HOCKEY IRELAND TO RECEIVE ENHANCED SUPPORT OVER NEXT TWO YEARS FOLLOWING SPORT IRELAND FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT
Sport Ireland today announced an improved funding model for all Irish Olympic sports, including Hockey, as part of the Government’s National Sports Policy 2018-2027. The additional €4m of investment provided for 2023 will be directed to specific initiatives within high performance sport, including hockey.
Coaching, Paris 2024, athlete supports and High-Performance strategy activation are priority investment areas for Sport Ireland. It will address one-off costs for high performance programs and give recognition to the increased costs of doing business in high performance sport.
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin TD said: “Through this funding we can continue to support and champion our athletes with their sporting journeys in European and World Championships, while also assisting them with achieving qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The National Sports Policy 2021-2032 aims to provide continuous support to our High-Performance Program through increased levels of funding.”
Chief Executive of Sport Ireland Dr Úna May commented: “Our High-Performance Strategy sets high ambitions. In order for these objectives to be achieved, athletes and organizations require consistent support. Sport Ireland will invest over €40m throughout the Paris Cycle (2021-2024). This is an increase from 31m in the Tokyo Cycle (2017-2020), a rise of 30%.”
The total Sport Ireland funding into Hockey Ireland is €3.3m for the Paris Cycle.
Commenting on today’s Sport Ireland announcement, Hockey Ireland High Performance Director, Lisa Jacob noted: “Hockey Ireland is a very big beneficiary of the funding announced today. Not only does it continue, but it increases the support we have received from Sport Ireland over many years now.”
“The additional direct athlete support will enable women’s hockey to prepare and perform with no barriers to maximizing their collective potential. The team and Hockey Ireland recognize the opportunity it presents to excel, and hopefully qualify, for Paris 2024. We will be working hard to ensure we can deliver on this investment.”
