Sport Ireland has published its high-performance system review (Paris Cycle Review), which found that Ireland’s high-performance sports system has evolved, matured, and professionalised.
Covering the years 2021-2024, the aim of the Paris Cycle Review is to ensure that the high-performance system is well-positioned to maximise the potential of Irish sport in future Olympic and Paralympic cycles.
To that end it also outlines 20 key recommendations for further development.
Fuelled by increasing levels of investment, and the vision of the Sport Ireland High Performance Strategy (2021-2032), the high-performance system has performed strongly in recent years, with Ireland winning over 500 major medals since 2017.
The medal objectives for 2021-2024 that were set out in the High Performance Strategy and National Sports Policy 2018-2027 have been achieved. This period includes the 2024 Paris Games, Ireland’s most successful ever Games, with 5-7 medals targeted and seven achieved.
Key Recommendations
Pillar One – Focused Performance Investment
1. Raise awareness of the need to maintain high levels of investment in the system
2. Undertake a comprehensive review of the funding allocation strategy to further inform the
ongoing approach to funding high performance sport
Pillar Two – Athlete Performance and Holistic Support
3. Invest in deepening and disseminating knowledge and research on para athletes
4. Collaborate internationally and nationally to develop policies and initiatives that better support NGBs to deliver athlete welfare initiatives.
5. Conduct Culture Reviews to increase athlete-centricity in all future Cycles
6. Design a clear approach to support NGBs to keep retiring athletes within the system
7. Develop a strategy to increase investment and support for the development of formal, clear, and aligned athlete pathways for all high performance sports
Pillar Three World Class Coaching and Support Services
8. Support the Sport Ireland Institute on transitioning to a hybrid employment model and formalising the relationship with the Sport Northern Ireland Sports Institute
9. Support the Sport Ireland Institute to explore the potential of a regional model for delivering performance services to athletes outside of Dublin
10. Develop and communicate a clear 10-year vision for high performance coaching in Ireland with dedicated resources and investment
Pillar Four – Business Structures and Planning
11. Continue to support NGBs on the development of professional governance structures
12. Design a strategy to increase proactivity and independence of NGBs – with a focus on addressing capability gaps within the system
13. Support NGBs to undertake independent strategic reviews in future Cycles
14. Continue to explore opportunities to maximise the commercial potential of Irish sport
Pillar Five – Partnerships
15. Prioritise collaboration and partnership-formation to support the growth of the system, specifically targeting third level institutions, the private sector, and other world-class nations
16. Increase engagement with stakeholders to raise awareness of successes within the system, create alignment, and secure buy-in to the High Performance Strategy (2021-2032)
Pillar Six – World Class Facilities and Equipment
17. Identify and target impactful, immediate opportunities to unlock funding for facilities development
18. Engage stakeholders on delivery of the Campus Masterplan to build clarity and confidence
PILLAR 7: RESEARCH & INNOVATION
19. Develop a comprehensive, joined-up strategy for innovation in Irish sport
20. Target partnerships with the private sector to gain a competitive advantage in this area.
“There have been ongoing commitments and efforts to create positive, impactful experiences for all athletes within the system,” said Dr Una May, CEO of Sport Ireland.
“We’re very much aware of the importance of athlete welfare and putting athletes at the centre of everything we do. By doing that we are not only looking after them, but giving them the best possible chance of achieving excellence in their sport. ”
“This increased maturity of the system and strong recovery following the pandemic is due, in part, to the government’s sustained commitments and investments to Irish high-performance sport, as well as the brilliant system-wide support provided by the Sport Ireland High Performance Unit and the Sport Ireland Institute.”
In 2024, Sport Ireland investment in high-performance sport was a record €25m. This unprecedented level of investment has followed a period of sustained growth in funding for sport, with overall funding to National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) up 60% since 2018.
Previous reviews have always incorporated both a Games and system component, but this is the first system-only review undertaken by Sport Ireland.
The Quadrennial Review is different in 2024, with Sport Ireland focusing on the overall system and the Olympic Federation of Ireland and Paralympics Ireland undertaking specific Games reviews.
This reflects the improved levels of collaboration within the system. The benefits of this collaboration include the timeliness of the review and enhanced engagement with NGBs and athletes. The level of response from athletes to the review is notable and has been invaluable.
“We would like to thank all of those who have contributed to the Paris Cycle Review,” added Paul McDermott, Sport Ireland Director of High Performance and NGB’s.
“In particular, we would like to thank the athletes; over 185 athletes engaged in the process. As reflected in the development of our High Performance Strategy, we place a real priority on capturing the athlete voice at critical points of the system’s development.”
“Using the seven pillars of the Sport Ireland High Performance Strategy (2021-2032) as a guiding framework, feedback, insights and opinion were received from the NGBs in receipt of High Performance Programme Funding.”
“This review also identified challenges facing NGBs and the system, as well as opportunities to evolve and transform Irish high-performance sport in future cycles.”
“The implementation of the identified recommendations will form a key piece of work for Sport Ireland, as we get ready to enter the Los Angeles and Brisbane Cycles. ”
“Collaboration between Sport Ireland, NGBs, the Olympic Federation of Ireland, Paralympics Ireland, Sport Northern Ireland, the Sport Ireland Institute, the Sport Northern Ireland Sports Institute, and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, will be crucial to ensure these recommendations are actioned, and to ensure the system is transitioning towards its shared goals. ”
SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
When you think you have made it as far as you can, you inevitably begin to slide backwards or be overtaken by others. It was perhaps more important to look at what needed improvement after a succesful games and that is what has happened. Reviews of funding allocation to target the sports most likely to deliver is never popular but appears to be the most successful way to allocate. Enhanced collaboration with Universities to create a balanced regional spread is also a winner.
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
The LA Cycle has already begun. This review will be an ongoing piece of work and an annual restating of where the reccomendations have got to would be a welcome next step.
MEMBERSHIP AND EVENTS
Sport Ireland, The Olympic Federation of Ireland and Paralympics Ireland as well as 15 of the sports that took part in the review are members of the Sport for Business community.
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