NISF - Northern Ireland Sports Forum

THE FUTURE FOR YOUR SPORT IS IN YOUR HANDS

The draft 'The Northern Ireland Strategy for Sport and Physical Recreation, 2001 - 2017' was recently published for consultation.

As part of that process the NI Sports Forum hosted a Governing Bodies consultation event on the Strategy on Thursday 29 November 2007 in Lisburn.

The well-attended event was facilitated by staff from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL)and Sport NI (SNI).

After presentations by SNI and DCAL staff, attendees debated the various issues in groups, specifically focusing on the questions in the draft Strategy and feeding back views to SNI and DCAL. Discussion was lively and passionate and the SNI/DCAL facilitators expressed themselves well-pleased with the views that emerged.

A summary of those views is to appear on the SNI website in the next week or two. That should provide a useful prompt to submission of your own responses to the Strategy document, bearing in mind that responses to the Strategy document must be received by the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure Sports Branch no later than 9th January 2008. Their e-mail address is sports@dcalni.gov.uk .

It is very important that as many as possible respond the Strategy consultation as Governing Bodies, Clubs and individuals as this is your chance to influence the way forward for YOUR sport.

To view the Strategy consultation document please go to http://www.dcalni.gov.uk/final_consultation_draft_october_2007_-_the_northern_ireland_strategy_for_sport_and_physical_recreation_2007_-_2017.pdf

Contact Lyne on E: lynegreenwood@nisf.net or T: 028 9038 3825 if you have any questions.

We would like to thank all those who attended and who made this event so worthwhile.

SPORTS FORUM AGM

The Sports Forum's AGM on Thursday, 13 December 2007 at the Belfast Activity Centre turned out to be quite a lively affair.

There was naturally some disappointment that the promised attendance by the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure Minister, Edwin Poots, did not materialise due to another engagement. However his place was ably filled by the Department's Permanent Secretary, Paul Sweeney.

Paul paid tribute to the work of the Forum and to all volunteers in sport, without whom participation in sports would not happen. He referred to the Strategy for Sport document that is now out for public consultation and stressed the importance of responses being sent to the Department by 8th January 2008.

To view the Strategy consultation document please go to http://www.dcalni.gov.uk/final_consultation_draft_october_2007_-_the_northern_ireland_strategy_for_sport_and_physical_recreation_2007_-_2017.pdf

When questioned about the concept of 'joined up Government' he admitted that at draft stage there had been a very poor response from other Departments who were consulted before the draft Strategy document was issued.

During the lively question and answer session the absence of demonstrable Government Department collaboration, especially between DCAL and Health and Education was raised as well as the intolerable rates burden on sports clubs that is forcing some of them out of existence.

Other issues raised included the National Stadium, the Olympics and the need to steer funding to sport and physical recreation to prevent many of the health problems that are so costly for the health service to treat.

Mr Sweeney reminded members that there is only a finite amount of money to go round and that the NI Executive would have difficult decisions to make as to where its priorities lay when the budget is finalised in the New Year.

He acknowledged the valuable contribution of the NI Sports Forum as the independent voice representing the Governing Bodies of Sport in NI and exhorted the Forum to continue lobbying on their behalf.

ANNUAL REPORT REVAMP

Contact Lyne (lynegreenwood@nisf.net) to receive an electronic copy of our revamped Annual Report and let us know what you think

SAVE £150!

Please make sure someone from your sport, organisation or club is present at the upcoming Safe Practice Recruitment of those who work with Children Seminar.

It is being jointly run by the Sports Forum and the Child Protection in Sport Unit.

It will take place on Thursday 07 February 2008, 6.30pm for 7pm start, at Athletics House (Old Coach Road, Belfast) and is free of charge.

If you have any queries, wish to reserve a place or receive the full programme / invite please contact Lyne on T: 028 9038 3825 or E: lynegreenwood@nisf.net

£500 - £5,000 GRANTS AVAILABLE TO SPORT

TABLE QUIZ TIME

IRISH CRICKET UNION - JOIN THE TEAM

IRISH INDOOR ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIPS

Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 January 2007- Odyssey Arena: Belfast, www.indoorathletics.netSaturday 26 & Sunday 27 January 2007- Odyssey Arena: Belfast, www.indoorathletics.net

The Odyssey Arena will one again be transformed into a showcase for top class athletics for the biggest event in the Irish Indoor Athletics calendar, with competition for places on the Irish Team for the World Indoor Championships, Valencia.

The 2007 event featured the Decathlon World Record Holder, Olympic Gold Medalist ROMAN SEBRLE who went on to become Word Champion in Osaka. World Cup Champion and Olympic Silver Medalist FRANCIS FRANANDEZ from Spain was present and in the Men's 60m was Ireland's PAUL HESSION who set a new Irish record. If you can't make it to Beijing for the 2008 Olympics, why not come to Belfast instead and see International stars competing against the best Irish athletes for that all important Gold!

Tickets are available from Athletics Northern Ireland office (028 9060 2707).

Please come and support this superb event and see international athletes on your doorstep.

Family fun and entertainment for all!

Tickets start at just £9 for adults!!

BENEFITS TO INCORPORATED BODIES

The Companies Act 2006 (the Act) which received Royal Assent on 08 November 2006, will extend fully to Northern Ireland when implementation is finalised, bringing major benefits to incorporated bodies by modernising and simplifying company law.

In line with its commencement timetable, a major tranche of provisions was commenced on 01 October 2007, including those relating to directors' general duties, the business review and company resolutions and meetings. A further tranche of provisions will be commenced with effect from 06 April 2008, including those relating to accounts and reports, audit and abolishing the obligation on private companies to have company secretaries.

The Written Statement (WS2/07) explained that the Companies House in Cardiff would require sufficient time to implement important changes to its systems and processes affecting other important areas, such as company formation etc, and that provisions relating to these areas would not be commenced until 01 October 2008.

However, a certainty is needed about the implementation timetable and a considerable amount of work is still required, the Government has decided to delay the commencement date for most of the provisions due to be commenced on 01 October 2008 until 01 October 2009.

A major operation is currently ongoing to integrate Companies Registry for NI (CRNI) with CH. This was also scheduled for completion by October 2008. The Government's decision now means that it will be necessary to delay full integration until October 2009.

The Minister's full statement may be accessed on http://www.berr.gov.uk/bbf/co-act-2006/index.html

POTENTIAL 2012 PROSPECTS

There is a proposed BBC NI TV Documentary upcoming which will look to profile a number of potential London Olympic 2012 athletes!

This email is to ask the Sports Governing Body of Olympic Sports to contact Karen Bowen, About-Face Media Productions, with the name(s) of potential athlete(s) and a short profile on them.

This is a unique opportunity for Olympic Sport athletes - make sure you get in touch!

Karen Bowen, Producer, About-Face Media Productions
E: karen.bowen@aboutface.co.uk