Grass roots the priority of grants

Irish Sports Council funding: The Minister for Sport, John O'Donoghue, announced yesterday that the Irish Sports Council (ISC) will provide €3.5 million to the IRFU for the promotion and development of rugby at all levels but with particular emphasis on the grass roots of the sport in 2005.

This brings to €15 million the total allocated to the IRFU by the Irish Sports Council since the Special Budget Measure was introduced by the Government in 2001. The specific aim was to encourage the participation of young people in field sports.

The ISC and the IRFU agreed a detailed schedule of specific programmes for 2005 and the union currently employs as part of their underage participation strategy, four provincial development managers, 12 regional development officers (RDO) and 75 youth development officers (YDO).

The 2005 programme closely follows on the profitable co-operation between the bodies over the past few years and notably last year's successful implementation of the Buntus rugby programme, a joint venture between the IRFU and the Limerick City Sports Partnership. Buntus rugby identifies and coaches skills of the sport on a non-contact basis using tags and belts and comes within the framework of a generic programme for all sports.

The success of the Limerick model means that the IRFU is rolling out similar models in Sligo, Cork and Donegal. In all there are 4,000 primary schools involved in rugby. The ISC underwrite substantially many of the IRFU funding programmes.

The RDO/YDO scheme cost the union €2.7 million last year with the ISC contributing €1.2 million and the latter body also provides substantial backing for many of the schemes. The Tallaght project costs the IRFU €250,000 per annum but they receive subsidies from the ISC of €120,000. The IRFU has plans to expand the Tallaght scheme to the Swords area.

In 2004 the IRFU made changes to the academy structure deciding to disband the national one in favour of four provincial outlets. There are now 70 players contracted within the academy system.

This process begins at under-16 level and continues for three or four years according to the union.

The entire IRFU programme, as is the case with the GAA and FAI, is in line with the Irish Sports Council's strategic objectives of increasing sporting opportunities for all with special emphasis on young children and disadvantaged groups.

The Minister pointed out: "I have great faith in the ability of the IRFU to deliver substantially on behalf of Irish sport. The union has been very active in implementing the aim of the Special Budget Measure to increase participation among young people. Sports Development Officers are active around the country. For 2005, 21 distinct programmes will be funded, each designed to support a specific segment of the Irish game."

He also paid tribute to the IRFU for working beyond the traditional rugby heartlands. John Treacy, chief executive of the Irish Sports Council paid tribute to the IRFU in developing sporting programmes while the union, through its chief executive Philip Browne, highlighted the essential financial support of the ISC to carry out the development programmes.

PROGRAMME

IRFU costs ISC support 2004-2005 2004-2005

RDO/YDO scheme €2.7 million €1.2 million Clubs of Ireland €1,884,000 €800,000

Insurance support €725,000 €290,000

Coach education €325,000 €115,000

Referee development €390,000 €160,000

Schools of Ireland €319,000 €127,000

Schools/Clubs fitness €320,000 €130,000

Underage equipment €315,000 €31,000

Tallaght project €250,000 €120,000

Reward Schools/Clubs

for Dev of Professionals €120,000 €35,000

Tag Rugby €180,000 €83,000

Colleges/Univ €100,000 €30,000

Players registration €50,000 €15,000

National rep sides (non pro) €1,991,000 €264,000

Totals €9,669,000 €3,500,000