Irish Sports Council Announces Details Of 2015 International Carding Scheme
€1.57 million in direct athlete funding for 2015
€9.73 million in high performance funding for 2015 announced to date
The Irish Sports Council today announced details of the 2015 International Carding Scheme. €1.57 million will be invested in 75 athletes from 14 sports providing direct financial assistance to Ireland's most talented players and athletes.
Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring said: "This investment will support our most talented athletes, many of whom are on the qualifying path towards Rio 2016. In addition to the direct investment, athletes will also have access to science, medicine and lifestyle support services through the Irish Sports Council's Institute of Sport".
Today's investment includes 20 athletes (9 Olympic and 11 Paralympic) on the top category of funding (Podium) of €40,000. The clear aim of the Carding Scheme is to ensure that athletes can prepare effectively for major championships including European, World, Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Kieran Mulvey, Chairman of the Irish Sports Council commented: "I want to acknowledge the exceptional performances of the athletes who have qualified for funding in 2015. The Council remains committed to direct athlete support as an important element of the overall investment strategy for high performance sport".
In 2014, Athletics Ireland, Swim Ireland and the Irish Sailing Association took over the management of the scheme for their athletes. Following that successful transition, four more NGBs will take ownership in 2015. Badminton Ireland, Triathlon Ireland, Rowing Ireland and Cycling Ireland will all take over the management of the scheme. Over time it is anticipated that the Carding Scheme will continue to evolve under the direction of the Performance Director of each sport. This transition is the key recommendation of the Review of the Carding Scheme in 2012.
Chief Executive of the Irish Sports Council John Treacy also explained: "The Irish Sports Council is pleased with the successful transfer of the Carding Scheme for Athletics, Sailing and Swimming as it has strengthened the high performance system in those sports. It has opened the way for the next phase of transition. We must continue to develop our High Performance system so that we can be competitive in international sport and the refinement of the Carding Scheme is an essential element of that process".
The International Carding Scheme is one element of the investment strategy of the Irish Sports Council for 2015. Already this year the Council has announced €8.16 million in funding for 21 sports organisations to support high performance programmes which includes the Olympic Council of Ireland and Paralympics Ireland. In addition €1.5 million is invested in services provided directly by the Institute of Sport to those sports and athletes.
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For more information contact:
- Paul McDermott, Director of High Performance, Irish Sports Council 087 6486295
- Paul Farrell, Head of Communications, Irish Sports Council, 087 7461324
Notes for the Editor
About the Scheme
The International Carding Scheme has, since its introduction in 1998, been a central part of the high performance system in Ireland. A Review of the Scheme was published in 2012 and serves as a roadmap for its development. It is based on a number of key principles including:
- Direct funding to athletes will be retained
- The sports will be directly responsible for management of the scheme
- It will be more fully integrated with other support & funding programmes
- The overall budget line will be retained but individual payments will be more flexible
- Investment will be based on performance and accountability
The Review includes a wide range of recommendations that will be applied across a variety of sports. Full implementation will take some time and will take place on a phased basis. The final outcome will be a very different scheme to the one currently in operation.
The management and administration of the scheme is being transferred to high performance sports. The Council will maintain a strong oversight function. The new system will lead to:
- A more integrated HP system
- More focus on system objectives and better return on investment
- Greater responsibility within the NGB
"Fit for Purpose" Criteria
The International Carding Scheme Review recommended that, on a phased basis, targeted NGBs who meet 'fit for purpose' criteria will take responsibility for management of the scheme. The criteria cover six areas and reflect the "NGB Readiness" factors set out in the Review.
1. Governance structures of the sport
2. Good financial management in the sport
3. Commitment to Anti-Doping
4. Functioning High Performance Plan
5. Presence of a HP Director
6. Administrative capacity to manage the scheme
7. NGB commits to implementing the Review
8. There is an Internal Appeals Process in place
For 2015 Badminton Ireland, Triathlon Ireland, Rowing Ireland and Cycling Ireland will take over the management of the Carding Scheme following the successful transition in 2014 of Athletics Ireland, Swim Ireland and the Irish Sailing Association.
PODIUM ATHLETES 2015
Robert Heffernan Athletics
Katie Taylor Boxing
Joe Ward Boxing
Michael Conlan Boxing
Paddy Barnes Boxing
Derek Burnett Shooting *
Colin Lynch Cycling (Para)
Martyn Irvine Cycling
Mark Rohan Cycling (Para)
Katie George Dunlevy Cycling (Para) *
Eoghan Clifford Cycling (Para) *
Michael McKillop Paralympics Ireland (Athletics)
Jason Smyth Paralympics Ireland (Athletics)
Orla Barry Paralympics Ireland (Athletics)
Ellen Keane Paralympics Ireland (Swimming)
Darragh McDonald Paralympics Ireland (Swimming)
Laurence McGivern Paralympics Ireland (Swimming)
James Scully Paralympics Ireland (Swimming)
Annalise Murphy Sailing
Aileen Reid Triathlon
*These athletes agreed that apportion of their funding would be invested directly in their programme by their NGB
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