Basketball Ireland has revealed a surplus on financial trading in the past year of €245,000, 20% ahead of expectation. It brings the combined profit over the past three years to almost €700,000 and represents a massive turnaround from the losses of €1.3 million in the three years from 2007 to 2009.
Grant income from the Irish Sports Council has halved since 2007 but registration income, sponsorship and competition income have all increased substantially and costs in international expenditure, the running of competitions and other areas have been dramatically taken down.
The Governing Body recognises in its annual report that there are many challenges ahead. The repayment of over €100,000 in grant income from previous years draws a line under the past and will be met over the coming years. An exclusion from capital grants and the withdrawal of a grant to refurbish the National Arena in Tallaght will mean new initiatives being sought to maintain the fabric of facilities but plans are being developed to do just that.
Sponsorship income has risen to over €130,000 in the past 12 months but the withdrawal from Ireland of the business behind the Nivea Brand has meant their ending the Super League sponsorship that has been in place for 12 years.
“We have a strong product and the National Finals were sold out well in advance,” General Secretary Bernard O’Byrne told Sport for Business yesterday.
is Ireland’s number one indoor sport and among the top for participants with as many as 200,000 people playing the game across the island of Ireland. There is parity of esteem and membership between men and women and the Super League Finals night where the best of the Men’s and Women’s club teams compete provides an electric atmosphere.”
“Our media coverage is strong with Setanta TV on board for live match coverage and a magazine programme and we have two pages a week during the season in the irish Daily Star.”
“It’s very much a national sport as well with our 220 clubs spread throughout the country. Cork and Limerick are very strong as well as Dublin and a particular attraction for a new sponsor has to be the reach into youth sport through schools and colleges where Basketball is among the most popular sports.”
Another highlight of the year, and bright spot for the future has been the return to international action. U16 boys and girls teams will compete in European competition this summer and an Irish Super League selection beat their British counterparts in Birmingham earlier in the year.
A Gathering event in October will bring international teams from Wales, Norway and Iceland to Ireland and Macron has signed up as a major sponsor of the rejuvenation of the international game as well as the popular summer camps at Gormanston.
On a global scale Basketball is a world leader. In Ireland it has regained the confidence to pitch for the same status here.
Derek McGrath, Chief Executive of European Rugby Cup also joined the Board of Basketball Ireland in 2012, bringing international event experience from his handling of the Heineken and Amlin Cup tournaments.
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