One-third of Irish sporting organisations have seen their membership reduce by 50 per cent or more in the past year. The Federation of Irish Sport has surveyed their members across National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships and the figures to emerge are worrying.
68 per cent feel that the loss of participants and volunteers will be a permanent one, suggesting that the road back will be longer than some might have felt.
The survey was undertaken this month so does take into account the higher levels of optimism that have come about through the return of outdoor sporting activities but it could be that the numbers reflect a continued frustration within indoor sport about their timetable of a return.
57 per cent in the survey agree or strongly agree that younger participants will lose the habit of regular participation and be lost to an activity.
This has not been the case in the return to outdoor sport where numbers appear to have held up very well. Whether the timing of the return to outdoor and indoor will see a permanent shift is an obvious concern.
Government support has been crucial and the impact can be seen especially within the network of Local Sports Partnerships, funded almost exclusively through Sport Ireland and Local Authorities, where two-thirds have seen no negative impact on their funding.
This compares to the overall sporting ecosystem where 86 per cent say that the impact has been Negative or worse.
One of the key areas where sporting organisations try to focus is on the areas of society that are not naturally drawn towards sport including those in the lower socio-economic groups, people with a disability, older age groups and those from minority ethnic groups. The impact here is felt to be even harder with 69 per cent of those surveyed feeling that the impact on their participation has been disproportionate.
“This report was a significant and important piece of work for the Federation and our members,” said Chair Clare McGrath.
“It demonstrates the immense challenges being faced by our sporting bodies and just how damaging the pandemic has been economically and socially. However, it also highlights the resilience and positivity of those working in the sector and their views on what is needed to emerge from the pandemic stronger.”
“In 2020 the government provided much needed financial support to the sector in the form of a €70m resilience package,” added CEO Mary O’Connor.
“This report showcases just how many bodies relied on such supports for survival and demonstrates that with continued support, the sector can recover and return to its pre-pandemic strengths. We have shared the findings of this work with Minister Jack Chambers and his department and look forward to working with the Minister to address some of the key aspects highlighted by the report.”
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