The Federation of Irish Sport hosted their Annual Leaders Forum for 2025 under the title of Informing and Empowering Leaders and Decision Makers in Sport this week at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Blanchardstown.
This flagship event brought together influential voices in Irish sport, government, and finance to discuss key updates, insights, and strategies shaping the future of sport in Ireland.
The forum provided a valuable opportunity for leaders and stakeholders in Irish sport to connect, engage, and learn about measures to grow financial stability through reforms to tax exemptions, charitable donations and loan financing.
Liam Smith of the Office of the Revenue Commissioners gave a detailed presentation on the provisions in the Finance Act relevant to the sporting sector.
This included explanations on eligibility of sporting organisations, qualifying projects, relevant donations, tax relief for companies’ vs individuals’ donations and governance requirements.
Principal Officer from the Department of Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport Micheál Ó Conaire highlighted the participation figures of 1.89 million taking part regularly in sport and physical activity in Ireland.
He also gave details under the 8 Thematic Areas for action plan 2024 – 2027 namely: Investment in Sport, Active and Social Participation, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Facilities and Events, Sport and Education, Sport and Sustainability, Governance and Capacity Building and International.
He highlighted the fact that the 2025 budget for Sports & Recreation Services is €230m, hitting the target in the National Sports Policy of doubling funding by 2027 ahead of target, as well as the €256 million from the Community Sports Facility Fund, and the €173 million set aside for the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund.
The agenda also featured insightful contributions from partners of the Federation such as Ogier on Equality and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, 2into3, with Dennis O’Connor and Orla Dolan on transformative approaches in the sector in relation to philanthropy and talent management; and Clann Credo Community Finance, whose Regional Manager Tony Marshall highlighted innovative financial solutions for community-based sports organisations.
“The Annual Leaders Forum is a vital moment for Ireland’s sporting community to come together, share ideas, and forge stronger collaborations,” said Mary O’Connor, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport.
“We are thrilled to have such a strong representation from our members here today to ensure they are informed on important matters that are relevant to them now and in the future.”
“As we enter 2025, it is more important than ever to focus on financial, equality, and sustainable growth in sport.”
SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
This is a keynote session where Government in its various forms can update the sector directly on changes across key financial and governance areas. These may not be the areas that first attract people to work in sports administration but they are the essentials that keep the lights on.
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
A Renewal of the National Sports Policy was a surprising omission from the Programme for Government and it would be good to get confirmation once the Ministers have read into their briefs that a renewal is coming post 2027.
MEMBERSHIP AND EVENTS
The Department, the Federation of of Irish Sport, Ogier and 2Into3 are four of the organisations involved in this story that are among the 300+ full active members of the Sport for Business community.
The Sport for Business Membership comprises nearly 300 organisations, including all the leading sports and sponsors, as well as commercial and state agencies.
