from Federation of Irish Sports Features in this issue
• FEDERATION CALL FOR AMENDMENT TO CHARITIES BILL AS CURRENTLY DRAFTED
The Charities Bill which is currently making its way through the Oireachtas specifically excludes sporting organisations. The Federation is seeking to have this reversed and needs your support. Read below for more.
• MESSAGE THAT PERFORMANCE CULTURE IS KEY DELIVERED AT FEDERATION CONFERENCE
The Federation teamed up with the Law Society of Ireland to deliver a conference in relation to the organisation, structure and governance of sport, the key message being that building capacity is essential to future success. Read below for more.
• MINISTER CULLEN RESPONDS TO PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS
Martin Cullen, Minister for Arts, Sport & Tourism answered Dáil Questions on November 19th. Issues raised included National Lottery Funds, Sports Campus, Sports Capital Programme, GAA Player Grants and the Olympic Games. Please see below for more.
• UK REPORT STATES DOWNTURN TO AFFECT SMALL SPORTS
A recent UK report gives warning that the most vulnerable clubs and sports will suffer the worst of the economic downturn while the traditional big sports survive on their earnings from around the globe. Please read below for more details.
• SONIA O’ SULLIVAN ELECTED TO OCI
Sonia O’Sullivan, Olympic Silver medallist and 3 time Olympian has been elected on to the Olympic Council of Ireland Executive Committee, and will play an important part in the build up to the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Please read below for more.
• DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL & SPORTS DEVELOPMENT
The Federation’s November networking lunch was held in conjunction with DCC Sport to outline the sports development initiatives being undertaken by DCC in Dublin City. Please read below for more details.
• ISA LAUNCH OLYMPIC FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
The Irish Sailing Association (“ISA”) are to embark on a multi-million euro fund raising campaign to train and support its Olympic hopefuls aiming for a place at the 2012 Games. Please read below for more.
• JOBS IN SPORT
Please see below for current job opportunities in Irish Sport
• NEW APPOINTMENTS IN IRISH SPORT
Paul Revington to lead Irish Hockey preparations for London 2012, while Irish Squash appoint Chris Traynor as their new Chief Operating Officer.
FEDERATION CALL FOR AMENDMENT TO CHARITIES BILL AS CURRENTLY DRAFTED
The Charities Bill, 2007 as currently drafted specifically excludes “bodies established for and existing for the sole purpose of promoting athletic or amateur games or sports[1]” from the remit of the legislation thereby denying sporting organisations the opportunity to obtain charitable status. This is a departure from the current position under Charity Law and instead, gives legislative underpinning to what heretofore has been Revenue Practice[2].
The Federation of Irish Sports, as the representative body for over 60 National Governing Bodies of Sport (“NGBs”) is seeking to have this exclusion removed from the Charities Bill on the basis that sporting organisations should be viewed as coming within the existing legal definition of “charitable purpose” which includes any “purpose that is of benefit to the community[3]” on the basis that:
• Sport has a key role to play in the promotion of health & the prevention of disease in Irish Society[4]. Recent research by the ESRI has found that participants in physical activity are the equivalent of 14 years younger in health terms[5].
• Sport is the primary vehicle for active citizenship and volunteerism in Irish Society[6]with an estimated 15% of the adult population of Ireland volunteering for sporting activity in the course of each year. This has been recognised in the Report of the Taskforce on Active Citizenship[7].
• Sport advances community welfare and development[8]. This is recognised in the National Development Plan 2007-2013 which recognizes the importance of sport to the social infrastructure stating at page 222, “Participation in sport, whether at the level of competitive sport, recreational sport or active leisure activity can yield physical and psychological well being as well as fostering social development both in terms of the individual and the community.” The NDP goes on to recognize the role of sport in “building stronger communities.”
The obtaining of charitable status is of vital importance to sporting organisations because failure to allow such a designation will:
• Prevent sporting organisations, the vast majority of whom operate on very limited financial resources and are heavily reliant on government funding through grants administered by the Irish Sports Council, from accessing various fundraising streams including philanthropy, legacy giving, charitable bequests etc.
• Exclude sporting organisations from many “soft benefits” associated with charitable status including eligibility for grants, corporate social responsibility programmes etc.
• Deny sporting organisations the legitimacy that will derive from the improved regulatory regime laid out by the Charities Bill, 2007 in relation to charitable organisations.
The Bill was debated in the Seanad on Wednesday with the exclusion of sport being specifically referred to by a number of Senators including, Jerry Buttimer, FG, David Norris, Ind, Paul Coghlan, FG, Feargal Quinn, Ind, Terry Leyden, FF and Cecilia Keaveney, FF.
The Federation of Irish Sports is calling on ALL sporting organisations to contact their local Fianna Fáil, Green Party and Independet TDs and Senators asking them to speak to the Minister responsible, John Curran TD with a view to him giving serious consideration to accepting our amendments and that he consider the seriousness of excluding sports from the Bill. The Bill is due at Committee Stage in the Seanad on Thursday next and it is therefore important that contact be made with your relevant political representative as soon as possible.
Please do not hesitate to contact Sarah O’Connor on 086 804 8446 or sarah.oconnor@irishsports.ie should you require any further information or explanations in this regard.
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[1]S2 Charities Bill, 2007
[2]Revenue Practice heretofore has been not to grant amateur sport organisations charitable status: Revenue Leaflet CHY 1 Applying for Relief from Tax on the Income and Property of Charities
[3]Camille & Henry Dreyfus Foundation v. CIR (36 TC 126). S3(1) Charities Bill, 2007
[4]S10(d) Charities Bill, 2007 – “The promotion of health, including the prevention or relief of sickness, disease or human suffering.”
[5]Sporting Lives: An Analysis of a Lifetime of Irish Sport ESRI (Lunn) May 2008
[6]S10(c) Charities Bill, 2007 – “The promotion of civic responsibility or voluntary work.”
[7] March 2007. www.activecitizen.ie
[8]S10(a) & 10(b) Charities Bill, 200
MESSAGE THAT PERFORMANCE CULTURE IS KEY DELIVERED AT FEDERATION CONFERENCE
The joint Federation and Law Society Conference held on Saturday 22nd November was designed for sporting regulators and the legal professionals who advise them. The conference provided a comprehensive overview of the structural, governance and disciplinary issues facing sporting regulators.
The message delivered by all speakers which, included sports law specialists from Ireland and the UK as well as a number of Ireland’s leading sports administrators, was of the importance of good organisational structure and governance to the capacity building and ultimately success of a sporting organisation.
Sarah Keane, CEO of Swim Ireland, spoke passionately of the importance of building a performance culture in relation to the administration of sporting organizations. She said that often the word performance in a sporting context was related to athletes and coaches but that it was equally if not more important that this pursuit of excellence should also be relentlessly pursued by those involved in the administration and management of sport.
Keane emphasised the importance of “Good, Better, Best…..Never Rest until your good is better and your better is best.” She also stated that whilst sport is not a business it is important at least in respect of management that sport does adhere to sound business principles.
The emphasis of the day was very much on the practical with clear and concise explanations being provided of basis good governance principles, the incorporation process, the principles to be protected in any sporting disciplinary system and the legalities involved in the sponsorship and partnership.
This was backed up by case studies demonstrating how some of this worked in practice which including examining the restructuring of the FA in the UK following the Burns Report, the recent incorporation of the Irish Ladies Golfing Union and the Irish Ice Hockey Association, the restructuring of the FAI’s internal disciplinary procedures as well as the organisational and structural developments of Swim Ireland in recent years.
The conference was attended by over 100 with approximately 30 sports being represented. A copy of the materials can be provided to interested parties. Please do not hesitate to contact Deirdre Hopkins at (01) 625 1155 or deirdre.hopkins@irishsports.ie should you require a copy.
MINISTER CULLEN RESPONDS TO PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS
We have set out below a summary of the Minister’s responses to issues raised in the Dáil in relation to Sport on November 19th Last.
1. National Sports Campus
Minister Cullen confirmed that €4.4 million had been earmarked for the project in 2009. Whilst he acknowledged that there is not a huge allocation for the project next year he said that this did not mean that it could not get underway. The Minister acknowledged that if the full Phase 1 programme could not be completed which, he said is unlikely due to the fact that in the current economic climate they would not be in a position to spend the €160 million required over three years. He did however confirm that they would still be able to work on a number of significant projects, such as the national indoor training centre. Minister Cullen said that he was working with the National Sports Campus Development Authority how to make progress in this regard.
The Minister stated that the €4.4 million allocation for 2009 as detailed in the Estimates provided for some €2.4 million in current allocation for the administration and running costs of the NSCDA with the remaining €2million being a capital allocation. The capital allocation he confirmed will be used to refurbish the former meat control laboratory on the Abbotstown site as a new headquarters for the Irish Institute of Sport, work on which is due to commence in December with an anticipated completion date of mid-2009.
2. Olympic Games
Minister Cullen stated that the Irish Sports Council was currently undergoing a review of the preparations and performances at the 2008 Beijing Games so as to prepare for the London 2012 Games. He stated that the overall aim of the review is to make recommendations to the ISC in respect of structures, programmes and investment policy which should be pursued based on the outcomes of the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games. He said that he understood the review was to be completed shortly and would be published in December.
3. Irish Institute of Sport
The Minister stated that it was unlikely that he would set up the Institute on a solo statutory footing. He said that it was not necessary to do so and might not contribute anything. He said that the Institute has conveyed to him that it wants to have the structure in place and the key people to deliver the kind of training needed.
4. Meetings with Sports
The Minister confirmed that he had recently met with approximately 17 sports bodies. He said that their views on the various structures, what they believe works and does not, had been an eye opener for him He said that he was taking all that on board in looking at the overall structures and how we might progress in getting the maximum out of all the resources the government is providing.
5. GAA Player Grants
The Minister stated that in light of the economic constraints and the reduction in the Irish Sports Council’s allocation of funding in the 2009 Estimates, he was having discussions with the ISC on optimum funding options for next year so as to maintain existing programmes while building on recent progress. The future funding of the Gaelic Players Schemes he said would have to be considered in that context. The Minister said that whilst he would like to be in a position to provide the maximum amount of resources to every player or athlete in every sport, the resources available to him are finite. He said that taxpayers had invested vast resources in the 3 largest sports organizations, the GAA, the FAI and the IRFU and that whilst, there was nothing wrong with this he is convinced that with relatively small sums of money much greater success could be achieved including at Olympic and world level. He stated that some of the large sporting organizations have capacity to raise susbstantial sums of money. Minister Cullen stated that they are cash rich and while they make good use of the significant funds that flow through them this capacity is not present in other sports. He said that the questions was constantly asked why Ireland is not successful in some sports and that he wants fairness and for Ireland to do well in these sports. He noted that any assessment of the budget will show that in recent years the GAA, FAI & IRFU have received an incredible amount of resources from taxpayers. He said that whilst this was the proper course of action it is not sustainable. Minister Cullen said that a fundamental question arose as to whether the taxpayer should fund individuals who belong to strong and relatively wealthy organizations and that the question is whether this is sustainable.
6. National Lottery Funding
The Minister stated that he wished the money for the Sports Capital Programme came from the National Lottery. He said however that there is no abrogated tax to his Department marked “national lottery”. The national lottery money he said goes into the central Exchequer. The Minister went onto say that not a single cent of the money that comes in from the National Lottery goes to his Department. The money from the National Lottery goes to the Central Exchequer and every year, when the Estimates are prepared, he bids for resources to come to his Department. He said that if some of those resources happen to come from the National Lottery, that is fine but that he would point out that there is a widespread misunderstanding in this regard. He said that people around the country keep telling him that he has no worries as his funding comes from the National Lottery. His reply he said is that this is not the case and that Lottery money goes to the central Exchequer rather than his Department. Minister Cullen confirmed that he gets his share of the total income received by the Exchequer.
In answers to written questions the Minister however stated that since 2005 subheads in his Department that had previously been funded entirely by the proceeds of the National Lottery have been part-funded from Lottery Revenues with the balance being provided by the Exchequer. He said that National Lottery Funding as a percentage of total expenditure on all subheads that were part-funded by Lottery Revenues is as follows: 2005 – 65%, 2006 – 50%, 2007 – 52%, 2008 (estimate) – 56%, 2009 – not available yet.
7. Sports Facility Strategy
Martin Cullen stated that work on the National Sports Facilities Strategy is at an advanced stage. He said that the aim of the strategy is to provide high-level policy direction for future investment/grant assistance at national, regional and local level. The strategy is intended to identify the facilities requirement for sport so that participation at reasonable cost is feasible for those who wish to engage in sport at either amateur or elite level.
The Minister confirmed that a nationwide audit of sports facilities is being carried out in conjunction with the strategy and is being completed in stages to help speed up the availability of information. He confirmed that Phase one, which focuses on national and regional sports facilities, has now been completed. The Minister stated Phase Two was more complex on the basis that is seeking to establish a record of existing sports facilities at local level and identifying the need for future provision. This process he said was no underway with the assistance of local authorities who have been issued with guidelines to assist them in carrying out the audit. The Minister confirmed that the Strategy will be published once completed along with Phase One of the audit of sports facilities.
8. Swimming Pool Projects
The Minster confirmed that because of the current budgetary constraints, it is not intended to launch a new round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme at this time and that the matter will be reviewed again in 2009.
9. National Aquatic Centre
The Minister confirmed that the National Sports Campus Development Authority (“NSCDA”) has arranged for a financial assessment study to be carried out, which will benchmark the National Acquatic Centre against other equivalent facilities. He said that this work was now nearing completion. He said that this exercise together with the performance of the National Acquatic Centre since it reverted to the direct control of the Authority, will inform his decisions on the funding requirements of the Centre both in the short and longer terms.
10. Horse and Greyhound Racing Industries
The Minister confirmed that the Horse & Greyhound Racing Fund was established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001 for the purpose of giving support to both racing industries. Under the provisions of the Act, the Minister said that the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund receives a guaranteed level of finance based on excise duty on off-course betting in the preceding year, subject to a minimum level based on the year 2000 amount adjusted for inflation, subject to the limit on the total aggregate amount of the Fund. He confirmed that any shortfall in the amount generated by the excise duty is made up by direct Exchequer subvention. He confirmed that €69.719 million has been allocated to the Fund for 2009. He said that in 2004, the government put in place regulations to increase the limit of the Horse & Greyhound Racing Fund from €254 million to €550 million to continue the Fund for a further 4 years to 2008. A review of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund is currently underway and that any increase of the Fund Limit will require the approval of the Government and the Oireachtas. The Minister stated that the projections of revenue receipts through excise duties are a matter for his colleague, the Minister for Finance.
UK REPORT STATES DOWNTURN TO AFFECT SMALL SPORTS
One of the world’s leading sport business experts Professor Simon Chadwick, has indicated that the economic downturn will throw the spotlight on how Sport is run as an industry, pushing sports to innovate.
Professor Simon Chadwick, the Director of the Centre for the International Business of Sport at Coventry University, cited the example of the Chairman of the Football Association, Lord Triesman, questioning whether it is acceptable for football clubs to operate with £3 billion of accumulated debt. Chadwick suggests potential improvements will depend on the openness of those involved to learn and respond.
Chadwick stated that sports and teams with global brand appeal are likely to remain robust during the downturn, continuing to attract TV revenues, sales of merchandise, sponsorship and gate receipts. He suggested that the long-term acid tests will see observers need to look closely at the impact on match day attendances and how TV rights negotiations progress, as a barometer of the health and power of a sport.
However, Chadwick predicts a widening gap between sports’ rich and poor with smaller teams and sports possibly crowded out from the ‘big money’. “The Sports suffering the most from the downturn receive little mass-media coverage and therefore have limited appeal to sponsors and other commercial partners.”
Where crowd sizes are already low, the credit squeeze is placing even more pressure on the smaller professional clubs and sports and that means they need to do more than ever to survive or prosper.
Chadwick says: “Consumer spending is down and we have seen a rise in unemployment, so while sport’s emotional appeal makes it one of the most recession-busting industries around, it is not immune to the knock-on effects of the global financial meltdown. Size does matter in sport.
“While smaller sports and teams are in the midst of a bumpy ride, those deriving their support – financial or otherwise – from across the world are likely to remain strong, if not even grow in strength. The most recession-resistant sports will be ones that best stir national pride but also enhance their global appeal.”
Chadwick suggests tiers of impact exist in every sport. For example, in the case of football, the leading clubs such as Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, and the likes of new economic powerhouse, Manchester City, are expected to retain their broad appeal and commercial strength, particularly with overseas investment and fan base.
Simon Chadwick says that sport should see the credit crunch not only as a challenge to survive “but also an opportunity for the smartest sports, teams, companies and investors.” He adds: “It is forcing us to examine how things can be better run, better managed and better organised, for a brighter future for sport.”
SONIA O’ SULLIVAN ELECTED TO OCI
The Olympic Council of Ireland (“OCI”)Executive Committee was elected at the annual meeting on October 31st and will serve up to and including the London Games in 2012.
The entire Executive Committee that served in the run up to the 2008 Beijing Games was re-elected save for the election of 2000 Olympic 5,000 metres silver medallist, Sonia O’Sullivan. O’Sullivan taking the placing of baseball’s Mike Kindall.
Pat Hickey was re-elected unopposed to the position of OCI President, a position held since 1988. He will, however, be devoting his full and total attention to London 2012 and urged the Olympic sports to do everything in their power to make this Ireland’s most successful Olympics.
“London will be an Olympic Games in which there should be no excuses, whinges or complaints about travel, about acclimatisation, about medical support, about Village conditions, about time changes and so on,” he said. “This will be an Olympic Games in our home parish the nearest thing ever to Ireland hosting its own Games.
Hickey said the reason he was challenging everyone to make a very special effort towards London 2012 was because it will be the nearest we will ever get to having the Olympic Games in Ireland.
Officers elected:
President: Patrick Hickey — Judo (outgoing); First Vice President: William O’Brien — archery (outgoing); Second Vice President: John Delaney — football (outgoing); Hon General Secretary: Dermot Sherlock — boxing (outgoing); Hon Treasurer: Peadar Casey — rowing (outgoing).
Executive Committee: Susan Aherne — volleyball (outgoing); Mary Baneham — basketball (outgoing); Bobbie Begley — athletics (outgoing); Dermot Henihan — rowing (outgoing); Billy Kennedy — cycling (outgoing); Sonia O’Sullivan — athletics; Tom Rafter — fencing (outgoing).
DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL & SPORTS DEVELOPMENT
The Federation hosted their most recent networking lunch in conjunction with Dublin City Council (“DCC”) on 12th November in the new Ballyfermot Leisure Centre.
Cóilín O’ Reilly, DCC Sport Development and Recreation Coordinator outlined the work being done by DCC in the field of sports development. He highlighted in particular the programmes being initiated by DCC’s 11 Sports Development Officers and 5 Sport & Recreation Officers. He emphasised both the potential and the need for integration and engagement between DCC staff and the NGB Body.
Coilin stated that the aim of the Sport & Recreation Officers in particular was to promote Sport and Recreation amongst all citizens of Dublin through providing a range of activities aimed at getting people more physically active. These programmes are for all the citizens of Dublin City, with a special focus on new immigrant communities, children under ten, older people, people with disabilities, women and girls. He stated that the five Sport and Recreation Officers operating in the North West, Central, South East and North Central areas of Dublin City and encouraged NGBs to engage with them.
Coilin also outlined the role of the eleven Sports Development Officers and twSenior Sports Development Officers who work with youth at risk, involving them in the design and planning process of organised sports programmes.
Coilin also highligted the range of sporting facilities owned and operated by DCC including 5 Leisure Centres, 4 Sports Centres, 3 Swimming Pools (in addition to those in Leisure Centres), 2 Sports Halls, 2 Water Sports Facilities and a Golf Course. He confirmed that DCC were happy to make the facilities available to NGBs and encouraged all present to engage with DCC in this regard.
The networkign lunch was held at the newest of DCC’s Leisur Centres in Ballyfermot which is located on Blackditch Road, Ballyfermot and offers a wide range of facilities including 25 metre six-lane Pool, fully equipped Gymnasium, sauna and steam room, large Aerobic Studio and fully marked Sportshall.
All attendees were given a tour of the facility. The Networking Lunch was attended by a number of the DCC Sports & Recreation Officers and Sports Development Officers thereby providing a networking opportunity for the sports represented.
A copy of the presentation delivered by Coilin is available in the Resource Centre section of the Federation website by clicking here. Contact Details in respect of the DCC Sports & Recreation Officers, Development Officers and Facilities are also available on the Federation website.
For more information please contact Deirdre Hopkins at the Federation – 01 625 1155 or deirdre.hopkins@irishsports.ie or alternatively,
Ger Carty, Senior Sports Development Officer, Dublin City Council:
Email: gerard.carty@dublincity.ie Tel. 222 7857
Aaron Callaghan, Senior Sports Development Officer, Dublin City Council:
Email: aaron.callaghan@dublincity.ie Tel. 222 7853
ISA LAUNCH OLYMPIC FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
Ireland campaigned in five Olympic classes for the most recent Olympics suceeding in qualifying a boat in four of these classes. In total six sailors represented Ireland in Beijing and these were accompanied by six support staff with no medals being won. In comparison, Britain sent 18 sailors and 42 support staff, and competed in each of the eleven classes winning 4 gold medals, two silver and a bronze.
The British Olympic Campaign cost £22 million over 4 years. This sum being funded by National Lottery funding and corporate sponsorship provided by financial services company Skandia and car manufacturer Volvo. Volvo provide each of Britain’s top sailors with a vehicle.
The ISA estimate that €2.4 million (£1.9 million) was invested over four years in the lead up to Beijing largely through support received from the Irish Sports Council. This total amount represents less than 10% of the total British Spend. The ISA estimate that the annual spend required to reach Olympic medal winning standard is €1.5million (£1.2 million) per year.
Colm Barrington, the chairman of the ISA Olympic Steering Group (OSG), said that the correlation between investing in top class sailors and Olympic success is in no doubt.
He said: “Team GB, one of the world’s greatest performing sailing teams, has invested in their elite sailors structured programme over the last three Olympiad. Of the 47 medals won in Beijing, British sailing brought home six medals including four gold, one silver and one bronze.”
Speaking on the level of investment required Barrington stated:
“Now is the time to increase investment, and while some of this may come from the Sports Council, the current economic climate would suggest that such responsibilities will lie with the sailing community itself”.
In this regard, the Olympic Steering Group of the ISA have engaged 2into3 Ltd. – consultants who specialise in fundraising strategy – to examine potential long term funding streams to support Irish Olympic sailing success. While it is clear that there is genuine hunger for success and a desire for international competitiveness at Olympic level it is clear that there is a funding issue that needs to be addressed in order to be in with a chance for delivering this success.
JOBS IN SPORT
1. Special Olympics Ireland: Sports Training and Education Coordinator
Department: Sports
Reporting To: Director,
Contract: 9 month fixed term contract
Ref: S 909
Requirements:
• Knowledge of Coaching Ireland goals and objectives regarding coach education and development is desirable.
• A good understanding of Special Olympics is recommended.
• Good interpersonal and strong communication skills required.
• Strong planning skills to achieve long term objectives is required.
• A thorough knowledge of all aspects of Microsoft Office is essential.
Duties and Responsibilities:
• Act as the link with Coaching Ireland to maintain the standard of coach education and assist in the development of coaching materials for those sports not presently integrated into the Coaching Development Programme for Ireland (CDPI)
• Management of CDPI course administration.
• Improve the opportunities for coaches to undergo training in their chosen sports and actively encourage them to develop and enhance their coaching skills
• Maintain the relationships with the NGBs to sustain a long term commitment to Special Olympics Ireland
• Act as the link with the FAI Football for All Programme
• Improve the opportunities for athletes’ involvement in programmes including but not limited to coaching opportunities.
• Represent the Special Olympics Ireland programme in Coach Education as required.
• Interface with Manager, Competition Development and other Programme Managers on areas of interdependencies.
• Support the Regional Sports Development Officers in growing the programme.
• Develop and adhere to Sports Department budget in conjunction with the Department Director
• Participate in cross-functional training as required from time to time.
• Undertake any other assignments as may reasonably be requested by the Director, Sports.
Closing Date for Applications: Friday 28th November 2008.
Email; hr@specialolympics.ie or send to the below address:
Linda Tyrrell
Human Resources Generalist
Special Olympics Ireland
4th Floor
Park House
North Circular Road
Dublin 7
Tel. (01) 8691658
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2.Special Olympics Ireland: Administrative Assistant
JOB DECRIPTION
Job Title: Administrative Assistant
Department: Support Services
Reporting To: Director of Support Services
Contract: 6 month fixed term contract
Ref: SS 609
Summary of Role:
The purpose of this role is to provide assistance in the administration functions within the Support Services Department
Duties and Responsibilities:
• Assist with administration duties associated with the work of the Support Services department, in particular working closely with the Director and the Volunteer Programme
• Undertake receptionist duties as required within the Central Office
• Assist in the provision of secretarial support to the Support Services department, consulting with the Departmental Director when necessary to prioritise the workload
• Assist in the co-ordination and maintenance of filing
• To undertake photocopying, faxing, filing and shredding duties as required
• Assist in notifying all relevant personnel of planned meetings and assist in booking meeting rooms as necessary
• To assist with communications within the Department itself and with other Departments and Regions
• To take direction from the Director on a regular basis in relation to matters pertaining to the administration of the Support Services department
• Participate in cross-functional training as required from time to time
• Undertake any other assignments as may reasonably be requested by the Support Services Director
Closing Date for Applications: Friday 28th November 2008.
Email: hr@specialolympics.ie or send to the below address:
Linda Tyrrell
Human Resources Generalist
Special Olympics Ireland
4th Floor
Park House
North Circular Road
Dublin 7
Tel. (01) 8691658
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3.Comhairle Liathróid Láimhe na hÉireann: National Handball Manager
Comhairle Liathróid Láimhe na hÉireann (“Irish Handball Council”) is an independent games promotion unit within the Gaelic Athletic Association. This organisation has the responsibility for the promotion, development and organisation of handball at national, provincial and county level.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Comhairle Liathróid Láimhe na hÉireann now wish to recruit a National Handball Manager who will be responsible for the day-to-day management of all aspects of the Handball Council, proactively managing the performance of the full time team and the execution of the Council’s Strategic Plan in conjunction with the elected officers of the Council. The National Handball Manager’s position is a full time position based in Westward House, Croke Park. The position will report directly to the Uachtarán, Comhairle Liathróid Láimhe na hÉireann.
Duties & Responsibilities include:
• To work with the Handball Council and its associated committees.
• To act as servicing officer to An Coiste Bainistí and Ard Chomhairle, producing reports within agreed timeframes.
• To work with the volunteers at all levels in the Council on the promotion of handball
• To provide a comprehensive service to all handball units in the country, advising them on best practice in terms of infrastructural practices, fundraising practices and any other needs they may have.
• To maintain links with international associations.
• To meet with appropriate third party agencies including the Irish Sports Council, the Department of Sport and Tourism and to ensure appropriate linkages are in place so that the maximum support can be derived to promote and enhance the levels of participation / infrastructure and standards in the country.
• To provide a quarterly summary on projects and activities to the leadership of the Handball Council and the GAA and ongoing reports to meetings of An Coiste Bainistí and Ard Chomhairle.
• To proactively lead and manage the performance of the full time team in the Council.
• To manage the implementation of the IHC strategic plan in conjunction with the elected officers in the Council.
The Candidate:
It is desirable that the successful candidate would have:
• At least 5 years experience of working in the GAA or similar sporting organization.
• A third level qualification in a sports related or business discipline.
• Held a leadership position in previous roles.
It Is essential that the successful candidate would have:
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and to meet deadlines and have a hands-on approach to getting things done.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, strong ability to work under pressure.
• The ability to handle change and manage sensitive issues to achieve positive outcomes.
Excellent administrative and IT skills are essential.
Excellent facilitation and negotiation skills
Closing Date for Applications: Friday 5th December 2008.
Candidates interested in the above role should apply by sending an up-to-date Curriculum Vitae to:
Fiona O’Rourke,
GAA HR Manager,
Croke Park,
Dublin 3.
or email: forourke@admingaa.ie
Comhairle Liathróid Láimhe na hÉireann is an equal opportunities employer
NEW APPOINTMENTS IN IRISH SPORT
South African Paul Revington will be tasked with leading Ireland’s men’s hockey team to the London Olympics in 2012 after being named as the new men’s national coach.
The 35-year-old from Cape Town succeeds Dave Passmore, who will take up a new role as high-performance director early next year.
Revington was in charge of his native South Africa from 2001 until 2006 and oversaw both the 2004 Olympic and 2006 World Cup campaigns, during which time they moved from 14th to 10th in the world rankings. Revington’s main task will be to lead Ireland to the 2012 London Olympics.
“It is an honour for me to be appointed.”I have watched the Irish team grow consistently over the years and am excited to become a part this organisation” stated Revington.
Dave Passmore said: “We can look back on the fact that we have made significant progress and laid the foundations for this group to now go on and get the results we came so close to achieving.”The athletes have sacrificed so much over the past few years as have the staff, many of which are volunteers. “I hope they have enjoyed the journey as much as I have, and I look forward to watching the team achieving greater success moving forward.”
Angus Kirkland, the Chief Executive of the Irish Hockey Association, said: “Having coached the South African men’s team qualifying them for the 2004 Olympics and 2006 World Cup he is well placed to lead Irelands Men to the next Olympics. “He will take over a team that is shaping up well for 2012, thanks in large part to the hard work Dave Passmore has put in over the last four years. “It is an exciting time for Irish men’s hockey as we move forward with a world-class coach and for the first time a fully complemented high performance structure.”
Revington will officially take up his position in the New Year with Dave Passmore becoming high performance director.
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Irish Squash appoint new Chief Operating Officer
Chris Traynor has been appointed the new Chief Operations Officer for Irish Squash.
Chris is a Sports Psychologist, and has been working as a consultant in this area prior to taking up the position. Chris has completed a MSc in Performance Psychology at University of Edinburgh. He has been involved in various sports as player, coach, manager and psychologist over the years.
Chris is looking forward to meeting and working with everyone within the Irish Squash Federation.
For more information contact Irish Squash at 01-6251145
www.irishsquash.com