€78.9 million in Covid funding was announced yesterday for sporting bodies to help in the recovery from the Covid pandemic.

The bulk of the money will go to the three main field sports with the GAA getting €20 million, the FAI €19 million and the IRFU €18 million to distribute through various channels of those sports.

Others to gain include Cricket Ireland to the tune of €1.5 million, Basketball Ireland with €1.01 million, Golf Ireland with €900,000, and Athletics Ireland with €650,000.

Boxing, Gymnastics, Camogie and Special Olympics will each get €500,000 to offset the cost and the disruption felt over the past two years and continuing into 2022.

Boxing, Swimming, Sailing, Hockey, Badminton, MotorSport, Triathlon, Volleyball, Squash, Canoeing, Wheelchair Sport and GAA Handball are among others that will gain a six-figure sum in funding.

Read about the government announcement here.

The different sporting bodies were quick to react in a positive fashion.

 

FAI CEO Jonathan Hill:

“On behalf of everyone involved in Irish football, I want to thank Ministers Martin and Chambers, their Government colleagues and Sport Ireland for this latest and most welcome financial support for our game and we look forward to the allocation of these funds to the FAI, the League of Ireland and Women’s National League and Grassroots football.

“The commitment of Government to aid Irish football during the COVID-19 pandemic, both last year and now in 2021, has been vital to sustaining and growing the game at all levels across the country.

“The adherence of all our stakeholders to the Government’s COVID-19 guidelines throughout the pandemic has, I am sure, been reflected in this 45% increase in resilience grant funding to Irish football. That commitment to respecting the Government and FAI protocols at a time when we all just wanted to play football was exemplary and we are thankful to the entire Irish football community for their hard work and indeed patience.

“Today’s announcement is down to the diligence of every player, coach, match official, club officer, volunteer and supporter from international football to League of Ireland and Women’s National League and right across the full spectrum of Grassroots football at adult and schoolboy and schoolgirl level. I also want to thank our own FAI staff for their selfless efforts in this regard

 

GAA President Larry McCarthy and Director General Tom Ryan:

“We would like to acknowledge the support the GAA has received and to thank Minsters Martin and Chambers in particular.

“This support is very welcome and will help us plan for 2022 after what has been a challenging 18 months.

“We would also like to thank Sport Ireland for their role in the process and support over the duration of the pandemic.

“Additionally, the supports made available to sporting clubs around the country will assist those promoting sport at grassroots level.”

 

IRFU CEO Philip Browne:

“Irish Rugby is very grateful to the Minister for the critical funding that will allow the IRFU to keep rugby infrastructure going for the benefit of all activities, at all levels of our game.”

“I want to personally acknowledge and thank the work of Jack Chambers and John Tracey of Sport Ireland. We are very grateful for their on-going support and dedication to sport.”

“Rugby is more than a game, and in supporting us today, the government are investing in the long-term physical and mental health of all those who are involved in our game while allowing us to continue the work we hope will bring success to our provincial and national teams and pride to our nation in the years ahead.”

 

Sport Ireland Chair Kieran Mulvey:

“Sport Ireland has engaged extensively with the sector since the onset of the pandemic to understand the pressure points and where organisations need support. This is reflected in the allocations made today by Sport Ireland, which also factor in the wider economic and social impact of sport. It was a priority of the Board of Sport Ireland that the needs of the disability sector were specifically addressed, with ring-fenced funding being allocated in the allocations. The recent budget announcement by the Ministers of an increase in the overall sports funding for 2022 has further reinforced that sense of confidence that support is available. We look forward to working with our funded bodies and a positive 2022.”

 

Sport Ireland CEO John Treacy:

“While organised sport has returned in a meaningful way in recent months, the impact of the restriction of the last two years is still being felt across the sector. Indoor sports in particular have been disproportionately affected, while a large number of outdoor sports have seen their commercial programmes hit. The funding announced by Sport Ireland will alleviate the pressure on these sports and help the wider club infrastructure to sustain their commendable efforts in providing for their membership. As throughout the pandemic, Sport Ireland remains available to our national sporting organisations to provide support and guidance where necessary.”

 

Cricket Ireland CEO Warren Deutrom:

“We are very appreciative of the ongoing support and commitment of the Irish Government and Sport Ireland to sustaining and growing the sport of cricket across Ireland. It goes without saying that 2021 was another immensely challenging year, however, this funding will ensure the sport remains viable and is positioned to take advantage of the recovery period once a sense of normality returns.

“While the support received won’t fully make up for the incredible financial hit we have taken after almost two years of the pandemic, we appreciate that Ministers Martin and Chambers, as well as the leadership of Sport Ireland, understand cricket’s particular challenges and have faith in the future of our sport on this island.

“The continued uncertainty ahead, though, still means we are not clear of the pandemic-induced challenges, and our conversations will continue with Government over a range of supports required to grow our game, most notably around facilities, women’s cricket, an upgraded high performance training centre and our goal to finally bring to life Ireland’s first-ever dedicated national cricket ground.

“Our ambition is to be a major country in world cricket and a major sport in Ireland, so the ongoing support from Government is crucial in helping to achieve this.”

 
 

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