The Irish Sports Council today, 24th January, announced that grants totaling €11.302 million will be invested in the work of the 67 National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) in 2002. Today's announcement of €7.16 million represents financial support to 56 sports bodies which allows them carry out their core activities of administration, planning, coach education, and international training and competition.

This will bring to €30 million the total investment in NGBs since the Irish Sports Council took over statutory responsibility for their development. It is the third successive annual increase in their grant allocations. This is targeted and strategic investment based on the needs of the sports bodies and their athletes and which is fundamentally transforming the way sport is administered in Ireland.

The Irish Sports Council also announced that €1,102,452 was to be invested in the work of the National Coaching & Training Centre (NCTC), which provides coach education programmes in association with the NGBs, facilitates the running of training camps for elite squads at the University of Limerick, and oversees the services being provided to elite athletes through the International Carding Scheme.

The details of funding for the work of the GAA, FAI and IRFU in increasing participation in sport by young people is also to be announced in the coming months and this year the Council's support for this work will total in excess of €4 million.

Today's announcements do not include funding (€3 million), which was specially allocated in Budget 2002, for the rollout of Year 1 of the High Performance Strategy.

The financial support announced today complements the ongoing practical support offered to NGBs by the Irish Sports Council, including with strategic planning, the Irish Sport Anti-Doping Programme and the Code of Ethics and Good Practice in Children's Sport. In 2001 22 training and information events of relevance to NGBs were organized by the Council and more are planned for 2002.

Making the announcement John Treacy the Chief Executive of the Irish Sports Council

"This substantial financial investment by the Council in NGBs underpins our commitment to their work and is a statement of their central place in Irish sport".

"The Irish Sports Council is delivering on the commitments given to NGBs by delivering increased financial investment, augmented by a range of practical supports".

"I wish to place on record my thanks to the NGBs for their support and co-operation in our work together for Irish sport. ISC has continually tried to host events, which are of use to the work of the NGBs, while also helping ISC roll out programmes of inter-sport significance like the National Anti-doping programme and the Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children's sport. We could not have achieved what we have done so far in building a stronger case for sport, without the help and support of the National Governing Bodies. We will continue to work with them in pursuit of our agreed objectives - more people competing in more sport more often at the levels of their choice!"

One of the first commitments of the Irish Sports Council was to bring forward the announcement of the annual grant allocations to NGBs. The new system of funding and the early notification of grants have met with widespread approval from the NGBs.

The Council supports NGBs, which develop ability and nurture talent with a view to unearthing world class performers for the future. Support is also available for participation initiatives, hosting international competitions and participating at international events. To that end, a number of NGBs are being supported for proposals agreed with the Irish Sports Council. These NGB-specific initiatives include:

o Irish Cycling Federation - Team Ireland programme, initiated last year, is designed to give young Irish riders the opportunity to live, train and compete on the continent, providing vital experience for the most talented to progress and flourish. The Irish Sports Council is providing €40,000 in 2002.

o Ireland is to compete as a nation in the Eisenhower trophy in Kuala Lumper later this year. In addition to International Training and Competition grants totaling €187,000, the Golf Union of Ireland is provided with €81,581 in support of the team's participation in this hugely significant event.

o Irish Amateur Rowing Union is to appoint a national coach with the support of the ISC (€40,000)

o The strengthening of NGBs is described in the Council's strategy, 'A New Era for Sport' as a primary objective. €8,740,552 spanning 2000-2002 has been invested in the administration of the sports. This includes €197,350 in 2002 for new staff positions in 6 NGBs, (Badminton, Rowing, Basketball, Canoeing, Cycling and Volleyball, which builds on the 9 posts created across 8 sports last year)

o It is the responsibility of the NGBs to manage the training and development of their talented performers. With the support of the Irish Sports Council and very often in conjunction with NCTC, the NGBs educate and deploy coaches, organise training camps and prepare teams to compete in major international events such as the Olympic Games, World Championships, European Championships and Home Internationals. Over the last three years, ISC has made €6,402,798 available in pursuit of those objectives, €2,313,000 in 2002.

o The Irish Sports Council is supporting NGB programmes for athletes aiming to participate at the 2003 Special Olympic World Games. Among the bodies to benefit this year will be Special Olympic Ireland (€29,210 for team preparation), the Bowling League of Ireland (€3,682 for training, coaching for referees, umpires and volunteers, and the Sailing Association of Ireland (€32,500 hosting pre-Special Olympics event)

o Motor Sport Ireland - The Irish Sports Council will provide 50% (€25,000) of bursary to young drivers of the year (Billy Coleman Award & Sexton Trophy), which is used to fund specific training / education programme of their choice.

o Such has been the success of this programme that Motorcycling Ireland applied this year to fund a scholarship programme for its most exciting young rider. The Irish Sports Council will provide €12,698 in support of this award.

o Irish Fencing - Siobhan Byrne is described as the most exciting talent ever in Irish fencing. To assist her progress (she is currently ranked 25th in sabre world rankings, 2nd in world juniors) the NGB has proposed to 'bubble fund' €6,545, the ISC support being provided specifically for this young athlete to train and compete in Europe, without draining the limited resources of a small but supportive organisation like IAFF.

o The Council is delighted to support international competitions hosted in Ireland by NGBs. In 2002 these will include continued support for the FBD Milk Rás, including the ISC Young Riders jersey, the European Bodyboard Championships (Irish Surfing Association) and Irish Snooker and Billiards Association hosting of the European under 19 championships

o NGBs are supported in their programmes aimed at increasing participation in their sports. Among the projects supported this year are the Irish Ladies Golf Union school links programme, the Pitch & Putt Union of Ireland school links programme, continued support for "Sport Hall Athletics" programme of the Athletics Association of Ireland and the rehabilitation programme run by the National Rifle & Pistol Shooting Association.

o The Irish Sports Council is determined to understand and meet the specific needs of sports organisations. It places a high priority on organisations developing strategic plans. The number of NGBs now implementing agreed plans numbers 30, with a further 11 involved in the drafting process. ISC's commitment to enhancing the work of the volunteer in sport in Ireland is acknowledged by its investment in making the administration of sport more efficient by increasing funding in this from €2,375,087 in 2000 to €3,245,558 this year. (across today's recipients)