Federation of Irish Sport proudly support Ballyfermot Training Centre New Sports Industry Traineeship

Mar 28, 2023

A new Sports Industry Traineeship was officially launched by Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne T.D. This traineeship is a collaboration between Ballyfermot Training Centre and the Federation of Irish Sport through a shared vision of supplying qualified and experienced workers to the sports industry.

Ballyfermot Training Centre has a long history of training in the area of sports and recreation. Pre Covid over 64,000 people were employed in the sports industry accounting for nearly 3% of the labour market. Since covid and the reopening of industry, a need for the supply of qualified sports workers arose and presented an opportunity for the Centre to develop a traineeship to meet the skills shortage. Through a number of focus groups, key skills for the sports industry were identified and the course was modelled to deliver those skills through on the job and off the job training.

A traineeship gives those on the course the opportunity to be placed with an industry partner for a minimum of 10 weeks, developing essential skills, and building relationships within the organisation. This model of traineeship in Ballyfermot Training Centre has seen 95% of trainees secure full time work with their host companies.

The course will launch in April 2023 and registration for those interested in the course is now open. Those who succeed in securing a place and completing the course will gain QQI and industry relevant certification that is recognised throughout the world.

City of Dublin ETB is looking forward to working with their new partners to successfully train and prepare their learners for a career in the sports industry. Further information can be found on www.ballyfermottrainingcentre.ie

Speaking about the Traineeship, Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne T.D., said: “Collaboration between further education training centres and industry can ensure that skilled and enthusiastic workers enter the labour market with fit for purpose skills and a foundation of relevant work experience. Gaining qualifications is central to longevity in employment and this is excellently showcased in this new and exciting Sports Industry Traineeship. I am delighted to note that the traineeship will have its first intake of students in April 2023 and I am confident that the sports industry will positively benefit from this collaboration.”

Caroline Duggan, Assistant Manager of Ballyfermot Training Centre, said of the course:

This traineeship marks an important milestone for Ballyfermot Training Centre, ensuring that sport in Ireland, and in particular the greater Dublin Area, will benefit from the skilled trainees that learn their trade in our centre. Working closely with Mary O’Connor, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport,

has allowed us to engage with a network of sports industry bodies and organisations, enabling the course to be developed to meet the varied needs in all areas of the sports industry, from sports development to facility operations. Sport is such an important vehicle in building communities. Our Training Centre, as part of City of Dublin ETB, value our relationships with both community and industry, and we look forward to working with the Federation of Irish Sport, Ireland Active, CARA, and the numerous NGB’s to ensure that we continue to grow and develop opportunities for those interested in working in the sport sector to enhance the sporting and physical activity opportunities for all.

Mary O Connor CEO, Federation of Irish Sport

The traineeship is another important development for the sport industry in Ireland.  The value of skilled trainees coming in to the sector builds capacity and creates opportunities for more people to participate in sport and physical activity, while ensuring that the sector also can ensure expertise and a diverse skillset in the workplace. The federation of Irish sport are delighted to work with Ballyfermot training centre on this innovative and forward thinking traineeship.

VOLUNTEERS IN SPORT FROM ALL 32 COUNTIES CELEBRATED AT THE 2022 VOLUNTEERS IN SPORT AWARDS

Mar 23, 2023

The Federation of Irish Sport celebrated the winners of the 2022 Volunteers in Sport Awards proudly supported by the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships at a luncheon awards ceremony at The Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown. The special guest speaker at the awards Thomas Byrne, Minister of State with responsibility for Sport & Physical Education, presented the recipients from each county with a custom-made medal recognising their amazing dedication to volunteering across a variety of different sports. In addressing the gathering he said “….Volunteering is the backbone of sport in this country. From the grassroots to the board room we need volunteers, we depend on volunteers.”

In addition to the 32 county award winners, the overall Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to Aislinn Nugent of Valleymount LGFA from Co. Wicklow in special recognition of her promotion of inclusivity, community spirit, health and well-being through Sport in the community for over 20 years.

The Volunteers in Sport Awards celebrate the contributions of the band of volunteers across the country who give their time to Irish sport and physical activity every year. This equates to approximately 37.3 million hours of volunteering across Ireland’s 13,000 registered sports clubs and associations and, according to Sport Ireland’s 2021 ‘Researching the Value of Sport in Ireland’ report, is worth an estimated €1.5bn to the exchequer.

#DedicatedToTheDedicated

For more information on the awards, visit our awards website: http://www.volunteersinsport.ie

Full list of winners for the 2022 Federation of Irish Sport Volunteer in Sport awards proudly supported by the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships

WINNERS ANNOUNCED! VOLUNTEERS FROM ALL 32 COUNTIES TO BE HONOURED AT THE 2022 FEDERATION OF IRISH SPORT VOLUNTEERS IN SPORT AWARDS

Mar 13, 2023

The awards ceremony will take place at The Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown on 22nd March 2023

The Federation of Irish Sport has today announced the winners of the 2022 Volunteers in Sport Awards proudly supported by the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships. The special guest speaker at the awards is Thomas Byrne, Minister of State with responsibility for Sport & Physical Education, which will take place on 22nd March at The Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown and will see volunteers from all 32 counties honoured for their amazing dedication to volunteering across a variety of different sports.

 The Volunteers in Sport Awards celebrate the contributions of the band of volunteers across the country who give their time to Irish sport and physical activity every year. This equates to approximately 37.3 million hours of volunteering across Ireland’s 13,000 registered sports clubs and associations and, according to Sport Ireland’s 2021 ‘Researching the Value of Sport in Ireland’ report, is worth an estimated €1.5bn to the exchequer.

Throughout December and early 2023 members of the public, sports clubs and governing bodies were invited to nominate an individual whose contribution to sport and physical activity in Ireland has made a real difference to their community, club, or county. Following a shortlisting process by the Selection Committee, the judging panel consisting of 9 individuals drawn from sports administration, academia, the volunteer community and media, and included former Director General of the GAA, Paraic Duffy, RTÉ Sports Broadcaster, Marie Crowe, Roddy Guiney, Chair WHPR and Clare McGrath, Chairperson of the Federation of Irish Sport.

In addition to the 32 county-level award winners, an overall Outstanding Achievement Award will be revealed at the awards celebration on the 22nd  March.

Commenting on the awards, Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne TD said:

“The volunteers being recognised today deserve enormous credit. Their work, often unseen and undertaken without any fuss or fanfare, makes sport a reality for hundreds if not thousands of people in their communities. In particular, the work of volunteers enables young people to play the sport that they love, to meet their friends and form lasting friendships. In so many ways, volunteers are the lifeblood of sport in this country, and I am privileged to have this opportunity to publicly acknowledge their vital contribution to Irish sport.”

 Speaking about the importance of the awards, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport, Mary O’Connor said:

“In every county throughout the country, clubs and sporting organisations facilitate multi-generational opportunities for people to be involved in sport and physically activity. The work and goodwill of sport volunteers across the country cannot be taken for granted… Every week in Ireland more than 450,000 volunteers bring sport and physical activity to life for our communities and it’s time we afford their hard work the recognition it deserves. It is therefore important that we showcase the size and scale of this contribution by bringing such volunteers together today at the Volunteers in Sport Awards with attendees from every county in the country to shine a spotlight on the positive work they do for sport and physical activity.”

CEO Sport Ireland, Dr. Una May commented: “I would like to congratulate all the winners at the Volunteers in Sport Awards. Sport Ireland and its network of Local Sports Partnerships are delighted to recognise the invaluable contribution of volunteers to the promotion of sport and physical activity in Ireland. The LSPs collaborate with and depend on the remarkable dedication of volunteers to create opportunities for all members of the community to participate in sport and physical activity. This ensures a culture where sport and physical activity is inclusive and accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or abilities. We are grateful for the inspiring efforts of the volunteers being celebrated today, and all volunteers across the country, who help us achieve this.”

 Head of Louth Sports Partnership, Graham Russell said:

”As the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships, we are each individually committed to supporting volunteers in our local Clubs, sporting organisations and other non-sporting groups that assist in making opportunities available within their own communities for people to enjoy all forms of physically activity. We are privileged to see, first hand, the amazing work these people do, and we are all delighted to see these local volunteers getting recognition at National level.”

Full list of winners for the 2022 Federation of Irish Sport Volunteer in Sport awards proudly supported by the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships

2023 Annual Leaders Forum: ‘Leadership in Sport and the Road Ahead’

Mar 1, 2023

We were delighted to welcome Minister for Sport & Physical Education Thomas Byrne TD and Department Representatives to speak at our Annual Leaders Forum this morning. There was a packed room of NGB CEO’s, LSP Managers and Volunteer Leaders in Sport as well as online Member Leaders zooming in from all across the country. The Department gave an in-depth review and update on the National Sports Policy Plan.

The Federation CEO Mary O’Connor gave an overview of the work of the Federation relating to taxation reform, Alliance for Insurance Reform, the upcoming Volunteers in Sport Awards, the Irish Sport Industry Awards and preparations for Budget 2024. Also speaking at the event was HR Specialist Una Clifford of HR Nua who discussed leadership in sport and challenges facing CEOs.

FEDERATION OF IRISH SPORT WELCOMES CONTINUED GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT IN THE SPORTS SECTOR

Feb 14, 2023

National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships to receive total of €26m in Core Funding Allocations

14^th February 2023: The Federation of Irish Sport welcomes the announcement made today on the continued investment in the sports sector by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts Gaeltacht, Sport and Media through Sport Ireland. There is an increase of 6% in National Governing Body investment with a total Core Funding level of €16m. While the Local Sports Partnerships have received €10.3 million in investment.

The Federation has continually advocated to Government for continuous support to the sector to enable it to deliver its important work across the island of Ireland from grassroot community sport to high performance. The resilience and vibrancy of the sector post Covid is a testament to the professional staff and volunteers in sport and physical activity. This support of the sector is essential to achieve the National Sport Policy goals. The sport and physical activity sector in Ireland is worth €3.7bn GVA to the Irish economy and employs circa 64,000.

For full details of the Core Funding allocations go to: https://www.sportireland.ie/news/eu26m-core-grant-investment-package-for-2023-2

ENDS

For more information contact:

Clare Louise O’Donoghue

Federation of Irish Sport

Commercial & Business Services Manager

clarelouise.odonoghue@irishsport.ie

086 0437887

Sport Ireland announce Cost of living increases for Sporting Organisations in €26m Core Grant Investment package for 2023

Feb 14, 2023

Sport Ireland

Media Release

14^th February 2023

Cost of living increases for Sporting Organisations in €26m Core Grant Investment package for 2023

• €16m investment for 58 National Governing Bodies of Sport
• €10.3m investment for 29 Local Sports Partnerships

Sport Ireland today announced an investment of over €26m to National Governing Bodies for Sport (NGBs) and to the network of Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) for 2023.

This year’s figures see a €1m (6%) increase in allocation to the National Governing Bodies on 2022 funding. The total core funding to the NGBs in 2023 is €16m.

This increased investment provides Sport Ireland with an opportunity to support the majority of governing bodies with a cost-of-living increase for 2023 along with continued targeted investment in a number of specific areas.

The rising costs of sports administration is also acknowledged by Sport Ireland, with NGBs having been provided with additional funding to absorb this expenditure.

Investment into the Local Sports Partnerships has maintained the same level of support for 2023, with a total investment of €10,365,000 being allocated across the 29 Local Sport Partnerships.

Human resourcing in the Local Sports Partnerships has been prioritised, with additional funding for the resourcing of Local Sports Partnership Development Officers and Sport Inclusion Disability Officers to assist with the ongoing vital work being undertaken across the country.

Age & Opportunity will receive €620,000 for their “Go for Life” programme, while Cara Sport Inclusion Ireland will receive €140,000 for Disability Awareness and Disability Inclusion programmes.

The Federation of Irish Sport and Student Sport Ireland will receive €125,000 and €70,000 respectively.

Speaking about the investment package, Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne T.D., said: “This significant funding package will support the implementation of important programmes and activities through the National Governing Bodies of Sport and the Local Sports Partnerships in 2023 and is a critical support for the sector and for the ongoing implementation of the National Sports Policy 2018 – 2027. Cost of living pressures are having an impact across the sector and the increased funding announced today, allied to the significant cost of energy supports provided by Government, will ensure that sports clubs across the country are supported in addressing the challenge of rising costs.”

Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, Una May, commented: “The Core Grant Funding will enable Sport Ireland to further support our National Governing Bodies of Sport and Local Sports Partnerships to provide equal opportunities in sport for everyone. The National Sports Policy 2018-2027 has provided the framework for Sport in Ireland to continue to grow and this investment through the NGBs and LSPs will play an important part in increasing activity levels of people in Sport in Ireland and removing the barriers and preventative aspects for getting involved in sport.”

As with previous funding announced, the investment is closely aligned with the National Sports Policy 2018-2027 and the National Physical Activity Plan. A particular emphasis is placed on implementing programmes to promote physical activity, making sport and physical activity accessible to people with a disability and the development of programmes to address transitions and increase volunteer supports.

ENDS.

For more Information contact:

Fergus Hannigan

Marketing and Branding Manager | Sport Ireland

087 364 4364 | fhannigan@sportireland.ie

Notes to the Editor:

Local Sports Partnerships Funding Breakdown

*An additional €400,000 will be allocated in due course upon project approval.