Reaction has been mixed across the sporting community to the announcement of the Government’s new ‘Living with Covid’ roadmap on Tuesday.
The Federation of Irish Sport has been critical of the lack of specifics around a potential return to sport, though the larger field sports bodies have been somewhat more reflective with most highlighting April 5th as a likely date for the return of at least some training and activity in an outdoor setting.
The Federation represents may of the sports that are based indoors where there is no such hook to cling on to in the latest guidelines, an adaptation of those that were in place through the latter part of last year.
“The Federation of Irish Sport recognises the need for continued focus on public health measures and fully appreciates the seriousness of the situation since December.”
“However, we are concerned on how little detail was available on the reopening of sport and physical activity in the Government’s “Living with COVID” plan announced yesterday.”
“As we have said on many occasions, we firmly believe that Sport and Physical Activity in all its forms is going to play a crucial role in restoring both the physical and mental health of the country as we come out of lockdown.”
“While we would not expect a plan to include specific dates at this point in time, we strongly believe that a strategy, and indeed Roadmap, for the reopening of sport, beyond the definitions allowed for at level 5 would have provided a much needed lift for all.”
The balance that needs to be struck is between asking for recognition of sports importance but at the same time recognising the multiple challenges that wider society is facing and which Government has to address.
It’s not easy. If you don’t speak up others will grab the space. If you come across as ungrateful it can mean that Government sentiment runs a little colder. It’s even harder to gauge the mood music in a mainly remote setting as we are all in.
GAA president John Horan was canny in expressing yesterday just how open the Taoiseach, Tanaiste and Minister for Sport had been, perhaps after the reaction to being more critical at one point last year.
“The Federation and its members have expressed concerns about the underlying issues created and fostered by this pandemic and associated restrictions,” continued the statement.
“The absence of sport and physical activity are most certainly contributing to issues of isolation, mental health, physical inactivity, social inclusion issues and access to sport for people with a disability.”
“We have always stressed that Sport and Physical Activity must be part of the long-term solution to the pandemic and we understand that Government shares that view.”
“However, we need to see this perspective included in government plans moving forward and a clear outline of when our organisations and their clubs can return to supporting the health and wellbeing of their communities in a meaningful way.”
“We strongly believe that a roadmap that sets out the Government’s thinking on the phased reopening of all sport and physical activity is essential and that it be published as soon as possible if only to demonstrate the Government’s commitment to the role that sport and physical activity can and will play as we exit this pandemic.”
“While that is our priority, we would also hope that the Government gives every consideration as to how organized sport will need to be funded beyond when the sector re-opens.”
“In that context, the Federation must acknowledge the government financial supports to date which have been welcomed by all in sport. The resilience and recovery package delivered in 2020 was a light at a very dark time for many sporting bodies.”
“However, those supports did not factor in a longer-term set of restrictions and it is imperative now that further supports are considered for sporting bodies, of all size, in the governments forthcoming National Recovery and Resilience Plan.”
We cannot tell what the reaction is inside Government. They have developed a pretty thick skin when it comes to criticism, and free comment is part of any functioning democracy.
The slight danger might be though that if Government officials believe they have done better by sport than they are being given credit for, that they may just turn their gaze by one or two degrees to other sectors.
There remains a high level of frustration and indeed anger, and it is only fair that those sports who have been left on the sidelines, or outside the halls, should demand greater certainty. That is the context that all should judge yesterday’s reactions.
Sport for Business Partners
