duringtheyearthreemainprojectswerecompleted:

Armagh GAA Thisprojectsignificantlyimprovedthecurrentsafety

arrangementsatthevenuewiththesafecapacityofthe

venuenow15,600(1,800seatedand13,800standing).This

workincludedupgradingthewest,northandsouthterraces

andbuildingpartoftheeaststand.

Followingcompletion,ArmaghGAACountyBoardisnow

abletoholdtheirgamesattheAthleticGroundsforthefirst

timesince2002.

Afurtherprogrammeofworkshasbeenidentifiedwhichwill

furtherincreasethecapacityofthevenuetoapproximately

18,200.

Stadia Safety17

Portadown FC Thisprojectsignificantlyimprovedthecurrentsafety

arrangementsatthevenuewiththesafecapacityofthe

venuenow3,940(2,740seatedand1,200standing).

Theprojectinvolvedtheconstructionofanewstand,with

thefollowingfacilities:

• Seatingfor1,800;

• CrowdControlRoom;

• Adesignatedfamilyenclosure;

• 3viewingplatformsfor20disabledpersons,with

access;

• 2setsofmale,femaleanddisabledtoilets;

• Steward’sRoom;

• FirstAidRoom;and

• Twoautomatedturnstiles.

Futuredevelopment,whichtheclubanticipatehappening

inthenext5-10years,willseethereplacementofthemain

grandstandwitha2,300seatedstandwhichwillresultinthe

venueachievingtheaimsoftheIFAFacilitiesStrategy(5,000

seated capacity).

Cliftonville FCSportNorthernIrelandfundedworksignificantlyimproved

thesafetyarrangementsatthevenueandincreasedthe

overallsafecapacityofthevenueto2,530(allseated)which

isanincreaseof1,234.

Theprojectincludedtheconstructionofanewstand,with

thefollowingfacilities:

• Seatingfor1,650;

• Toilets(male,femaleanddisabled);

• Accessrampandviewingplatformfor20disabled

persons;

• Adesignatedfamilybay;

• StewardsRoom;

• FirstAidRoom;and

• Exitgate.

Theprojectalsoprovided:

• Atoiletblockatthevisitorsstand;

• ACrowdControlRoom,withCCTVandPAsystem;

• Fourautomatedturnstilesatthevisitorsentrance;and

• Clearandconcisesignage.

Futuredevelopmentforthevenueincludetheprovisionof

changingfacilitiesandthedemolitionofthegrandstand,

acoveredtouchlinestandwith650seatswillreplacethe

grandstand.Thecapacityofthevenuewillbe3,000which

inturnwillmeet(UnionofEuropeanFootballAssociations)

UEFArequirements.Subjecttoplanning,theclubenvisages

completionwithinfiveyears.

Stadia Safety18



Facilities19

Safety of Sports Grounds TheSafetyofSportsGrounds(NI)Order2006wasenacted

inFebruary2006,however,asignificantnumberofArticles

werenotimplementedatthattimeparticularlythoserelating

tothecertificationofgroundswithacapacityofover5,000

andthecertificationofstandswithacapacityexceeding500

atsmallervenues.

InJanuary2009,DCALadvisedtheCulture,ArtsandLeisure

committeethatthecertificationprocesseswouldbecompleted

bytheendofDecember2009.SportNorthernIrelandwas

askedtodraftcriteriaforassessingthepotentialcapacityof

venuesandstands,andtheseweresubmittedtoandagreed

byDCALinFebruary2009.Havingengagedwiththedistrict

councilsandgoverningbodiesofGaelicsport,rugbyandsoccer,

77venueswereidentifiedashavingapotentialcapacityof

5,000ormore.Visitsofthesevenueswerecarriedoutbystaff

oftheFacilitiesUnitbetweenFebruaryandApril2009,andthe

capacitiesassessedagainsttheagreedcriteria.Sixtyofthese

venueswereassessedofhavingacapacityexceeding5,000and

DCALwerenotifedaccordingly.

FollowingdiscussionsbetweenDCAL,SportNorthernIreland

andthegoverningbodies,32venueswereidentifiedas

havingpotentialtoholdsignificantfixturesandthesewere

forwardedfordesignation.

DCALhavepreparedregulationstobeplacedbeforethe

Assemblyforthedesignationoftheseveunes.Theremaining

venueswillbeconsideredfordesignationatalaterdate.Itis

anticipatedthatthestatutoryprocessfortheregulationswill

becompletedinOctoberofthisyearandthevenueswillbe

designatedby31December2009.Itisanticipatedthatitwill

takedistrictcouncilsbetweentwoandsixmonthstoissuesafety

certificates.Thecertificateswillstatethesafecapacityofthe

respectivevenuesandincludeanumberoftermsandconditions

toensurethesafetyofspectatorsattendingfixtures.

IntheinterimperiodSportNorthernIrelandhasprepared

guidancedocumentationonthebehalfofDCALthatwillbe

issued to the district councils. Sport Northern Ireland has also

preparedtrainingseminarpresentationsthatwillbedelivered

tothedistrictcouncils,thePoliceServiceNorthernIreland,

theFireandRescueService,theNorthernIrelandAmbulance

Service,governingbodies,andclubsduringSeptember,

OctoberandNovember2009.

TheFacilitiesUnitisalsoworkingontemplatesforsafety

certificates,appeals,applicationforms,etc.andthesewillbe

forwardedtoDCAL.

A consultation process has

commencedregardingPublic

Orderlegislationtocomplement

thesafetylegislation.

Active Places/Facilities Database UpdateTheFacilitiesUnitcontinuedtoestablishandpromotepositive

workingrelationshipswiththecurrent26DistrictCouncils

andthefiveEducationandLibraryBoards.Anumberofkey

representativesfromeachoftheseorganisationsassisted

SportNorthernIrelandwithourbiennialauditofsports

facilities.Thankstotheirinput,theFacilitiesDatabase/

ActivePlacesNInowhasover6000individualsports

facilitiesrecordedthroughoutNorthernIreland.These

resources,alongwithourGeographicInformationSystem

haveestablishedSportNorthernIrelandasakeyconsultee

inthefacilityplanningprocess.CurrentlySportNorthern

Irelandreceiveslargenumbersofweeklyrequestsforfacility

planningsupportfrombothinternalandexternalpartners.

Toviewlogonto www.sportni.net/activeplaces


Facilities20

Active Places Research Report 2009 - Bridging the GapTheActivePlacesResearchReport2009-Bridgingthe

Gapwaslaunched;thisreportpresentsthefindingsof

Sport Northern Ireland’s facilities research, and outlines the

challengesaheadinaddressingtheshortfallinkeysports

facilitiesinNorthernIreland.It’sthefirstreportofitskindin

Northern Ireland and it provides an opportunity for all sports

facilityproviderstoaddresstheshortfallinamannerthat

meetstheneedsofthelocalpopulation.Thisreportcanbe

downloadedfromwww.sportni.net

Pre Games Training Camps Sport Northern Ireland was represented in the technical

groupforthePreGamesTrainingCampsandDCALsiton

theoverallcommittee.26localvenuesareaccreditedforthe

Olympics,withthreehubsfortheParalympics.

SportNorthernIrelandworkedwithvenueoperatorsto

populate and update the Northern Ireland section of the

LondonOrganisingCommitteeoftheOlympicGames

(LOCOG)website,andrelateddocumentationwascirculated

toInternationalOlympicCommitteemembers.

SportNorthernIrelandwasrepresentedonaworkinggroup

thatinvolvedDCAL,theNorthernIrelandTouristBoard(NITB),

ChiefCulturalandLeisureOfficersAssociation(CLOA)and

otherstopromotetheNorthernIrelandaccreditedvenues

andtohelpDCALachievetheirobjectiveinattracting10

teamspreto2012.SportNorthernIrelandarealsoworking

withthegoverningbodiesandotherinfluentialfiguresand

contactsbuiltupovertheyearstoutilisetheirpersonal

contactsinattractingteamstoNorthernIreland.

SportNorthernIrelandrepresentatives,alongwithour

partnerorganisations,havebeenattendingmajorsporting

eventstopromoteNorthernIrelandathomeandabroad,

andtonetworkwithdecisionmakers.SportNorthern

Ireland,CLOAandDCALwerepartoftheLOCOGdelegation

toBeijingfortheofficiallaunchoftheLOCOGwebsite

andpublicitydocumentation,andmadepresentationsto

representativesoftheNationalOlympicCommitteesin

attendance.SportNorthernIrelandChiefExecutiveEamonn

McCartanalsorepresentedSportNorthernIrelandby

presentingtotheNationalParalympicsCommitteesinAugust

2008.SportNorthernIrelanddevelopedpublicitydocuments

withNITBandDCALinelectronicandwrittenformat.

NorthernIrelandisdisadvantagedforgeographicalreasons

andthereareaddedcostimplications.Thereareanumber

ofsignificantlybetterfacilitieselsewhereintheUK.Other

EuropeancountriesthatareclosetoLondonareoffering

attractivefinancialpackagestoencourageteamstousetheir

facilities.

Thebiggercountriesrequirethefinestfacilitiesandare

makingarrangementstousethebestfacilitiesandthose

closestinproximitytoLondon.Smallercountrieswillmake

theirdecisionastowheretobesituatedinthefinalmonths

beforethe2012Olympics.ThesearethecountriesthatSport

Northern Ireland needs to foster relationships with in the

imminentfuture.

Furtherinformationcanbeobtainedfrom

www.raiseyourgame2012.net


ACTIVE PLACESBridging the GapRESEARCH REPORT 2009


Department of Education ForanumberofyearsSportNorthernIrelandhasattempted

toinfluencetheDepartmentofEducation’s(DENI)‘Building

Handbook’whichoffersdesignguidanceforallnewor

refurbishedschoolbuildprojects.Thisdocumentisdated

andtheguidanceinrelationtosportsfacilitiesdoesnot

complimentthestandardsrecommendedbythegoverning

bodies.

InthepastyeartheFacilitiesTeamhavemadesignificant

progresswithDENI,andarepleasedtobeworking

withtheDepartmentasakeypartnerinsportsfacility

development.InMarch2009,followinganumber

ofcommunicationsbetweenSportNorthernIreland

andDENI,theDepartmentofEducationrequested

designguidancefromSportNorthernIrelandandare

consideringmakingappropriateamendmentstothe

‘BuildingHandbook’.

In addition, Sport Northern Ireland has also discussed the

conceptof‘communityuse’andwillcontinuetowork

withDENIinordertopromoteandmaximisethepositive

impactthatschoolsportsfacilitiescanhaveonlocal

communitiesinNorthernIreland.

Theproposed50mswimmingpool

projectwillformpartofanewleisure

centreatValentinePlayingFieldsin

Bangor.Theprojectcostsareestimated

tobe£41,197K,ofwhich£23,944K

relatestotheeligibleelementsofthe

50mswimmingpool.Theapplicant

organisationhasrequested£15,000K

andispresentlysatisfyingEliteFacilities

ProgrammeStageThreerequirements

andworking‘atrisk’tomeetStageFour

requirements.

The50mswimmingpoolprovidesfor:

• Theoptimumtechnical

requirementsofSwimUlsterLtd.

andSwimIreland;

• OperationalplansthatprovidefortheoptimumoperationalrequirementsofSwimUlsterLtd.;

• ApartnershipphilosophywithSwimUlsterLtd,SINI,SportNorthernIreland,localclubs,educationsector,community

agenciesandrepresentativebodiestofacilitateincreasedparticipation,improveperformancestandardsandfacilitate

highprofileinternationalevents;

• Adetailedsportsdevelopmentplanthatprovidesfortargetingmarketingandoutreachtounder-represented,socially

excluded/TSN,inactivegroupsandaninvolvedapproachtothedevelopmentofnotonlyswimming,buttheincrease

inparticipationandperformancestandardsoftheotheraquaticdisciplinesagainsttheprinciplesoftheLongTerm

AthleteDevelopmentModel;

• PlanstohostasignificantnumberofeventsperyearanddevelopmentofanAquaticsEventsStrategywithkey

partners;and

• APerformanceDevelopmentCentreandapartnershipwiththeSINI.

Facilities Elite Facilities Programme21

Performance SportSport Northern Ireland is committed to developing a world-class sporting system in

Northern Ireland, enabling athletes and teams to maximise their sporting potential and reach their optimum level of performance.

Sport Northern Ireland’s Performance Sport Team works to bring about an environment that will enable athletes to improve athletic performance.


24Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games


TheBeijingGameswereahugesportingsuccess,particularly

forNorthernIrelandathletes,whichwillleavealasting,

positivelegacy.Beijingdeliveredwonderfulelitesport,superb

organisation,stunningvenuesandspectacularceremonies.

Theyweretrulyauniqueopportunitytoshowyoungpeople

thatdreams,ambitionsandaspirationscanbeachievedwith

passionandhardwork.Youonlyneedtolookatsuccess

stories such as

JasonSmyth

whohasbrought

hometwogold

medalsand

set new world

records, and

MichaelMcKillop

whobrought

homeagold

medalatthis

year’sParalympic

Games,tosee

whatcanbe

achieved with

determination

and support.

Theathletes’

dedication has

shown that

anythingis

possible.

Sport Northern Ireland Annual Review 2008- 09

25


Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games

Olympic Games

Athlete Sport Achievement

RichardArchibald Rowing 4thSemi-Finals-LightweightFours

PaddyBarnes Boxing BronzeMedal–LightFlyweight

AndrewBree Swimming NewIrishRecord-11thoverall,2:10.16200mBreaststroke

AlanCampbell Rowing 5thFinal-SingleScull

RichardChambers Rowing 5thFinal-LightweightFours

EmmaDavis Triathlon 37th-ImprovedWorldRanking

PhilipDeignan Cycling 81st

WendyHouvenaghel Cycling SilverMedal-3kmIndividualPursuit

StephenMilne Sailing 13th

MelanieNocher Swimming NewIrishRecord-20thoverall,2:12.29200mBackstroke

Sport Northern Ireland Annual Review 2008- 09

26


Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games

Paralympic Games

Athlete Sport Achievement

EilishByrne Equestrian–Dressage 11thIndividualChampionshipand8thIndividualFreestyleTest

StephenCampbell Swimming

ClockedanewIrishrecordandPBof5.28.43finishing10thoverall-400m(S11)FreestyleEvent10thoverallintheheat-100m(S11)ButterflyEvent15thoverall-100m(S11)FreestyleEvent

HannahClarke Swimming Finished5thintheheatclockinganewPBandIrishRecordof2.06.33-100m(SB5)Women’sBreaststroke

KarenCromie Rowing 5thFinal-MixedDoubleSculls

JonathanCummings SwimmingNewIrishRecordof1:29.25finishing8thoverall-100m(S6)BackstrokeFinalFinished5thinheatalthoughheswamaPersonalBestrecordof5:50.54-400m(S6)

MarkJones Football(7-a-side) TheIrishteamfinishedin6thplaceoverall

MichaelMcKillop Athletics GoldMedalin800m(T37)settingnewParalympicWorldRecordof1:59.39

JasonSmyth Athletics Twogoldmedalsinthe200mand100m(T13)events,settingnewParalympicWorldRecordsof21.43and10.62

EVENT/SPORT MEDAL

OLYMPIC/PARALYMPICMEDALS

JasonSmyth 100mAthletics Gold

JasonSmyth 200mAthletics Gold

MichaelMcKillop 800mAthletics Gold

PaddyBarnes Boxing Bronze

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

KhrisMeeke Rally Gold

TommyMcCarthy Boxing Bronze

WORLDCUPS

AlanCampbell Rowing Gold

RichardChambers Rowing Silver

MatthewRooney Judo Bronze

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

NiallMcVeigh Badminton Gold(Individuals)

NiallMcVeigh Badminton Silver(Doubles)

LauraD’Urso Rowing Gold

PeterChambers Rowing Gold

JohnnyMitchell Rowing Silver

ThomasLittle Rowing Silver

MarkNesbitt Archery Silver

EamonO’Kane Boxing Bronze

CricketU17Squad Cricket Gold

CricketU23Squad CricketU19Squad Gold

CricketSeniorSquad CricketU19Squad Gold

CricketU19Squad CricketU19Squad Silver


27Astonishing Medal CountIn2008-0936medalswerewonbyathletesfromthe

governingbodiesinwhichSportNorthernIrelandinvestsin

and/orathletesontheathletesupportprogramme.

28


Astonishing Medal CountMISCELLANEOUS (EQUIVALENT TO WORLD, INTERNATIONAL, EUROPEAN EVENT OR

COMMONWEALTH LEVEL)

StephenGallagher Cycling(UCI Gold

MarkNesbitt Archery(YouthOlympics) Gold

MarkNesbitt Archery(YouthOlympics) Gold

HannahLewis Athletics(CWYG) Silver

EdwardMourbrey Athletics(CWYG) Bronze

CiaraMageean Athletics(CWYG) Bronze

Sean Duffy Boxing(CWYG) Silver

PaulHyland Boxing(CWYG) Bronze

ChelseyWilson Swimming(CWYG) Silver

ChelseyWilson Swimming(CWYG) Bronze

ConorLeaney Swimming(CWYG) Bronze

MatthewHall Shooting(CWYG) Silver

CricketSeniorSquad Cricket(Inter-continentalCup) Gold

IrishSeniorsRugby Rugby(TripleCrown) Gold

IrishSeniorsRugby Rugby(SixNations) Gold

29Sports Institute Northern Ireland


Providing Aspiring Athletes with a Springboard to SuccessBasedattheUniversityofUlster,JordanstownCampus,

SINIcontinuestoproveitselftobeasuccessfulpartnership

betweenSportNorthernIrelandandtheUniversity.

WhenanathletebecomesaSINIathletetheyhaveaccess

toahighlevelofperformancesupport.Eachathleteis

individuallyscreenedandaspecificprogrammeistailored

fortheirexactneeds.Athleteshaveaccesstothefollowing

supportservices:

• ProgrammePlanning;

• SportsMedicine;

• PerformanceScience;

• StrengthandConditioning;and

• PerformanceSkills.

SINI also delivers, in partnership with Sport Northern Ireland,

specificdevelopmentprogrammesforathletesandcoaches,

endeavoringtobuildskillsandgainexposuretocuttingto

edgepracticetoenabletheathletesandcoachestobecome

world class.

SINIcontinuestodelivervitalsupportservicestoarangeof

athletesfromsportsincludingGaelicfootball,hockey,rugby,

andindividualathletesfromthesportsof;bowls,cricket,

cycling,judo,rowing,sailing,squash,swimming,triathlon,

andwaterskiing.

SINI Warm Weather Training CampSINIheldit’sfirsteverallservicewarmweathertrainingcamp

fortenathletesfromsixdifferentsportsatthestateofthe

artVilaRealdeSantoAntoniotrainingfacilitiesinPortugal

atthestartofFebruary.AthleteswhotravelledtoPortugal

includedyoungJudostarLisaKearney,cyclistConnor

McConvey,RowerOrlaghDuddy,Triathloncompetitors

EmmaDaviesandAileenMorrison,sprinterAmyFosteras

wellasDoubleParalympicGoldMedalistJasonSmyth.

Thecampwasdesignedtoallowtheathletestocomplete

theirwarmweathertrainingalongsideservicestaffand

fellowathletes.ThisisthefirstsuchcampthatSINIhaverun

andtheSINIHighPerformanceManagerJoHopkinsbelieves

thatthisisanessentialpartofthedevelopmentofbothSINI

athletesandstaff:

“ItisessentialforSINItoprovideathleteswithanintegrated

WorldClasssupportservicebothathomeandabroad.

Warmweathertrainingcampsareanintegralpartofany

worldclassperformancesystemandallofourtopathletes

havethembuiltintotheirperformanceplan.Manyof

ourathletesoftencompeteinwarmerclimatesandthese

30


Sports Institute Northern Irelandcampsgivethemachancetoadapttodifferent

environments.Theyprovideanopportunityfor

coachesandserviceproviderstoworkonetoone

withathletesmaximizingtheirinputinanintense

trainingblock.

Weareanintegralpartofeachathlete’ssupport

teamandthismultisporttrainingcampprovides

acrucialopportunityforSINIstafftowork

with athletes and their coaches in an intensive,

collaborativetrainingenvironment,buildingtrust

andenhancingrelationships.Thisisallcrucialif

wearetogivetheathletesthesupporttheyneed

tocompeteatworldclasslevel.”

Enhanced CapacitySINIhasworkedhardthisyeartoincrease

capacityanddevelopmentofservicesthrough

appointmentsofinternsinPerformanceScience

andPerformanceSkillsandaPlacementposition

inStrengthandConditioning.

In addition to the interns to assist with

PerformancePlanningacrossarangeofsports,

formerdoubleOlympianrowerRichardArchibald

wasappointedasPerformanceCoordinator.

ThisyearSINIprovidedsupporttotheNorthern

IrelandseniorfootballsoccerduringtheirWorld

CupQualificationCampaign.

Furtherinformationcanbeobtainedfrom

www.sini.co.uk


Systems and structuresSportNorthernIrelandacknowledgesthatgoverningbodiesplayamajor

roleinthedevelopmentofathletes.SportNorthernIrelandinvestment

of£1,375,107in2008-09enablinggoverningbodiestoworktowards

puttinginplacetheappropriatesystemsandstructurestoimprove

performancelevelsoftheathletes.

Staff SportNorthernIrelandinvestsingoverningbodiestoemploy48

staffincludingpostsincludingBusinessDevelopmentManagers,

PerformanceManagers,PerformanceCoaches,TalentIdentification

Officers,Participation,ClubandCoachingDevelopmentOfficers,and

Administrationstaff.

Modern, fit for purpose organisations TheModernisationTeamcontinuedtosupportgoverningbodiesimprove

capacityinareassuchasfinancialmanagement,humanresource

management,boardrolesandresponsibilitiesandpolicydevelopment.

SportNorthernIrelandalsoorganisedanumberoftrainingcourses

forgoverningbodies.Coursesincluded‘BecomingaCharity’,the

‘ImplementationofGIFTAid’,‘LineManagementTraining’,and‘Line

ManagingforBoardMembers’.

InlinewithSportNorthernIreland’sGoverningBodyInvestment

Programmeanditscorporateobjectiveofensuringgoverningbodies

arefitforpurpose,SportNorthernIrelandcontinuedtoauditgoverning

bodiestoachievethis.Afurthertwogoverningbodiesachieveda

reasonablelevelofassuranceduring2008-09:

• NorthernIrelandArcherySociety

• UBBadmintonUnionofIreland

31Governing Body Investment

SportNorthernIrelandpilotedseveralgoverningbody

programmestoassistinthedevelopmentoftalented

athletes.Theseprogrammeswereasfollows:

Route 2012InpartnershipwithCyclingIrelandandtheIrishSports

Council,acyclingtalenttransferprogrammewasdesigned

toidentifytalentedathletesfromarangeofsportsthatcould

transfersuccessfullytotrackcycling.Thiswasimplemented

bytestingphysicalattributestodeterminetheirsuitability;

withthepotentialtocompeteintheLondon2012Olympic

Games.

Talent Orientation Camp SportNorthernIreland’ssecondTalentOrientationCamp

heldinAugustattheUniversityofUlsterwasahugesuccess.

Itprovidedauniqueopportunityfor17youngathletesto

receiveaninsightintotheworldofhighperformancesport

andtocriticallyreflectupontheirowntalent,abilityand

potentialtosucceedatthehighestlevel.

DeliveredbystafffromSportNorthernIreland,SINI,and

thespecificgoverningbodiesinvolvedthecampgavethe

athletesaccesstoperformancesportstaffwhoranamix

ofconditioning,lifestyle,psychologyandinjuryprevention

sessions.Followupsessionsareongoingwithathletes

workingwithastaffmember

todeveloptheirPhysical

Competenciesonaweekly

basis.

Oneofthehighlightsofthe

campwasavisitbyMichael

Carruth,the1992Olympic

WelterweightChampion

whogaveparticipantsan

insightintowhatitwas

liketocompeteatOlympic

level.Theathletesheard

howMichaelmanagedto

jugglehiseducationand

trainingandthesacrifices

hehadtomakealongthe

waytobecomeanOlympic

Champion.

Skills FestivalsSportNorthernIrelandhostedaseriesofskillsfestivals,in

conjunctionwithSportNorthEast,SportSouthEast,the

SouthernAreaSportsPartnership,UlsterHockey,Ulster

Squash,andtheUlsterBranchoftheBadmintonUnion

ofIreland.Thesearebaselevelidentificationprogrammes

aimingtoidentifyyoungathleteswithpotentialtalentinthe

sportsofbadminton,hockey,squash,andtennis,offering

supportfortheirdevelopmentthroughqualitycoaching.

32Talent Identification and Development


33Coaching


Top Coaches Honoured

Thecoachingstrategyfor

Ireland was launched in

September2008atthe

NationalCoachingForum.

Thestrategy,whichwas

developed in partnership with

CoachingIrelandandtheIrish

Sports Council, sets out the

directionofcoachingoverthe

nextfouryearsandprovides

aframeworkforraising

the standard and status of

coachingonanall-islandbasis.

TheUKCoachingFramework

(2008-16)hasprogressedfromthe‘BuildingtheFoundations’tothe‘DeliveringtheGoals’

phasewith31sports.EachoftheHomeCountrySportsCouncilsandUKSporthavenow

signeduptoimplementingtheFrameworkoverthenextsevenyears.

ThevisionoutlinedintheFrameworkistocreateacohesive,ethical,inclusiveandvalued

coachingsystemwhereskilledcoachessupportchildren,adults,playersandathletesatallstages

oftheirdevelopmentinsport.Thevisionendeavoursforthistobeworld-leadingby2016.

TheFrameworkhighlightshowsportscoachUKplanstoworkinclosepartnershipwith

governingbodiesandeachoftheHomeCountrySportsCouncilstoenhancethequality

andquantityofcoachesatalllevelsofsport.Theobjectiveistohelpcoachesplayakeyrole

inincreasingsportparticipation,improvingsportingperformancesandinbuildingaclear

careerstructureforcoacheswithinaprofessionallyregulatedvocation.

SportNorthernIrelandcontinuestodevelopandimprovetheprogrammeofgenericcoach

educationwhichitcurrentlyprovides.Withatutorworkforceof50skilledandavailable

tutorsinplace,SportNorthernIrelandcurrentlyoffersarangeof17genericcoacheducation

coursesacrossarangeoftopics.200workshopstookplacelastyearwithover2000

participants in attendance.

TheSportNorthernIrelandCoach

oftheYearAwards,heldatthe

UniversityofUlster,wasanideal

opportunity to raise not only the

profileofcoaches,butalsoto

acknowledgeandcommendthe

contributionthattheymaketo

the success of Northern Ireland’s

sportsmenandwomen.

Presentattheawards,sponsored

byPodium4Sport,were15finalist

coacheswhohadbeennominatedin

thecategoriesofYouthSport,YoungAthleteDevelopment,PerformanceSport,Disability

andLifetimeContribution.CoachPatrickMcKillopreceivedthetophonourattheSport

NorthernIrelandCoachoftheYearawards.

NorthernIrelandFootballManagerNigelWorthingtonpresentedPatrickwiththe

PerformanceAthleteCoachAwardandnamedoverallCoachoftheYearatthegala

ceremony.

OtherCategoryWinners:

• YouthSport,JoeNorwood,Football

• YoungAthleteDevelopment,DrIanWalker,Volleyball

• Disability,GerardMcAnulty,GAA

• LifetimeContribution,JimNelson,GAA

SportNorthernIrelandcontinuestodevelopandimprovetheprogrammeofgeneric

coacheducationwhichitcurrentlyprovides.Withatutorworkforceof50skilledand

availabletutorsinplace,SportNorthernIrelandcurrentlyoffersarangeof17generic

coacheducationcoursesacrossarangeoftopics.200workshopstookplacelastyear

withover2000participantsinattendance.

ThePractitionerDevelopmentProgrammefocuseson

developingaworkforceofhighperformancecoaches,

sportsscientistsandmedicalpractitionerswiththenecessary

experience,skillsandknowledgetoimproveathlete

performance.

Inthefirstyearoftheprogramme13practitionersreceived

bursariestofurthertheircareerpathways.Thefundinghas

beenusedbythepractitionerstoattendhighperformance

events,toobservehighperformanceathletes,undertake

aresearchprojectorplacement,ortocompleteahigher

educationdegree.

Practitionersattendedaseriesofworkshopsdelivered

bySportNorthernIrelandinpartnershipwithSINI.The

workshops,basedonasuccessfulUKSportmodel,include

thedevelopmentofhighperformancecompetencies

essentialforthoseworkinginahighperformance

environment;subjectsincludeStrivingforExcellence,

TeamworkandCollaboration,Influencing,Understanding

Others,CommunicationandCreativeThinking,and

Innovative Solutions.

Thesecondyearoftheprogrammeopenedforapplications

inNovember2008;atotalof23applicationswerereceived

and16havebeenawarded.

Anti-Dopinginformationandeducationworkshopswere

madeavailabletoallNorthernIrelandathletes.These

sessions,deliveredbyboththeIrishSportsCounciland

UKSport,werewellattendedandraisedtheawareness

ofAnti-Dopingissues,beginninganimportantprocessof

Anti-DopingEducationwithinNorthernIreland.

34Practitioner Development Programme


Anti-doping

35Athlete Support Programme


“Assisting Northern Ireland’s talented able-bodied and

disabled sportspeople to improve their performance

standards and achieve international sporting success”

Atotalof53awardstotaling£264,374to22governing

bodiesweremadeundertheAthleteSupportProgrammein

2008-09insupportof51individualandtwosquadtraining

andcompetitionprogrammes.

FundingfromtheAthleteSupportProgrammeprovides

supporttowardscoachingcosts,personaltrainingand

preparationcosts,sportsscienceandsportsmedicine

support,competitioncostsandpersonalequipmentas

identifiedinanathleteorteam’strainingandcompetition

programme.

Inadditiontotheabove,17athletesbenefitedfromLiving

Costsfundingtotaling£77,460.TheLivingCostsextension

oftheAthleteSupportProgrammeaimstomaximisean

athlete’spotentialbyprovidingfundingwhichwillenable

themtotrainonafull-timeorpart-timebasis.

36Youth Games

An emphasis on youthSportNorthernIrelandwasonceagaindelightedtosponsortheYouthGames–awell

establishedsportinginitiativedesignedtoboostyoungpeople’sparticipationinsport.

Over800youngpeopleagedbetween12and16competedinsportsincludingbadminton,

hockey,netball,tabletennis,andvolleyball.PlayingonbehalfoftheEducationandLibrary

Boards,theYouthGamesgivesyoungtalentedathletesanopportunitytoexperiencethe

adrenalinandexpectationoftakingpartinatournamentofthissize.

TheYouthGamesprovidecontinuedopportunitiesfortalentedyoungathletesnotonlyto

developthemselvesandtheirsportingperformanceswithsomecompetitorsgoingonto

competeatCounty,ProvincialandInternationalLevel,butalsotointeractwithchildrenfrom

otherschoolsandcommunitiesandbuildnewfriendships.

UK School Games


Talent shines at UK School GamesThethirdUKSchoolGames,whichtookplaceinBristolandBath,wereahugesuccess

forcompetitorsfromNorthernIrelandastheybroughthomeamassivetotalof26

medals.

TheGames,anexcitinginitiativedesignedtoencouragemoreyoungpeopletotake

partinsportandprovidethemwiththeexperienceofbeinginvolvedinamajor

multi-sportcompetitiveevent,sawourlocalathletesbattlingforhonoursamong1500

competitorsinninesportsoverfourdaysofcompetition.

NorthernIrelandprovidedamixedteamofboysandgirlstocompeteinninesports;

NorthernIrelandathleteswonmedalsinathletics(5),badminton(1),fencing(5),

hockey(2),judo(6),andswimming(7).

A total of £72,000 was awarded to six events from the Events Programme:

Applicant Event Amount (£)

EventDirect NorthernIrelandInternationalHorseShow 20,000

NorthernIrelandBlindGolf WorldBlindGolfChampionships 16,000

Athletics Northern Ireland Irish International Indoor Athletics 15,000

NorthernIrelandBlindGolf BritishBlindGolfChampionships 8,000

Northern Ireland Archery Society Euronations 8,000

SocietyOneArmedGolfers WorldOneArmedGolfChampionships 5,000

TOTAL 72,000

37Events Programme


“A Sport Northern Ireland programme to assist

with the bidding for and running of sports

events in Northern Ireland”

Sporting Events

Sport Northern Ireland Annual Review 2008- 09Sport Northern Ireland Annual Review 2008-09

Hosting major events is an opportune way to showcase what Northern Ireland has to offer, and enhance its image on the world stage.

Sporting events, large or small, provide an excellent platform to inspire young people to participate in sport, for talented athletes to raise their game, and instil a feeling of possibility among individuals, teams and society.

40

Sporting Events

Belfast City MarathonThe27thBelfastCityMarathonwasahugesuccess–with

arecord15,000runnerstakingtothestreetsofBelfast,

makingtheoccasionthebiggestmassparticipationsports

event in the Northern Ireland sports event calendar.

Ethiopia’sMarashetJummasmashedthewomen’srecordby

morethantwominutes;Jumma’stimeof2:39:22beatthe

previousbestof2:41:33,setbyLemmaUrgein2005.

Itwasacleansweepofchampionsallround,asKenya’s

JohnMutaialsoheldontothemen’scrownwithatimeof

2:16:31.

Between the Bridges Charity RunNearly5000walkers,funrunners,

joggers,clubathletesandlocal

personalitiestooktotheWestlink/

M1toparticipateintheBetween

theBridgesCharityRuninaidof

NorthernIrelandHospice.

OrganisedbyCumannSpoìrtan

PhobailwithsupportfromSport

NorthernIreland,BelfastCity

Council,DepartmentforRegional

Development,Community

RelationsCouncil,BelfastMedia

GroupandAthleticsNorthern

Ireland,thisuniqueeventmarked

thecompletionofthe£103million

Westlink/M1scheme.


41

Sporting Events


Six Nations ChampionshipIrelandclaimedtheirfirstGrandSlamin61yearsinasensationalclimaxtotheyear’sSixNations

Championship;withvictoriesoverEngland,Scotland,Wales,FranceandItalyforthefirsttimesince1948.

PlayedattheMillenniumStadiuminCardiff,theIrishteam’sperformanceandtriumphbroughtacloseto

theirwinningseason.Theplayers,ledbyteamcaptainBrianO’Driscoll,showedremarkabledetermination

and will to win for Ireland.

TheGrandSlamof1948wasthebeginningofagoldenera...theteamcannowkickonanddominate

EuropeallthewaytotheWorldCupin2011.

ICC World Twenty20 QualifierOrganisedbyInternationalCricketCouncil(ICC),theICC

WorldTwenty20QualifierwasplayedinAugust2008

atStormont,Belfast.Irelandcompetedwithfivefellow

Associatesinthefourdaytournament,withIreland,Holland

andScotlandsuccessfullysecuringaplaceattheICCWorld

Twenty202009.


42

Sporting Events

Milk CupSinceitbeganin1983,theMilkCuphasgrownintooneof

themostprestigiousandsuccessfulsoccercompetitionsin

the world.

Thecompetitionbringstogetherthefinestofyoung

footballingtalentfromacrosstheglobe;bringingthe

excitementandchallengeofcompetingtotheyoungplayers

andofficialsandgreatentertainmentforthespectators.

Manyfamousnameshavegracedthiscompetitioninthe

pastwithplayerssuchasWayneRooney,RyanGiggs,David

Beckham,RobbieFowlerandPeterCrouchallcompeting.

Nowinits26thyeartheMilkCupisrecognisedasoneofthe

mostprestigiousinternationalyouthfootballtournamentsin

Europe.

The2008event,onceagainsponsoredbySportNorthern

Ireland,didn’tdisappointwithNorthernIrelandtakingthe

Elitecrown;ManchesterUnitedtriumphinginthePremier

section;andEvertoncameouttopintheJuniorcategory.

Runher 8KSportNorthernIrelandwasaproudsponsorofthe2008

BelfastTelegraphRunher8K;aneventtargetingwomenonly.

Nearly600womenandgirlswalked,joggedandran

aroundOrmeauParkfortheinaugural8k.Therace

waswonbyParalympicstarKarenCromiewhohadjust

returnedfromBeijing,inafantastictimeof27minutes

and42seconds.AnelatedKarenthoughttheeventwas

anexcellentopportunitytoempowerwomenofallages

toenjoythewalk,andwouldlovetoseemoredisabled

peopletakepartnextyear.

Sport Northern Ireland Annual Review

2008-09

Corporate ServicesCorporate Services are seen to be the ‘backbone’ of Sport Northern Ireland – ensuring efficient and effective administration in sport.

The Corporate Services Unit provides a good working environment for the whole organisation through effective delivery of: Financial Management; Human Resources; Information Technology; Internal Audit Procedures; Investment Assurance; Marketing; and Policy Planning and Research.


45

Human Resources


Sport Northern Ireland… “One to Watch” SportNorthernIrelandwasaccreditedwith“OnetoWatch”

statusbyBestCompanies,theworkplaceengagement

specialistsbehindthe‘SundayTimesBestCompaniesto

WorkFor’.

ThelatestguiderecognisesSportNorthernIrelandasan

organisationwithgreatgrowthpotential,andonecommitted

tobeingoneofthebestemployersintheUK.

SportNorthernIrelandisfeaturedintheBestCompanies

Guide,anannualreferenceforgraduates,whichprovides

independentandunbiasedinformationonsomeofthe

UK’sbestworkplaces.The2008editionisavailableatthe

followingaddress:www.bestcompaniesguide.co.uk

TheBestCompaniesAccreditationwasestablishedto

acknowledgecorporateexcellenceintheworkplace,setting

constantstandardsforbusinessesofallsizestoaspireto,

withresultsbeingdrawnbaseduponanemployeesurvey

andcompanyquestionnaire.

46

Policy, Planning and Research


SportNorthernIrelandisanorganisationthatisfocused

onpromotingsportandthebenefitsthatcanbederived

throughsport;itsaimistomakedecisionsthatarebasedon

evidence.

TheResearchUnitrespondstotheneedtostrengthenthe

evidencebaseforinformeddecisionmakinginsportatall

levels,andseekstoputinplaceacoherentframeworkfor

research and evaluation that is responsive to the research

needsandprioritiesintheproposedStrategyaswellasthe

widersocialpolicyagenda.

SportNorthernIrelandcommissions,communicatesand

disseminatesresearchprojectsunderthefollowingthematic

areas:

• StrategicMeasurementandMonitoringParticipation;

• StrategicUnderstanding;

• ImpactEvaluation;

• EconomicModeling;and

• CommunicatingandDisseminatingResearchFindings.

In2008-09,SportNorthernIrelandcommissionedthe

followingresearchprojects,someofwhichwerein

collaborationwithourkeypartners…

Participant Development Literature ReviewThisreviewwaswrittenasallpoliciesandprogrammemust

beunderpinnedandsupportedbyon-goingrobustresearch.

Thereviewseekstoidentifythemainfindingsandprinciples

associatedwithParticipantDevelopment,themethods

usedtogeneratethisinformation,andthestrengthsand

weaknessesofthesupportingresearch.Thereviewlooksat

theoperationaldefinitionsofparticipantdevelopmentas

wellasthedifferentmodelsofparticipantdevelopment.It

alsoreviewstheBiologicaldomain,Psychologicaldomainand

SocialdomainofParticipantDevelopmentmakingseveral

recommendationsontheroleofParticipantDevelopment

andtheimportanceofinterdisciplinaryresearchwithinsports

coachingresearchandindependentevaluationsregarding

participantdevelopmentmodels,researchandproposals.

The Assessment and Measurement of Physical Literacy in ChildrenTheaimofthisresearchprojectwastodevelopaPhysical

Literacyassessmenttoolforusewithyoungchildren.This

toolaimedtoassessthecoremotorcompetenciesofchildren

whohadreceivedastructuredPhysicalLiteracyprogramme,

comparedtochildrenwhohadnot.Children’sself-

perceptions and attitudes towards physical activity and sport

were also assessed.

Theresearchfoundthatthemeasurementtooldeveloped

waseffectiveinrevealingthedifferencesbetweenchildren’s

competenceinperforminglocomotor,bodymanagement

andobjectcontrolskills.Furthermore,attitudestowards

physicalactivitywerehighoverallandshowednosignificant

differencesbetweenthosewhoreceivedastructured

programmeandthosewhodidnot.However,children’s

self-perceptionsweresignificantlydifferentbetweenthe

FundamentalMovementSkills(FMS)andnon-FMSgroups

withtheFMSschoolsscoringmorehighly.Thisfindingmay

beindicativeoftheholisticnatureanddeliveryoftheFMS

programmewhichisdesignedtocontributetochildren’s

social,emotionalandcognitivedevelopmentbeyondtheir

movementskills.


47

Policy, Planning and Research

Survey of Public Attitudes to Sport and Physical RecreationThe2008SurveyofPublicAttitudestoSportandPhysical

Recreationwascommissionedtoassesstheextenttowhich

sportandphysicalrecreationhasapositiveimageamongst

thepopulationaged16-70inNorthernIrelandasawhole

andofsub-groupswithinit.Theresearchalsoaddresses

levels of awareness of Sport Northern Ireland and assesses

viewsastowhatSportNorthernIrelandfundingshouldbe

used for.

Therewereseveralkeyfindingsfromtheresearchsuch

as59%ofthosesurveyedthoughtinternationalsporting

successbylocalathleteswasveryimportantand97%agreed

orstronglyagreedthatSportNorthernIrelandfundingshould

gotodevelopyoungpeoplewithsportingtalent.

A Systematic Review of the Literature on Black and Minority Ethnic Communities in Sport and RecreationThisreviewexaminesparticipationinsportandphysical

recreationbyblackandminorityethniccommunities,

oneofthesegmentsofthepopulationidentifiedinthe

government’sequalitylegislation.Inconductingthisreview

SportNorthernIrelandisconcernedwithhowsporting

opportunitiesmightbeextendedandimprovedwith

thegoalofinformingpolicyandpracticeastheconcern

withincreasingparticipationistwofold:tomaximisethe

recruitmentoftalent;andtoallowallsectorsofsocietyto

enjoythepresumedbenefitsofsport.

A Literature Review of Sexual Orientation in SportThesportscouncilintheUKhaverecognisedthesocialand

legalimperativesforsportsbodiestosupportparticipation

amonglesbian,gay,andbisexualpeople,andtooppose

homophobiaandrelateddiscriminationinsport.Thepurpose

ofthisstudywastoreviewandcritiquetheliteratureon

sexualorientationinsportinordertoinformequalityimpact

assessments,supporttheimplementationoftheUKsports

councils’equalityschemeandinformtheadvicegivenby

theseagenciesondevelopingsportsparticipationamong

thosepeopleandontacklinghomophobiainsport.The

reviewdescribesgapsinourknowledge,identifiesfurther

researchneedsandalsomakespolicyrecommendations.

Allthesepublicationscanbedownloadedfrom

www.sportni.net


in northern ireland

Summary of key findings

Survey of Public Attitudes Towards Sport & Physical Recreation 2008

Facts and Figures 2008-09


97,597Peopleparticipatedinsportand physical activity across all Sport Northern Ireland

investmentareas

71Projectsfundedthrough

Awards for All

53Athletes/squadssupportedthroughtheAthleteSupport

Programme

13Practitionersreceivedbursariesthroughthe

PractitionerDevelopmentProgramme

26Localvenuesareaccredited for the

OlympicswiththreehubsfortheParalympics

4,986Student days provided

byTMC

36Medalswerewonbyathletesfromthegoverningbodiesinwhich Sport Northern Ireland investsinand/orathleteson the Athlete Support

Programme

27,454Peoplefrom

under-representedgroupsparticipated in sport and physical activity across all Sport Northern Ireland investmentareas

5Medalswonatthe2008BeijingOlympicandParalympicGames

6EventssupportedthroughtheEventsProgramme

Who’s Who in Sport Northern Ireland 50

Sport Northern Ireland Board Members…

Chair:DominicWalsh

Vice Chair:AlanMoneypenny

Members:

OliveBrown

MurrayCowan

John D’Arcy

UnaDuncan

BarryMacaulay

BrianMcCargo

HughMcCaughey

MauraMuldoon

DannyO’Connor

JimRodgers

AlanStrong

PatrickTurnbull

Sport Northern Ireland Key Staff…

Chief Executive

EamonnMcCartan

Director of Corporate Services

Andrew Sloan

Director of Performance Sport

ShaunOgle

Director of Participation and Facilities

NickHarkness

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