Athletics Ireland membership has increased from 29,000 in 2009 to a current figure of over 50,000, an increase of 67%, it was announced at the Association’s Annual General Meeting over the weekend.
Revealing annual income of €4.3 million, Athletics Ireland CEO John Foley said “We are now 60% self-sufficient and 40% government funding. Just three years ago the ratio stood at 40% self-sufficient to 60% government funding.”
“Our €4.3m income is generated predominantly through membership fees, sponsorship and by running recreational road races. The support however we receive from the Sports Council is core to our sustainability and we are extremely grateful for this support”.
Over 80 of those recreational races were registered through Athletics Ireland during April alone. These included the popular Samsung Night Runs (pictured) which took place on Saturday night in Dublin and Cork and drew 8,000 runners onto the streets of the two cities.
Foley also spoke of the support provided to elite athletes. “Close to €900k of support is provided to our 88 carded athletes in the form of cash grants and support services.”
“The support provided is one of the best in Europe, and the High Performance Systems which have been developed by Kevin Ankrom will allow for more consistent delivery of performances at major championships and create more medal opportunities.”
Athlone Institute of Technology President Ciaran Ó Catháin was re-elected as President and during his acceptance speech spoke of the importance of the volunteer within sport.
“To say that we appreciate the work and commitment of the thousands of administrators, officials and coaches who give freely of their time is a significant understatement.”
“Our vision set out in the strategic plan is an inclusive one and envisages a future landscape for our sport that is not small or limited. That landscape should be as vast and expansive as the ambitions of our athletes. It should be illuminated with the successes of our sporting heroes from Rob Heffernan to Joe Gough, Fionnuala Britton to Kelly Proper.”
