Response
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1. How can sport play a more effective role as part of the wider government strategies in
the following areas?
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Combatting physical health conditions: The latest evidence in a systematic review shows
moderate support for the health benefits of sport. Can link sport to attainment of
vigorous physical activity and muscle and bone strengthening activity, which have strong
health benefits. This requires greater consideration of how sport is delivered
particularly in relation to the competencies of coaches. The latest evidence from
Australis shows that in an hour long session, each child is active for about 33 minutes
thus sport alone is not helping the child to reach their daily 60 minutes of MVPA and
may explain the lack of strong evidence for the health benefits of sport directly. It is
however an extremely important source of PA to contribute to related physical and
broader health benefits. There is a direct link here to Healthy Ireland and their plan for
improving health of all citizens – this is related to the next two sections also.
Addressing mental health issues: would recommend the term ‘emotional health and
wellbeing’ here. Sport should be associated with developing positive strategies to
ensure greater emotional health. Again, this is dependant often on how sport is
provided and delivered and linked as a result to coaching competencies. Munster GAA
have looked at why parents choose sport for their children and the main responses were
around health benefits, social benefits, personal development; more than skill
development. In terms of wider government strategies for health and education, sport
can be an integral part of any action plan for developing young people into balanced,
responsible, healthy adults.
Enhancing social inclusion and integration: again, these softer benefits of sport are
invaluable. Sport is an excellent tool for community development, integration, inclusion
in a number of settings; youth at risk, older adults, disability groups. Huge potential for
collaboration here.
Contributing to economic growth
The GAA, most notably, as well as other NGBs are aware of the potential of the sports
club as a setting or health promotion. The club can provide health promotion directly or
act as an ideal conduit for the delivery of health promotion initiatives by health
professionals. This relatively new setting for health promotion, given its community
context, and positive status in Ireland, could contribute hugely to Healthy Ireland goals.
2. Who should the Government target to increase participation levels in sport – e.g. get the
inactive to start participating; get the active more active; or other targets?
Both targets are required but different strategies for each. A male only programme
(Men on the Move) is having success reaching out to inactive men; such gender
sensitised strategies are required.
3. How can the reach and influence of the sports sector be used to get more people active,
especially those who have been inactive for a long time?
Utilising the sports club and pitching sport as a social, fun, community concept is a
sensible idea. The GAA Healthy Club Project is showing how the club and sense of place
is successfully engaging typically hard to reach groups.
4. How should under-represented groups be targeted in order to narrow the existing
gradients in participation levels across the lifecycle, in particular disability, gender and
social gradients?
Again, specific strategies required. Focus for all need to be on fun, social, positive
experience.
5. What is the scope for collaboration between different sports to promote greater
participation in sport at all levels?
This is important. Team sports hugely valuable for there is often a finite life cycle, must
be transition into other sports/activities. Seeing this in clubs being used as a setting for
walking groups, Park Run’s etc.
6. How can support for traditional sports and new emerging sports be balanced with
increasing participation levels?
There is little evidence for the demonstration effects of new sports where there is often
a kick back after a high profile event/participant experience. Unless there are
sustainable investments in new emerging sports, it is likely their life span will be limited.
The existing reach and resources of traditional sports cannot be underestimated but
they require focus to ensure that their operations are conducive to growing participation
and retention. This once again comes back to coaching and development.
7. How should the drop-off points in participation by children and young people be
addressed?
In the GAA for example, a large national competition (Feile) precedes an almost
immediate drop in participation. The sudden transition to an emphasis on competition
and a move away from participation is problematic. There are similar competitions in
other sports. There must be an acceptance that many will just not want to play sport
but others are moving away because they are not enjoying it and not actually getting to
play. They are players, they are playing sport, yet ‘play’ is almost lost.
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8. How should investment in participation be measured?
Directly through participation rates but must also value process and look at what
initiatives are delivered, how, number of contact points with people and groups,
measure implementation etc. Also, measures of structural change and organisational
change, which may have a delayed return on participation must be planned and
evaluated, and valued equally. If the structure and foundations are not right,
investment in initiatives at will is ill advised. I would encourage a review of the Women
in Sport funding model – it is difficult to ascertain where money has been allocated to
but funding initiatives and not investing in structures and an organisational context for
the women in sport agenda is a disappointment thus far. There has been some energy
in the past year with a women in sport conference but a once off event and once off
initiatives are not going to change the landscape for women in sport. I would strongly
encourage the development of a working group for women in sport that is led by the
Department and Sport Ireland that outlines a clear strategy and action plan for this topic
area.
9. Are there other challenges and issues that need to be addressed in this area?
My overall feeling in relation to capital funding for facilities is we need to think carefully about
how we invest, and how we manage these investments. Specifically, I think we need to look around
and see the extent of the facilities we already have in place and think carefully about where
investment is best needed and how current and new facilities can be best used to promote broader
sport goals in relation to inclusion, integration, health etc. In a GAA context, every community has
facilities, many counties have exemplar facilities but they are not being used to promote inclusion,
health etc. Most funding is based on reach and inclusion stats but where is the follow through on
this. I have heard of several cases where female participation numbers are used in grant proposals
but subsequently they face many challenges accessing these same facilities. This is a huge concern
and needs to be governed properly going forward. At county level, in the GAA, many female squads
cannot access their often state funded facilities. Yes, overheads may exist but there needs to be
greater oversight to ensure that every effort is made to have these facilities open and accessible to
all.
10. What are the views of stakeholders on introducing requirements for gender balance in
NGB leadership?
Overall, I think an appropriate skill set and competencies should be the main deciding factor for
anyone applying for any position. Gender quotas are required when change is stagnant but they
must be linked with development strategies that facilitate and encourage women to step into
leadership positions. The latter is an absolute necessity to show true commitment to
developing women’s role in sport.
11. How can it be ensured that sports coaching is as effective as possible at all levels and
that coaches are given the necessary support to work with a variety of people, including
children, older people and people with disabilities?
We need to look at how coach education includes softer skills in relation to communication,
personal development, listening etc. Coaches are now in a position of responsibility where they can
be a very important adult in a young persons life. Not every coach has the natural capacities to fulfil
this position so it is essential that coach education from a foundation level integrates this aspect of
coach development.
12. Is there scope for non-formal, community based and/or formal education opportunities
for adults that could assist NGBs in supporting volunteers in order to meet the changing
requirements of sport administration, coaching etc.?
Volunteers are an essential component of sport but organisations need to take care with how they
allocate volunteers to positions in a sports context. A person’s willingness to help should be
facilitated but directed where possible to an appropriate task or area. We need to take volunteering
seriously as it is integral to any actualisation of sporting policies, strategies etc.
13. Are there opportunities for the sports sector to work more effectively with other sectors
and for the public and private sector to work together to deliver public policy objectives
in sport?
I would urge caution in this context particularly in relation to the motive of the private
and commercial sector. Strong leadership, management and terms of reference are
required to maintain the veracity of any action in this area. I worry that the women in
sport agenda for example is sometimes wound up in a commercial opportunity and
requires leadership from the appropriate governing authority.
14. As there will always be competition for Government resources between different
priorities, what is the most significant reason why sports funding should be maintained/
increased?
Reasons are outlined in the health benefits but evidence is needed that supports and
justifies investment in sport. Evaluation and surveillance is essential as are clear,
outcome based and process focused strategies and actions. International evidence
exists to encourage sports promotion and this should be carefully considered in relation
to future investment. Facilities are not strongly linked to participation for example.
There is little evidence for a role model effect except when they are local, real and
relevant, which fits perfect with the Irish context.
15. Are there gaps in the current evidence base for sport?
I think gaps relate to implementing and evaluating evidence based strategies particularly
carrying out process as well as outcome related evaluations. Behaviour change is
complex and may require long term planning but good process should always be
maintained.