International Carding Scheme

In 2025, Sport Ireland will invest €4,500,000 under the International Carding Scheme and the Player Funding Scheme. This will support 129 athletes and eleven relays/pool funding across 16 sports. Sport Ireland continues to support the Player Funding Scheme, and in 2025, an allocation of €450,000 will be allocated to Hockey Ireland to support players in its Senior Men and Women’s teams.   

Sport Ireland’s Athlete Career Transition Programme, introduced in 2022, continues to provide financial and services support to carded athletes upon retirement. 15 athletes were supported in 2024, bringing the total to 53 across the Paris cycle. 

Highlights of the 2025 International Carding Scheme

• 29 athletes have been awarded the top category of Podium funding
• 28 athletes have been awarded World Class funding
• 72 athletes have been awarded International funding
• Two relays in Athletics, 4 x 400m Mixed and 4 x 400m Women’s Relays, and five relays in Swimming, Men’s, and Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay, Women’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay, Men’s 4x200m Freestyle Relay and the Mixed 4x100m have been awarded funding for 2025.
• Pool funding has been awarded in Boxing, Para Cycling and Gymnastics to support targeted athletes
• Of the 129 athletes, 72 (56%) are male and 57 (44%) are female
• 22 Para athletes, representing 17% of overall athletes, are supported and an additional five pilots / guides are also supported in Para Cycling and Para Triathlon