HOCKEY IRELAND IS set to be the main beneficiary from Sport Ireland’s injection of high performance funding to national governing bodies following the success of the women’s team at the recent World Cup.
In total, 17 organisations will benefit from the additional €1.5 million in funding announced by Minister for Sport Shane Ross last week, with Sport Ireland confirming the breakdown today.
On the back of Graham Shaw’s side winning silver in London, Hockey Ireland has been allocated €500,000, which will assist both the men’s and women’s national teams in their bid to qualify for Tokyo 2020.
Today’s announcement is a significant boost for Hockey Ireland and supplements the €520,000 in high performance funding it received from Sport Ireland at the start of 2018.
The extra funding will also further enhance Hockey Ireland’s player support system, advance the establishment of a base at the National Sports Campus and facilitate greater engagement with the Sport Ireland institute.
“Hockey Ireland is absolutely delighted with today’s announcement of additional funding of €500,000,” Hockey Ireland CEO, Jerome Pels, said.
“This is a great addition to the already substantial high performance funding we have received for 2018, which included a special grant for World Cup participation.
“We are very grateful for the continued support of Sport Ireland in providing funding, facilities and services that allow our players to play at the highest level of our sport.
“This is fantastic news helping hockey to progress towards Olympic Qualification and a good result in Tokyo.”
Horse Sport Ireland and the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) will each receive €175,000 as part of allocation, with the latter being supported ahead of pre-competition camps in the build up to Tokyo.
In addition, Ross said an additional €250,000 will be made available for high performance equipment, with Rowing Ireland and the Irish Sailing Association in line for support two summers out from the 2020 Games.
Chairman of Sport Ireland, Kieran Mulvey, commented: “Sport Ireland is grateful for the additional funding for high performance sport, which followed detailed discussion with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Minister.
“The National Sports Policy which was published recently highlights the need for increased investment in high performance sport if Ireland is to reach its potential on the international stage. The funding being announced today is an important step towards this objective.”
Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, John Treacy, added: “In early 2018, Sport Ireland identified an immediate need for investment in order to offset the high costs associated with qualifying and preparing for 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo and participation in other key World Championship events.
“We have worked closely with the National Governing Bodies to ensure that this funding will be targeted towards enhancing athlete and team performance. We look forward to seeing a return on this much-needed investment in the years ahead.”
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