Monthly Archives: February 2012

IRELAND’S women cricketers are to get a brand new squad structure as they push towards the goal of becoming one of the best seven teams in the world.

Designed to closely mirror the men’s set-up, the new framework will demonstrate a clear pathway from Provincial Age Groups into the Senior National Team while also giving key indicators for players, coaches and selectors to aid development and selection.

The idea is to give young players a clearly recognised path to follow from when they first pick up a cricket bat all the way through to the national team.

Ireland captain Isobel Joyce can see nothing but good coming from the streamlining. She said: “It’s very exciting to see the new structure coming together. Younger girls now have a clear goal at an earlier age and I hope this will help to keep them in the game and excited about the opportunities they have within cricket.

“It’s also very important for the more experienced players to know those players are coming up behind them so they continue to push themselves.”

Cricket Ireland Performance Director Richard Holdsworth said “In previous years the women’s pathway has seen a variety of routes to Senior International level through teams such as A-team, Development, and Academy.

“By clearly identifying who are our established, high potential and developing international players, we can streamline that journey and make the player development programme within it much more targeted and specific to the needs of each player.”

The Pathway that Cricket Ireland has laid out incorporates three phases:

Senior: Established international players with a high degree of understanding of their own skill sets who will benefit from specific development in key areas to ensure regular high class performance.

Performance: High potential players who require further development of core skills but have previously represented Ireland and Province at senior and age group levels.

Emerging Player Programme: Players aged from 13 to 17 years who have demonstrated good performance
at or above their own age group and exhibit and a dedication and ambition to perform at the highest level.

The new structure will come into immediate effect as preparations continue for what is expected to be the busiest season ever for Irish women’s cricket.

Their fixtures will include competing in an enhanced ECB County Championship (with a minimum of eight games – up from four in 2011), the ECB T20 Cup, several T20 Internationals against full members to be played in the UK, and an ODI and T20 International series in Ireland. All confirmed fixtures will be announced in due course.

Holdsworth added: “Senior women’s coach Jeremy Bray will head up the senior programme, while part-time women’s performance coach Nigel Pyne leads the performance and emerging players programme with Jeremy assisting.

“Both coaches have huge experience and I am confident these programmes will give the players a great opportunity to improve and allow the Ireland women’s team to reach their target of seventh in the global rankings by 2015.”

Assistant Head of Delegation.

 

The Colleges and Universities Sports Association of Ireland (CUSAI) seek to appoint an Assistant Head of Delegation to the Irish team that will attend the 2013 World University Games (Summer Universiade) in Kazan, Russia from the 6^th – 17^th July, 2013.

 

1. 1.       General Brief:

 

CUSAI seeks a highly professional, qualified and experienced person to undertake the role of Assistant Head of Delegation in respect of the 2013 WUGs.

 

The Assistant Coach will be expected, and required, to support the Head of Delegation in undertaking and delivering, but not limited to, the duties outlined below. In addition the Assistant Head of Delegation (AHoD) will also be required to take full responsibility for the implementation of specific actions as identified by the Head of Delegation (HoD).

 

The successful candidate will support the HoD in:

 

• Preparing the Irish delegation (‘Team Ireland’) for the 27th World University Games (‘WUG’) in Kazan, Russia (6th – 13th July 2013);
• Engendering and fostering an environment of excellence within the Team Ireland delegation both during and in the lead up to the WUGs, including planning and administration activities which enhances the opportunity for Team Ireland athletes to excel;
• Creating a vibrant, athlete‐focused culture;
• Being a confident, committed leader operating in an intense environment both in the lead up to and during the WUGs;
• Taking responsibility for the conduct of Team Ireland during the Games.

 

1. 2.       Reporting to: Head of Delegation.

 

1. 3.       Job Description (but not limited to):

 

Pre Games: The successful candidate will support the HoD in the undertaking of the following duties. In some instances the AHoD may be delegated by the HOD to take full responsibility for the undertaking of specific duties.

 

• Assist in coordinating the planning process during the lead up to the WUGs including:
• The production of relevant timelines and work plans;
• The appointment of support team including Medical, Administrative and PR team;
• Liaising with Russian Embassy representatives in relation to all visa requirements for delegation members;
• The development of a logistics and travel plan;
• The coordinating the sourcing and ordering of leisurewear and competition clothing;
• The implementation of a WUG’s communication strategy;
• Adhering to the 2013 WUGs budget and addressing funding issues in liaison with the CUSIA office, NGB, Irish Sports Council, Institute of Sport, and Sport Northern Ireland;
• Where required liaise with NGB high performance managers (or equivalent personnel) regarding selection criteria, funding, athlete selections and the appointment of officials;
• Maintain effective communications channels with athletes, officials, NGBs and the CUSAI Office;
• Ensure that all members of the delegation carry out their duties and responsibilities as prescribed;
• Act as a spokesperson for Team Ireland, both prior to and during the Games;
• Enforce CUSAI policy: this includes having a role in handling any positive doping violation during the Games;

 

On Site: Duties may include:

 

• Adhering to proper protocol with dignitaries, presenting gifts on behalf of the Team Ireland;
• Attending daily Chef’s meetings called by the Host Organizing Committee;
• Overseeing the accrediting of Team Ireland delegation members;
• Chairing of daily team meetings with medical, administrative and PR staff as required;
• Assisting in the administration of disciplinary cases;
• Coordinating participation in the flag raising ceremonies;
• Support the HoD in team building and morale raising exercises and
• Assist media personnel with the gathering of results of Team Ireland  athletes.

 

1. 3.       Person Specification:

 

Ideally the appointee:

 

• Is experienced in the management of national sporting teams and capable of discharging the duties of the Assistant Head of Delegation;
• Understands management principles and their application to managing a national sporting team;
• Demonstrates a clear understanding of the issues relating to managing a International multi‐sports team;
• Has demonstrated the capacity to plan and implement activities, to co‐ordinate people and resources, and to maintain appropriate monitoring and controls;
• Has the interpersonal and management skills to successfully motivate and direct others;
• Works effectively with all people and shows initiative in making decisions and taking action;
• Demonstrates strong written and verbal communication skills:
• Competent in dealing with high‐ranking representatives and officials, fellow sports officials, diplomatic officers and business leaders;
• Maintains personal control and quality standards when faced with long hours of work and changing demands:
• Shows enthusiasm and preparedness to put athlete performance before other considerations;
• Available to travel to the 2013 WUG in Kazan and attend all Team Ireland WUG meetings in Dublin;
• Demonstrates a good general working knowledge of sport, FISU rules and procedures, in order to support the individual sports athletes and officials through their respective administrative and technical requirements at the WUG’s;
• Understands the various roles and support needs of performance managers, coaches and athletes in order to perform at their best in competition;
• It is desired (but not essential) that the successful candidate has experience of, and has previously engaged, with CUSAI and/ or the tertiary sports sector.

 

1. 4.       Remuneration:

 

This is an honorary position – no salary or honorarium will be paid to the postholder.

 

1. 5.       Tenure of Post.

 

The appointment will be for an initial term of one World University Summer Games (Kazan 2013) and will conclude at the end of the 2013 World University Games.

 

1. 6.       Application Process.

 

Nominations for the position of Assistant Head of Delegation are now sought.

 

Please complete a nomination form accompanied with a covering letter and forward to the CUSAI Office in confidence at Sport HQ, 13 Joyce Way, Parkwest, Dublin 12 or via email address to ciaran@cusai.ie.

 

The form must be countersigned by a representative of one of the following organisations:

 

• CUSAI Member Institutions;
• National Governing Body for Sport (ROI / NI) ;
• Irish Student Sport Governing Body

 

The deadline for receipt of applications is 12 noon Friday, 16^th March, 2012. 

Click here for further details or download the application form here

DIT Sports & Recreation Service in co-operation with the GAA ASAP Programme are delighted to invite you to ‘Reach for the Top – A Sporting Life’  Open Forum at 7pm, on Thursday 1^st March, at DIT Aungier Street

 

This event brings together some of the leading lights in the support of Sport and Athletes in Ireland, in an open forum event. You will get the chance to hear the latest updates and best practise in developing sport, and supporting Irish Athletes at the highest levels ask them questions about their own experiences.

 

To reserve your place, e-mail headofsport@dit.ie.

 

Entry is free – and refreshments will be provided (so make sure to book your place).

Representatives of this year’s club finalists gathered at CrokeParkthis afternoon in advance of Sunday’s (March 4^th) double header All Ireland finals fixture at GAA HQ.

 

Una Leacy of Oulart the Ballagh (Wexford) joined Mary Looby of Drom/Inch (Tipperary) and Intermediate finalists, Aileen Moore of Eoghan Rua (Derry) and Aoife Lynskey of Ardrahan (Galway).

 

Oulart the Ballagh face Drom/Inch in the senior decider at 3.00pm and at 1.00pm defending Intermediate champions Eoghan Rua play Ardrahan.

 

A number of established inter-county players, such as the Leacy sisters, Una and Mary, Ursula Jacob (Oulart-the Ballagh, Wexford) and Joanne Ryan of Drom/Inch will also be aiming to add an elusive All Ireland club title to their playing honours on Sunday.

 

Speaking at this afternoon’s photocall President of the Camogie Association Joan O’Flynn said:

 

“We are delighted to be back inCrokeParkfor this year’s All Ireland Club Finals as the venue adds extra prestige to a momentous sporting occasion.

 

The opportunity of winning an All Ireland club title is something that all club camogie players aspire to. An All Ireland title at any grade is a huge honour, but a club All Ireland title is extra special because it is at club level where a player’s camogie career begins, where lifelong friendships are formed and where lasting bonds are created.

 

Clubs are an integral part of rural and urban communities and in many cases are the epicentres of activity in the area. Sunday’s double header finals will be a huge celebration of sport and also a demonstration of true community spirit in action as supporters rally to the cause.”

 

Wexford side Oulart the Ballagh recorded a convincing win over Antrim champions Loughgiel to book their final spot while a highly rated Drom/Inch side reached this year’s encounter following a superb win over champions Killimor in a re-fixed All Ireland semi-final on February 12^th.

 

Defending Intermediate champions Eoghan Rua will be hoping to complete memorable back-to-back All Ireland wins but face a formidable challenge in Ardrahan, who defeated a strong Lismore side to reach this year’s decider.

 

This is the second year that the All Ireland Camogie Club Finals are taking place inCrokePark. The finals returned to theDublinvenue after a break of almost 40 years in 2011.

 

This year’s final also marks the return of Cáman & Run, a solo and handpass relay race in which four representatives from senior and junior schools compete at half time. In addition the All Ireland Junior club champions, Inagh will be honoured as well as the Volunteer of the Year Award recipients.

Ronan Gormley, Ireland’s Men’s Hockey Captain, Speaks about the upcoming Electric Ireland FIH Road To London (Olympic Qualifiers)

Monday 27^th February

 

Four years ago, the Irish men’s Olympic dream unwound in gut-wrenching fashion in New Zealand. A three-way tie saw Ireland level with the Black Sticks as well as Argentina but they missed out on a one-off playoff for the final place at the Beijing Games by just a single goal on goal difference.

While many would wracked their brains, wondering where an extra goal could have been eked out over the five game group phase, current Irish skipper Ronan Gormley admits it is something he never really dwelt on. He simply states that the side “performed well”. Indeed, focus on performance is a theme which runs through Gormley’s thoughts in spite of a 12-month period which has seen a string of wins.

 

Among their most recent successes was an epic 5-4 result against a rising Belgian force, a side already qualified for the Games.

When asked whether he was in anyway concerned by some mixed results in the build-up for the Olympic qualifier, which starts on March 10 in Belfield, he is genuinely surprised.

“Until that question, I hadn’t even thought of it. Focus is on performance. It’s nice to get results. There isn’t really excitement in the build-up games as such when you do [beat Belgium].

“It’s another match ticked off; what did we do well and what can we learn for the next match? There’s handshakes and a pat on the back but, after the match, results against that sort of opposition are accumulating. It’s not something you have a skip and a jump about it.”

Last summer, one of the results that announced Ireland as an emerging contender on the world stage was a 5-1 victory over world number six side Korea but Gormley adds what looked a ground-breaking win for supporters was greeted in the same manner.

“It was very similar. It was very matter of fact when we walked off the pitch. We’re going to do the same thing, do our warm down then watch the video, rest and then go again the next day.”

 

The Asian side, nonetheless, are the biggest hurdle to be overcome in the Electric Ireland FIH Road To London (Olympic qualifier) and are fresh from an incredible comeback series win against New Zealand.

“Korea are the top ranked side so it’s obvious to say they are the calibre team. Malaysia, we’ve had some good battles with them in the past, tight margins so both teams are big challenges. Chile are quite hungry as a lower ranked team; they always fight hard while we’ve had the better of Russia in the last while but they have  beaten other higher ranked opposition so need to be taken care of as well.”

On the face of it, Malaysia and Ireland look set for a showdown on the second Saturday of the competition (17th March). The south-east Asian side have been inconsistent with a victory over the Netherlands followed by an 8-1 capitulation to Australia, something which Gormley says makes them both “dangerous and weak at the same time”.

 

Should Ireland continue their recent upward curve, though, they will be a side to beat. Injury has created some headaches – Gormley among them along with corner specialist John Jermyn – but these appear to be clearing up in good time.

For instance, the skipper came back to the fray in the last of the recent series with Spain in Alicante.

“It was quite early to make the comeback but it reacted really well in the first few days on the couch with my leg elevated, watching the golf and the US Open tennis!

“There are a few niggles but there’s strength in depth. A lot of players were used last year who can step in if they don’t quite make it. But everyone is pulling through now. You’re never going to get away in elite sport – especially with hockey’s intensity – with zero injuries. Last year, we were incredibly lucky. This year, we just have to deal with it.”

The other pressure may come from a sense of expectation after a 2011 which yielded three trophies and a best ever European championships finish but riding such a wave is a positive in Gormley’s eyes.

“It’s a tournament at home and we take great positives from that. There are potential distractions if you let your mind wander but we have been able to control that before. In Monchengladbach [at the Europeans] and the Champions Challenge II a couple of years back, so we have a history of dealing with such pressure.

“Having vocal Irish support there is great and I hear tickets are flying out so I look forward to playing in front of lots of familiar faces and lots of noise.

“The guys just do what they do. We’ve been doing it for the last two or three years, made lots of progress and hopefully can keep doing it. However that affects the public here – if it does so in a positive way – that’s superb for Irish hockey.”

 

Written by Stephen Findlater on behalf of the Irish Hockey Association

 

The Tournament, Electric Ireland FIH Road to London, takes place in UCD, Dublin from 10^th – 18^th March 2012

Triathlon Ireland offer Irish athletes the chance to compete for their country at age group or non elite level at a range of European and World Championship events each year.

 

2011 was a record year for Triathlon Ireland with over 100 athletes representing Ireland at European and World Championships in a variety of distances. 2011’s most popular race was the European Triathlon Championships in Pontevedra, Spain where 49 Irish triathletes battled it out against the best age group athletes in Europe.

 

Mark Horan  took gold in the Men’s 30-34 age group while Cork man Mark Nolan and Limerick lady Andree Walkin also made the podium each taking third place in their age group.

 

In 2011 the Triathlon World Championships was held in Beijing where Ireland had a team of 9 age group representatives and 3 elite athletes travel. Deidre Casey took a superb gold in the 25-29 age group, making the long trip worthwhile.

 

If you fancy representing Ireland in the fastest growing sport in the country now is the time to start training. Triathlon Ireland has just opening applications for the 2013 European and World Championships.

 

With the World Championships just a stone’s throw away in London and the European Championships in Turkey, Triathlon Ireland CEO, Matt McKerrow expects to see a big team travelling. “Ireland has 20 slots available per age group per gender so we could have a couple of hundred people competing for us at the World Championship. There’s always a great atmosphere around these races and with it being in London the Irish support will be that much better.”

 

If you’re looking for a different challenge Triathlon Ireland are also taking applications for the Off Road and Long Distance European and World Triathlon Championships and for those who are not natural swimmers there is always the European and World Duathlon Championships.

For more information on age group selection see www.triathlonireland.com

Pic: Sportsfile: Conor Devitt and Amy Brogan celebrate after they finish the Sprint Distance European Championships in Spain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Irish Sailing Association (ISA) is delighted to announce its partnership with Dubarry of Ireland for the ISA Dubarry 6th Annual National Conference. The event will take place on the 3rd of March in the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin to launch what will be one of the most exciting years for watersports in Ireland with so many major international events being hosted in Ireland as well as the participation of the Irish Olympic Sailing team in London 2012.
Dubarry of Ireland Marketing Director, Michael Walsh remarked “2012 is the celebration of Dubarry’s 75^th year in business, having been established in 1937 in County Galway. Dubarry have had a very long association with sailing in Ireland down the years and we are delighted to sponsor this ISA National Conference in a year that is very special for us. We also have the Volvo Ocean Race coming to Galway with a strong on board Dubarry product presence on both Telefonica and Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing”.

 

The ISA Conference has undergone a revamp for 2012. With many high profile events coming to Irish shores this year it is important for the ISA to provide a platform from which to increase awareness of sailing which in turn will drive incremental participation in the sport.

 

The one day conference, which will be facilitated by RTE broadcaster Fergal Keane, will host seminars and workshops across a range of interesting topics including the latest training and racing topics, raising money, running successful events and media management delivered by guest speakers.

Among the many seminars, Failte Ireland will be presenting their Marine Leisure Marketing Strategy for 2012 as well as detailing how international events benefit Ireland’s tourism industry. Learn more about the international events Ireland will be hosting including the ISAF Youth Worlds, Cork Week, Round Ireland, the Volvo Ocean Race and many more.

 

With three ISA Olympic Teams having already qualified for London 2012, the ISA High Performance Manager James O’Callaghan will be delivering an Olympic Update as we follow the athletes as they prepare for the pinnacle of four years of training.

 

ISA Chief Executive Harry Hermon states “We are delighted to welcome Dubarry on board as title sponsors of the ISA Annual Conference and wish them continued success during their 75^th year in business. The ISA Dubarry 6^th Annual National Conference is free for all ISA members and we are looking forward to a strong attendance at this year’s event so we can pull all resources together to drive the sport forward”.
For more information go to www.sailing.ie/Conference.

The Irish Daily Star Leagues throw in on Sunday February 26^th with Wexford bidding to record a hat-trick of Division One titles.

Wexford vice-captain Catherine O’Loughlin, Galway’s Tara Ruttledge,Waterfordskipper Nicola Morrissey and Aishling Jackson of Antrim joined President of the Camogie Association Joan O’Flynn and Irish Daily Star Sports Editor Eoin Brannigan for the launch of the Irish Daily Star Leagues atCrokeParkthis afternoon.

This is the second year of the partnership between the Camogie Association and the Irish Daily Star.

Speaking at this afternoon’s launch President of the Camogie Association Joan O’Flynn:

“It’s great to be getting ready for another year of top camogie action, commencing with our leagues this coming Sunday. The National Leagues are of huge significance and have formed an important launching pad for future All Ireland success later in the year as shown by our current Division One and Two champions, Wexford andWaterfordwho secured Senior and Premier Junior titles, respectively last September.

The Camogie Association values the enormous contribution of a strong national brand like the Irish Daily Star in promoting the National Leagues.”

Ger Colleran, MD of the Irish Daily Star said:

“We at the Irish Daily Star are committed to providing the very best coverage of sport at all levels inIrelandto almost 400,000 readers.

Last season was our first year as sponsor of the Irish Daily Star Camogie Leagues and it proved to be a great success. We got a great reaction to our enhanced weekly coverage of the games and this helped cement our position asIreland’s premier sporting newspaper.

We have enjoyed an excellent relationship with the Camogie Association over the years and we look forward to continuing this. We are honoured to be the title sponsor of the Irish Daily Star Camogie League again this year.”

Better Boards, Stronger Sport is a project that is led and inspired by the sports movement.  It is based on the premise that sports organisations must be empowered to take responsibility for setting the agenda and improving governance without regulation or compliance being dictated to them by outside regulators.  The project is based on the foundation that real improvement has to be driven by the sports movement itself because regulation will only achieve compliance and not drive improvement.

The project has received funding from the EU commission as part of the funding for Preparatory Action in the field of sport. The project empowers sport organisations to act on the issue of governance by establishing a broad understand of the key features of good governance in sport across Europe and developing case studies and tools to help organisations understand and achieve the features.

The project is a partnership:

Project Lead:

• The Sport and Recreation Alliance (UK)

 

Project Partners:

• Estonian Olympic Committee
• European Athletes as Student
• European Women in Sport
• Finnish Sports Federation
• Hungarian Sports Confederation
• Just Sport Ireland
• Polish Ministery of Sport and Tourism

The project will produce a toolkit that will include:

 

• the key features for good sports boards,
• case studies examples with action points outlining how to implement the features
• tools to help sports organisations achieve the key features.

 

The project team will consult the sports movement on the development of each part of the project to ensure that the final toolkit is created by the sports movement and will drive improvement.

This project is created and directed by the sports movement for the sports movement.  There will be consultations that we will make you aware of and we encourage you to input into the project to help make it a success.

For more information on the project please contact: sarah.oconnor@irishsport.ie

JOB PURPOSE

This internship is to help Badminton Ireland develop its online communications channels and to integrate these to the new website.

The successful applicant will be responsible for Badminton Ireland’s website, Facebook, Twitter
and YouTube channels.

KEY TASKS

• Coordinating/developing Badminton Ireland’s online channels integrating with the new website in development.
• Proactively publicising all activities to the online support base and maximising engagement
• Liaising with Badminton Ireland’s communication staff as required
• Preparing monthly online communication data reports