The Government has sought input from those with an interest in Irish Sport on how to frame a new national Sports policy for the next decade.
This is the first time in 20 years that such a framework will be adopted at Government level and it is a crucial opportunity to put sport into its important context as part of overall Government thinking.
The Key Areas of interest and the Sport for Business views on each are as follows:
- Contribution of sport
- Participation
- High Performance
- Local and Regional Facilities
- National Sports Campus
- Governance
- Coaching
- Volunteer engagement
- Safety in sport
- Integrity of sport and international influence
- Sport in a cross-sectoral context
- Outdoor recreation
- Sports Tourism
- Financing Irish sport
- Measuring the impact of sport
How effective are the existing structures in place to uphold the integrity of Irish sport across all areas including the fight against doping, match-fixing and corruption and are there areas that could be improved?
They work in that we have uncovered instances of doping and match fixing and acted to ensure that those guilty have paid the consequences.
Are there ways that Ireland can more effectively influence international sport issues?
Ireland’s history in international relations has been one of trust and leadership where needed. The role of the EU since the Lisbon Treaty has been to take more of a leadership role itself and this is an area that ireland can amplify its influence in a positive way.
Bi-annual meetings of sports minister from across the EU can be used to push forward areas of interest or concern. With Britain soon to exit the EU there will be greater opportunity to step up in the many sports where the two nations would share a particular affinity.
It will also put Ireland to the fore in areas of betting and gaming where more liberal regulation brings with it a responsibility to ensure compliance with best practice in avoiding abuse at match fixing level and within player welfare.
Being a host city for Euro 2020 and a potential host of Rugby World Cup 2023, Ireland will be among the lead nations in the biggest sporting events over the next decade with many global events heading east.
Are there best practice international models which Ireland could benefit from?
It is significantly easier to identify poor practice when it comes to areas of integrity. In that environment it is perhaps best to look within, see what needs to be done and go out to lead rather than follow.
