As announced by Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin TD this week, Sport Ireland revealed its investment package for the National Governing Bodies for Sport and High Performance Programs for the year 2018. A total of €20.7m (~$25.7m USD) is included in the announcement, €10.8m (~$13.4m USD) of which is directed to National Governing Bodies for Sport (NGBs).
Griffin TD said, “I am pleased to announce the 2018 funding for National Governing Bodies of sport through Sport Ireland Core Grant Funding, the Sport Ireland Women in Sport programme 2018, and our High Performance programmes 2018. The valuable work of our national governing bodies in providing opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to get involved in sport cannot be underestimated. The funding announced today will support this vital work, as well as furthering Ireland’s ambitions at the highest level on the international stage. 2017 was a fantastic year for Irish teams and athletes and we look forward to that success continuing into 2018 with this funding enhancing our programmes and assisting our athletes to reach their potential.”
The entire funding plan with sport breakdowns can be seen here.
The highest percentage increase in funding from 2017 to 2018 was seen in the sport of Motor Cycling, as the discipline doubled its allotment from 24,000 from last year to 48,000 this year. Martial Arts also saw a healthy increase of 50% from 2017 to 2018, while Canoeing Ireland received a 5.1% increase. Although most of the Ireland’s sports are set to receive the same funding amounts from last year, including Swim Ireland, some did see a decrease, as was the case with Horse Sport. That area will see its funding reduced by 2.5%.
A possible funding decrease could also be assigned to the Irish American Football Association, whose 2018 figure has yet to be set. 2018 Funding for Irish American Football Association will be allocated on the successful completion of an ongoing Governance Review. It’s amount in 2017 was $23,000.
Although Sport Ireland identified it will continue to invest in the Women in Sport Programme, with 600k allocated to Women in Sport initiatives, there was a decrease in this area specifically for Swim Ireland to the tune of 21%. Their 70,000 allotment was reduced to 65,000, although it is still the 2nd highest total behind just Basketball Ireland, who also saw a single digit percentage decrease of 2.
The Women in Sport Programme, per the Sport Investment Plan, the was established with an aim to increase women’s participation in sport, including non-participatory opportunities through volunteering and coaching with support through appropriate training and education and to improve access to sport and physical activity through provision of information and resources.
Swim Ireland said via Twitter this week, “We are delighted to be receiving €827K in Core Funding that was announced by @sportireland today. The funding will go a long way towards supporting our Clubs & Members.”
