Following on from a very positive year for Athletics in Ireland in 2014– from Grassroots to Elite it has been announced today by the Irish Sports Council that Athletics Ireland will receive €1.7m investment from the Irish Sports Council; €885k core funding and €880K to support for the implementation of the Performance Plan.

This core funding of €885k will support the growth of Athletics Ireland Membership which reached an all-time high of 54,000 in 2014 up 10% on 2013 with 21 new clubs formed. Since 2007 the membership has more than doubled (up 120%).

CEO of Athletics Ireland said “Athletics in Ireland is a positive place, we are growing and we are performing. The support received from the Irish Sports council coupled with the funding we generate as an association will enable us to deliver on our strategic mission to support and develop the athletes of Ireland of all ages, disciplines and abilities.”

The Irish Sports Council today announced an investment of €880K for the continued delivery of the High Performance Plan  which identified 24 medal opportunities at major championships from 2013-2016 with the  core objective to have “More Irish Athletes Winning on the World Stage”.   With 12 medals won to date and record breaking performances dominating 2014, the ambitious target is on track.

Following the successful transfer of the management of carding to Athletics Ireland, the High Performance Director, Kevin Ankrom will continue to manage this process. The names of the selected athletes and their carding allocation for Podium, World Class and International athletes carding scheme will be announced in the coming weeks in conjunction with the Sports Council.

• Support Services: Investment will be made to provide for Support Services for athletes covering medical, physiotherapist and soft tissue services in addition to the services of physiologists, nutritionists and strength and conditioning experts. 
• Competition: 2015 is an extremely busy competition year with 10 European Championships and Three World Championships coupled with the increasing number of athletes hitting standards which will need significant investment to support.
• Training Camps:  2015 is a key stepping stone towards performance in Olympic Games in Rio in 2016 now over the half way point in the Olympic cycle.  Athletes who have been identified as having potential will be given the opportunity to attend altitude and warm weather camps which are seen as integral in preparation for major championships.

Kevin Ankrom, High Performance Director said “Overall we are very pleased that the Irish Sports Council has granted  additional funding for the High Performance programme allowing for the appropriate support to be given to athletes in what is a key year on the road to Rio 2016.” He added “The support received is also a reflection of how we are on track to delivering the medal opportunities identified in the High Performance Strategic Plan”