Alcohol sponsorship in the spotlight
A major report has called for the phasing out of sports sponsorship by alcohol brands, as well as a range of other restrictions.  The report of the National Substance Misuse Strategy steering group suggests the implementation of its recommendations should be undertaken by 2016.
Questions were raised by members of the group about the Government’s willingness to adopt the strategy.  “A lot of these recommendations have been put to Government before and Government has walked away from them,” said Denis Bradley from the National Advisory Committee on Drugs.”
“Politicians must look at the report in its totality and not fight for their own narrow interests whether that’s in communications, transport or sport.”
The suggestion to ban drinks brands from sport was included in previous reports to government but a view appears to have been taken that the damage to sport at elite and subsequent grass roots level would also negatively impact the health of the nation.
Health Minister James Reilly did not attend the publication of the report.
Dockrell lends support to new water disinfection system
The Ireland cricket team have set off this week on a tour of Kenya where they will be playing Intercontinental Cup matches, one day and twenty20 internationals.  The tour will last 12 days with the first game this Sunday 12th February.
Before leaving left arm spinner George Dockrell visited Trinity College where a project has been developed to provide clean water.  The Trinity team, led by Phd student Joanne McMahon will also be travelling to Kenya to restart a project in a rural village called Ndulyani. Their disinfection system had been operating well but drought has caused the river to dry up and villagers are now being forced to walk seven kilometres for water which itself is not safe.
The challenge now for McMahon and her team is to get the project in Ndulyani back up and running – and that means finding a local source of water. Joanne has launched an appeal to raise funds (E22,000) to drill a borehole deep enough to tap the water table.
McMahon is hoping to attract support from donors, including corporate sponsors, over the next four weeks. They need €22,000 to cover the cost of drilling a bore hole and have a fundraising campaign on FundIt.  Details can be obtained through the twitter account @solartcd.
 
 
Villa sign new kit deal

Aston Villa who became the first Premier League team to start five Irish internationals some weeks ago has signed a reported €18 million kit deal with Italian sportswear label Macron. Macron will replace Nike from the start of the 2012/13 season and will produce over 100 club related items in addition to the playing kit.
The deal is the largest in Villa’s history and marks a continued trend towards a diversity of brands entering the football market.
Triathlon Ireland’s international invitation
Triathlon Ireland has published details of how individual athletes can put themselves in position to represent Ireland at international level.
The International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Championship and European Triathlon Union (ETU) European Championship are open to anyone over the age of 18 who meets the qualification and eligibility criteria.
Last year’s European Championships were held in Limerick.  The 2013 race will be in Turkey.  Details of the criteria are available from this week at www.triathlonireland.ie.