Sports stars to lead FIS submission over funding

SPORTS FUNDING:RUGBY'S PAUL O'Connell, boxing's Katie Taylor and Tipperary hurler Lar Corbett are a few of the big name sports stars who will support the Federation of Irish Sports in their submission to the Government today in the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

The three will be accompanied by European silver medallist Andrew Bree from swimming, Wexford All-Ireland-winning camogie player Claire O’Connor and Special Olympian Robert Deegan. In an open letter, the FIS hope to influence Government thinking about sport and the funding allocation to the Irish Sports Council prior to next month’s budget.

Concern within sporting federations is the Government will severely cut the €50 million a year given to sports bodies for development and administration.

The FIS hope to persuade Minister Mary Hanafin the investment in sport is repaid many times over and services an industry worth in excess of €1.8 billion each year.

It is the first time top athletes have overtly supported the FIS, who represent the interests of 68 sports federations throughout Ireland, more even than the Sports Council does.

“Sport does not just happen,” said FIS chief executive Sarah O’Connor. “Sport needs to be planned, managed, financed and delivered. We understand there is an unprecedented economic challenge but we are asking that tax payer’s investment through the Irish Sports Council is preserved.”

Founded in 2002, the FIS became the principal body that represents the federations to government. They are an advocacy group and part of their brief is to highlight the breadth of sport throughout the country and press home the fact it is not a net taker but giver to the wider community.

Today they will represent the 1.7 million adults who actively participate in sport and the 270,000 adults who volunteer their time each week.

“It must be remembered only a small proportion (of money) goes to our elite performers. Over 80 per cent of the money provided by the Government is invested in sport at grassroots level,” say the FIS.

Ireland secondrow O’Connell is recovering from a groin injury, while triple world champion Taylor was recently voted the best female amateur boxer in the world for the second time by the International Amateur Boxing Federation (IABA).

Tipperary corner forward Corbett was voted Hurler of the Year this year and is a two-time All-Ireland medal winner, while Deegan is a Special Olympian at table tennis.