Paralympics Ireland is considering a bid to host the 2018 European Paralympic Swimming Championships in Dublin.
This year’s event takes place at Eindhoven in the Netherlands and 500 swimmers are expected to compete from a total of 40 countries, including Ellen Keane who was at the Paralympics Ireland Strategic Plan launch yesterday, taking time out from studying for her Leaving Cert,
It is an ambitious plan but one which has a chance of success as Ireland bids to translate its success at London 2012 in the pool, on the track and in other sports into a greater role within the International Paralympic Movement.
That is one of the five goals listed in the Paralympics Ireland Strategic Plan for 2014-2017 launched in Dublin yesterday before an audience of constituent sports governing bodies, athletes, sponsors and supporters.
Potential
The others are to maximise medal potential at major Championships; to establish a full talent identification and development pathway for Irish Paralympic athletes; to deepen public awareness and understanding of the sports and to pursue organisational excellence.
Each of the five goals are backed up by clear objectives and measures of success and the plan was warmly welcomed by those upon whom it will have the greatest impact.
“We need to build on the success of what has been achieved in recent years and make Ireland a real centre of excellence for Paralympic Sport,” said Michael McKillop, Double Olympic and World Championship Gold medallist.
“It’s a strong plan and one which can be measured and delivered for all the stakeholders in Paralympic sport,” added Rob Hartnett of Sport for Business who spoke at the launch about the power of sponsorship.
Emotion
“Commercial partners are looking to connect with strong emotion, that will engage with their customers on a really deep level.”
“Catherine McKillop handing over the Gold medal to her son in London was part of a campaign by P&G to connect with Mums, and it was also a magical human moment.”
“Paralympics Ireland can help to create the right environment for some really imaginative activation, as has already been shown by brands like Allianz, Bewleys and Cadbury.”
Download a copy of the strategic plan here.
“Paralympic sport globally faces a new reality on the back of the huge success of London 2012,” said Paralympics Ireland CEO Liam Harbison.
“The level of athlete performance continues to break new ground, making it essential that Paralympics Ireland moves to develop a talent ID model and performance pathway to secure long term success.”
“This strategy, developed with time, thought and effort by the stakeholders in the sport, is aimed at providing the right structure to support not only our great athletes, but also the people who bring them to where they are and where can go to.”
