FEDERATION OF IRISH SPORT ANNUAL REVIEW 2014 WHY IRISH SPORT MATTERS It’s more than just sport… BOARD AND STAFF PROFILES BOARD STAFF IRISH PEOPLE LOVE SPORT Irish athletes now win 11 SARAH O’SHEA, Deputy SARAH O’CONNOR, Irish people times as many medals at CEO, FAI- Chairperson Chief Executive Officer participate in World and European events 2.5m sport every year €1.36bn as they did in 2000 the value of sport related volunteering carried out by the 500,000 adults who SARAH KEANE, CEO, CONN MCCLUSKEY, give up their time willingly each week 83% Swim Ireland- Secretary Support Services Officer of Irish children are involved in sport outside of school WARREN DEUTROM, ELAINE MOONEY, CEO, Cricket Ireland Administrator sports clubs in Ireland. Clubs are 5 of the top 20 most watched at the heart of Irish sport providing programmes on RTE last year opportunities for participation, fun, were sports events 12,000 camaraderie and competition HARRY HERMON, CEO, MARCUS CASEY, Irish Sailing Association Communications Intern SPORT CONTRIBUTES TO THE IRISH ECONOMY INCREASE IN FEDERATION CIARAN GALLAGHER, MEMBERSHIP CEO, Gymnastics Ireland €2.38bn €1,200 103 is generated each year by recreational the value added to the Irish economy, average amount spent by each angling, with 150,000 visitors 1.4% of GDP of the 163,000 golf visitors to LIAM HARBISON, CEO, supporting 10,000 jobs. Ireland. Paralympics Ireland 70 64 40,000+ HAMISH ADAMS, jobs are supported by sport in Ireland, CEO, Rowing Ireland 2.08% of all jobs. for every one euro invested in coaching by the GAA this generates 12 euros, returning AIDEEN, O’CONNOR, Co-ordinator, €97m €375m Dublin City Sports Network the value to the economy of the 99,000 IRFU’s estimated worth of rugby to the 2006 2010 2014 overseas visitors engaged in Equestrian tourism economy, with some 50% of that €54m activities each year income coming from overseas visitors to the economy MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT Sport is still too often seen by many as a hobby or pastime. Those of us involved in BERNARD BROGAN sport know it is much much more – be it the 40,000 jobs sport support in Ireland, the €1.9 billion in household spending sport stimulates, the €1 billion sport generates in tourism receipts each year, the 500,000 Irish adults sport inspires to go out and volunteer not to mention the on-going role sport does and can make to public health. I am delighted to take up the challenge of being President of the Federation. I am committed to spreading the message of the true value of sport to Ireland and ensuring it is recognised. Set out in the pages that follow are details of the wide and diverse contribution the Federation’s members have made to Irish life over the last 12 months. Government investment in Irish Sport enables much of this work. The reality is however that funding is not enough; other forms of support are also required to allow this work to continue and to be built on. Some of the policy measures we I have been lucky enough to have been involved in sport all my life. In recent would like to see initiated in 2015 to facilitate the further development of Irish times it has been playing for Dublin and my club, St. Oliver Plunkett’s that has Sport include: been the focus of my sporting endeavour but as a youngster I was involved in lots of different sports An opportunity I would like all Ireland’s young people • The extension of the tax relief in place for sporting bodies for capital projects to be afforded. to areas of current spend; As a result I have seen at first hand the benefits of being involved in sport. Be it the • The adoption of an overall policy or masterplan for Irish Sport encompassing friendships I have made, the places sport has taken me or the focus it provided me all areas of Government activities that impact on sport; and in trying to match my achievements on the field of play to my life away from sport. • Exploring whether a portion of betting tax receipts could be used to provide a More recently, I have made the transition into the business of sport establishing sustainable income stream for sport. Legacy Sports & Entertainment Consultants with my cousin, James, evidence of my belief that sport is a sector that does and can play an even bigger role in the economic The Federation is committed to working in a collaborative way. The aim for Irish and social life of Ireland. Sport must be to improve the lives of all who come in contact with sport and to do our best to afford more opportunities to those not yet partaking. Sport has I have watched from afar how in recent years the Federation of Irish Sport has not improved my life. I know that it can have a positive impact on the lives of all of just united Irish Sport under one umbrella but has also made significant strides in Ireland’s people. It will however need all of those involved in sport – Government, raising awareness of the multiple dividends sport provides to both the economic and Business as well as Sport itself to work together to make that goal a reality. Let’s social life of the country. I now look forward to playing a part. hope 2015 will see some of these important developments get underway. I am delighted that the Government have not made any further reductions in funding Is mise le meas, for sport in 2015 and pleased to have played a part in that campaign. However, I do believe that the full potential of sport to Ireland has not yet being maximised. Bernard Brogan MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO 2014 has also seen a much closer working relationship between the Federation and Fáilte Ireland with a view to encouraging and providing support to Federation SARAH O’CONNOR members regarding the hosting of international sports conferences and events in Ireland. The International Skating Union held their bi-annual Congress in Dublin early this year generating a return of over €1 million in the process. The FAI successfully secured matches from the Euro 2020 Championships for Dublin whilst, a number of other bids including one for the IPC European Swimming Championships 2018 are underway. Developments at the National Sports Campus have continued apace with the Community Pitches being officially opened in January, both the GAA & the FAI breaking ground on their developments, a number of high performance swimmers now being accommodated on site with boxers hopefully to follow in 2015. Work has also commenced on an extension to the Irish Institute of Sport as well as a shared changing room/conference facility. It is intended that work on the long awaited National Indoor Training Centre to include a multi-sport hall, indoor Irish Sport has flourished in final straight of 2014. Three boats qualifying for athletics track, national gymnastics centre as well as top quality strength and Rio 2016, Rory sealing a USPGA, a cracking win by Kilkenny in the All-Ireland conditioning facilities will commence in 2015. Hurling Final, Paul McGinley captaining the European Team to a win over the USA at Gleneagles, two silver medals at the World Cycling Championships, Minister Varadkar, then Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport made some a clean sweep in the Autumn Internationals, Katie Taylor securing a record positive statements around the Government’s commitment to sport at our Annual equalling fifth World Championship. All in the last three months! Conference in 2014 noting; These results which showcase Ireland on the world stage whilst causing reason for celebration here at home thankfully, have been matched by positive findings “The goal has always been from day one to maintain and protect as regarding participation levels. The Irish Sport’s Council’s 2013 Irish Sports Monitor shows that sports participation rates have increased from 44.8% in 2011 to 47.2%. much as possible Government resources for Sport and to ensure the Female participation is also up increasing by some 3.7%. continued development of all sport in the State. The Government Investment in sport is paying dividends both in terms of participation and improved is very much aware of the need to promote sports and physical consistency in performance on the international stage across a number of sports. activity and to support NBGs in the work that they do and also However, to view the contribution of sport only in this context is much too narrow a focus and denies the varied and significant impact sport has on Irish Society. to strive to provide the best sporting facilities that we can. We therefore welcome the developments over the last year in terms of the And that’s not just for elite sportspeople but it’s also for Women acknowledgement by the Department of Health of the key role physical activity in Sport and participation programmes for older people as well. has to play as part of the Healthy Ireland framework. We look forward to working That’s why we would be determined as much as possible to protect with them both in the context of the Healthy Ireland Council and the National Physical Activity Plan which will be published next year. that funding stream. Minister Varadkar’s statement was followed in the context of Budget 2015 by contribution of sport within Parliament. We look forward to working with them to Minister Paschal Donohoe and Minister Ring being successful in ensuring there further developing this understanding next year.