International Carding Scheme
In 2024, Sport Ireland will invest €4,400,000 under the International Carding Scheme. This will support 123 athletes and nine relays/ pool funding in 16 sports. Sport Ireland continues to support the Women’s Senior Hockey team through the Player Funding Scheme in 2024 with an allocation of €300,000.
Under the advancements of the International Carding Scheme announced in 2022, 88 athletes that achieved criteria in 2022 secured multi-year funding on the Scheme for 2023 and 2024, subject to the terms and conditions of the International Carding Scheme. Athletes were supported to focus on qualification and performance at the Paris Games in 2024. A number of athletes achieved a higher criteria in 2023, and therefore, secured an increased award for 2024.
Sport Ireland’s Athlete Career Transition (ACT) Programme, introduced in 2022, has continued to provide financial and services support to carded athletes upon retirement. The ACT programme provided support to five athletes in 2023 bringing the total of athletes supported through this programme to 38.
Highlights of the 2024 International Carding Scheme
- 33 athletes have been awarded the top category of Podium funding
- 31 athletes have been awarded World Class funding
- 59 athletes have been awarded International funding
- Two relays in Athletics, 4 x 400m Mixed and 4 x 400m Women’s Relays, and three relays in Swimming, Men’s, and Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay, and Women’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay have been awarded funding for 2024.
- Pool funding has been awarded in Boxing and Gymnastics to support targeted athletes
- Of the 123 athletes, 65 (53%) are male and 58 (47%) are female
- 22 Para athletes, representing 18% of overall athletes, are supported and an additional six pilots / guides are also supported in Para Cycling and Para Triathlon