NISF - Northern Ireland Sports Forum

SPORTS MINISTER SECURES ADDITIONAL FUNDING

Sports Minister Edwin Poots MLA has confirmed that he has secured additional funding to replace the Â£4.2 million Lottery sports money which has been redirected to the 2012 London Olympics.

Speaking on Thursday the Minister said "Many sports organisations were bitterly disappointed when they learned that their capital applications for Lottery funding, administered through Sport NI, had been unsuccessful.

"I became very concerned about the seriousness of this issue when several clubs contacted me for help. On one hand as Minister for Sport, I am trying to improve sports facilities across Northern Ireland and on the other hand, money that would have been used for this purpose has been redirected to London to fund the Olympics 2012 capital infrastructure. It really was a catch 22 situation.

"I am therefore very pleased that my endeavours have paid off and that I have identified a process through the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) which will more than replace the money previously lost.

"As a result of this money, organisations that have previously learned that their capital applications for schemes would not be funded are now likely to receive a positive response.

"I am very pleased with this outcome. This is good news for sports and good news for Northern Ireland."

In addition, the Sports Forum is continuing to campaign hard for 100% Discretionary Rates Relief for sports clubs and we will keep you updated on developments!

For further information please contact the DCAL Press Office on

T: 028 9025 8901 or E: press.office@dcalni.gov.uk

NI INCLUDED IN LONDON 2012 PRE-GAMES TRAINING CAMPS

Many of Northern Ireland's best sporting venues have made the grade and will be included in the London 2012 Pre-Games Training Camp Guide.

The London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) announced that 27 venues in Northern Ireland will be included in the guide, to be published at this year's games in Beijing. The guide lists over 600 high-quality sports facilities across the UK which are capable of hosting visiting teams or individual athletes wishing to take part in the 2012 Games.

Sports Minister Edwin Poots MLA welcomed the announcement at Lisnagarvey Hockey club, one of the venues chosen to appear in the guide. The Minister said "We have some very high-quality facilities in Northern Ireland and I am very pleased to see them recognised and included in the Pre-Games Training Camp Guide. Our venues are a match to those in the rest of the UK and we should be very proud of what we can offer to the rest of the world.

"I want to see a legacy from the Olympic Games that will last far beyond 2012. We can use this opportunity to boost our sporting infrastructure, promote Northern Ireland as a tourist destination and prepare for the forthcoming World Police and Fire Games in 2013."

Earlier today, the Minister visited Andersonstown Leisure Centre, to congratulate them on their success in being one of the 27 sports venues to appear in the guide, "Inclusion in this guide highlights the real benefits Northern Ireland can derive from the London 2012 games and indeed, how we can get involved at a grass-roots and elite level."

The guide will be circulated to all National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and National Paralympic Committees (NPCs). These organisations will then decide where they base themselves or where to send individual athletes to prepare and acclimatise for London 2012.

The Minister continued "We still have some way to go to ensure we can get teams to Northern Ireland. There is fierce competition among the venues and it is up to the regions and venues to sell their wares and make sure they stand out from the crowd."

LOCOG is offering a financial award of up to Â£25,000 to NOCs / NPCs to help encourage teams to base themselves in the UK.

Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the London Organising Committee, commented "The process we have been through shows a great spread of high quality facilities throughout the UK that can be used by elite level athletes and the online website can continue to be used after the games to locate sporting facilities. We said that we wanted the London Games to be for athletes, and the facilities listed in this guide will really help overseas athletes prepare well. It also provides a great opportunity for towns throughout the UK to get involved in our plans."

SPORTS RESOLUTIONS UK

As from Monday 03 March 2008, the Sports Disputes Resolution Panel (SDRP) started trading as Sports Resolutions UK from new offices at 107 Fleet Street, London, EC4A 2AB.

The SDRP was a company set up to provide sport with mediation and arbitration to resolve disputes. It was a product of the Confederation of British Sport and the Sports Forum Chairman, Ken Nixon, is a Director of both Companies.

The plans for the development of the Company, which has had the support of UK Sport over many years, were boosted by the decision of UK Sport after open competition to confirm that the Company will be the service provider for the new National Anti-Doping Panel and Tribunal Service.

Sports Resolutions is the UK's only dispute resolution service dedicated exclusively to sport - there to help!

For further information please visit their website www.sportresolutions.co.uk

SPORT RELIEF IN BELFAST

The Sainsbury's Sport Relief Mile is back in Belfast for 2008 - people can register to take part at sportrelief.com .

Following the huge success of the flagship Belfast Mile event in 2006, the 2008 Mile will take place on Sunday 16th March. Milers in Belfast can look forward to a fun day out while raising mountains of cash. It all begins in Custom House Square, where they'll limber up and enjoy the atmosphere before the Mile kicks off.

Becky Morris of Small World Music said: "We're delighted that Belfast has been selected to host this exciting event once again. It was a huge success in 2006 and we're looking forward to seeing thousands of residents taking part this year, getting sponsored and raising money for Sport Relief".

Last time a staggering 400,000 men, women and children did a Mile for Sport Relief - including Prince William who ran at Sandhurst, giving his royal seal of approval.

Belfast Milers can choose to do 1, 3 or 6 miles, so can select the distance that is a challenge for them and make sure they get sponsored while they do it.

Famous faces from the worlds of sport and entertainment such as Leona Lewis, the Spice Girls, Davina McCall, Alan Shearer, James Cracknell, Tess Daly and Mark Ramprakash are all lending their support to this year's campaign.

Sport Relief 2008 is all about challenging yourself, friends, family and colleagues to do something sporty and raise cash. The ultimate challenge for the public is doing the Sainsbury's Sport Relief Mile where hundreds of thousands of people across the UK will take to the streets and go the distance for Sport Relief.

Sport Relief harnesses the power and passion of sport to change lives for the better. By doing sport, having fun and raising money, everyone can do good and feel good. Comic Relief spends the money raised to help vulnerable people living incredibly tough lives both at home in the UK and in the world's poorest countries.

Olympic gold medal winning rower, James Cracknell will be taking the lead in inspiring the nation by undertaking a momentous challenge whereby he travels from England to Africa under his own steam. Alan Shearer and Adrian Chiles will also be rising to the challenge for Sport Relief when they take on a Newcastle to London cycle ride.

This year record breaking X-Factor superstar Leona Lewis will be releasing the official Sport Relief single.

Tune in for a fantastic night of TV entertainment on Friday 14th March. Sir Alan Sugar is set to boss ten top celebrity candidates in Sport Relief Does the Apprentice, Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly will be hosting a very special edition of Strictly Come Dancing and Stephen Fry will be keeping the teams in line for a Question of Sport Relief - and much, much more.

Live coverage from the Mile events will be shown during The Sport Relief Mile Show on Sunday 16th March on BBC ONE, with those participating being the stars of the show.

CYCLING ULSTER OPPORTUNITY

Cycling Ulster are looking to appoint a Development Officer to advise and assist Cycling Ulster with its modernisation programme, the development of cycling, and assist with the development and promotion of the Club Accreditation Programme.

For full information and to access the job description please follow the link http://www.cyclingulster.com/index.php?thenewsid=2576&newstable=news

NEW COACHING COURSES

HAVE YOUR SAY!

Following a period of consultation and research, draft proposals for a new Quality Framework for Sports Clubs in Northern Ireland have been developed and can be accessed using the following link - http://www.sportni.net/qualityframework08.htm

The draft proposals identify Sport Northern Ireland's commitment to the development of quality sports clubs and outline `how', working with you, Sport NI can achieve the targets within the Strategy for Sport & Physical Recreation 2008-18.

As a key stakeholder with a vested interest in the development of sport and sports clubs in Northern Ireland, Sport NI would appreciate your written comments in relation to the proposals outlined in the consultation document.

Responses must be received no later than 4.00pm on Friday 29th August.

UPCOMING DATES IN THE SPORTING DIARY

Put these provisional dates in your diary for upcoming Sports Forum evening events:

Risk Assessment and Insurance in Sport, Thursday 02 October

Sports Resolutions UK, Thursday 06 November
AGM, Thursday 04 December

Thursday 19 February 2009, Child Protection in Sport.

If you wish for further information or book a place, please contact Lyne on T: 028 9038 3825 or E: lynegreenwood@hotmail.com

UPSKILL YOUR PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER

Richard McCormick outlined the legacy for the Making the Media Work for You event by offering Governing Body / Club PROs the opportunity to upskill on terms of integrated media.

This is an excellent opportunity for governing bodies to offer their PROs / club PROs to come together and offer an excellent capacity building exercise!

If you are interested please inform your governing body and then let Lyne know how many people you wish to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity!

COACH OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCED

Coach Patrick McKillop received the top honour at the Sport Northern Ireland Coach of the Year awards. Patrick who is coach to the current world Paralympic 800m champion and the 1500m silver medallist Michael McKillop, was presented with the Performance Athlete Coach Award and named overall Coach of the Year at the gala ceremony at the University of Ulster on Tuesday 10 June.

Present at the awards, sponsored by Podium4Sport, were 15 finalist Coaches who had been nominated in the categories of Youth Sport, Young Athlete Development, Performance Sport, Disability and Lifetime Contribution. MC for the evening was BBC's Mark Sidebottom and Northern Ireland Football Manager Nigel Worthington presented Patrick with the Performance Athlete and Overall Coach of the Year Awards.

Speaking on the night Eamonn McCartan Chief Executive of Sport Northern Ireland commented "We have heard amazing examples of commitment and dedication of time and energy to others this evening. I hope all of the finalists, and indeed the many more coaches who were nominated, feel suitably proud of the important role they play in sport."

On receiving his awards Patrick said "I didn't know my fellow coach, Stephen Rooney, had nominated me so when Sport Northern Ireland phoned to say I was a finalist I was totally shocked, but very honoured. I am not involved in coaching to receive an award, but it is a privilege to be here tonight along with other coaches and to be recognised for the work we do."

Category Winners:

Youth Sport, Joe Norwood, Football
Young Athlete Development, Ian Walker, Volleyball
Disability, Gerard McAnulty, GAA.
Lifetime Contribution, Jim Nelson, GAA
Performance Athlete, Patrick McKillop, Athletics