John Treacy is to retire as Chief Executive of Sport Ireland as and from 31st December 2021. It brings to an end of the longest and most influential careers in Irish sports administration, dating back to his appointment as the first CEO of the Irish Sports Council in 1999.
Treacy’s final term of office began with the creation of Sport Ireland in 2015 and was due to run until after the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games last year. Their postponement and the crisis that engulfed sport as part of Covid-19 and the associated lockdown of society meant that his tenure was extended one last time.
It is probably something in the mindset of a long-distance runner that is particularly well suited to the role of a broad-based sporting administrator and Treacy took the talents that earned him an Olympic Silver medal in 1984 and moulded them to best serve the role he was given in steering Irish Sport through unprecedented times of change.
His running career spanned 20 years and led to two World Championship Gold medals as well as the Olympics, making him one of the country’s most decorated athletes.
When the Irish Sports Council was established by Government in the 1990’s he was coming to the end of his competitive career in spikes and was a popular choice to head the organisation.
It does not always follow that the one who has performed at the highest level in competition is the best suited to making sure that others are prepared in so many different ways to support the sports ecosystem but Treacy proved a natural.
He would need a few hands to count the number of Ministers he has served but he has treated everyone with the same respect and gained it back in return.
Running any sporting organisation demands extreme patience in dealing with the ‘unique’ challenges that each one faces. Doing so across the more than 60 that are recognised and funded through Sport Ireland is the day to day success story he has achieved quietly but with a steely resolve over more than two decades.
Add into the mix the creation of the network of Local Sports partnerships that deliver programmes and services in every corner of the country, the establishment of the Sport Ireland Institute and the building of the Sport Ireland Campus and you see a roll call of achievement that is as immense as it is impressive.
He has been a central calm figure as the storms raged around the Olympic Council of Ireland in 2016 and around the FAI four years later. The principal individuals at the centre of those low points in sports administration have moved on but the organisations are renewed and now thriving.
There are some who argue he should have seen them coming and moved quicker to enhance the governance codes that are now in place or in motion but that could be asking too much of one man in a society where we were perhaps slower than some to face the reality of changing from a nod and wink culture to one that is based on a more transparent and accountable basis.
He will leave the sporting stage in as good a position as he might have only dreamt of in 1999, and one that is well on the way towards the goals set out in the National Sports policy which he helped to draft and deliver.
His leadership was always quiet and understated but he got the wheels moving in the background, from securing the flow of money to making sure it went to the right places.
He has been a vocal advocate for a zero approach on doping and a leading international voice against any row back on the bans put in place on Russian athletes. It is more likely that his time in retirement will be spent running the roads of Waterford rather than those of Moscow but that is where he would be happiest.
It has been a pleasure to know him.
“John Treacy has been a model Chief Executive that has led Irish Sport through action and strategic vision,” said Chair of Sport Ireland Kieran Mulvey.
“The sport sector in Ireland is in a very strong position thanks to the leadership that John has demonstrated since taking on the role with the Irish Sports Council in 1999. His contribution to sport in Ireland both as an athlete and as a chief executive is immeasurable.”
“It has been a privilege to lead Sport Ireland and the Irish Sports Council throughout a period of significant progress for Irish Sport,” said Treacy.
“There have been many highlights, but in particular I am delighted with the significant strides made in women’s participation in sport and disability sport over recent years.” While it was my intention to retire from the role last year, the postponement of the Olympic & Paralympic Games, the onset of the pandemic and the need to ensure stability changed those plans. With Sport Ireland now firmly established and the sector in a strong position to tackle any challenges ahead, I believe now is the right time for me to step away.”
“I would like to pay tribute to all of the wonderful staff I have worked with over the years. I would like to thank the Chairman and members of the Board, past and present, for their enduring support. I would also like to acknowledge the staff and volunteers in the National Governing Bodies, Local Sports Partnerships and funded bodies, and pay tribute to all of our amazing athletes.”
“I am also grateful to all of the ministers and government department officials I have enjoyed meeting and working with throughout the years. It is incredibly satisfying that sport has remained a policy priority for the Government, an acknowledgement of the strength of the sector. I wish everyone involved in Irish sport the very best for the future.”
Sport Ireland has commenced the recruitment process for the position of Chief Executive through Lansdowne Executive Search. We will have further details of that process on Sport for Business on Monday.
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