Themed ‘Find Your Team’, the campaign was developed by SSI to increase participation in sport amongst the student population, to encourage students to get back into college sports, and to join a sports club on their return to campus this month.

Research by SSI revealed that the key factors that influenced students to play a college sport and join a sports club were the opportunity to make new friends, socialise, and boost fitness levels.

This insight provided the creative spark for ‘Find Your Team’; the idea that college sport is truly social, provides the opportunity to make lifelong friends, and is the perfect break from studies.

The campaign, which was funded by SSI affiliated HEIs and a Sport Ireland grant was created and developed for SSI by London-based sports marketing company Designroom Sport.

Using a creative online platform, the campaign, under the banner ‘Find Your Team’, empowers college sports clubs to develop customised digital campaigns that boost awareness of their sport amongst the college population.

Speaking at a photocall to mark the launch of the ‘Find Your Team’ campaign Minister of State for Sport, the Gaeltacht and Defence Jack Chambers TD said: “It is great to see our third level colleges reopening again which is really positive for sport and physical activity.

“I would encourage all students to look for the ‘Find Your Team’ campaign and to join with students across colleges and campus in Ireland in going back to sport. It will be great to see the recovery of sport in our third level campuses over the coming weeks and months”.

Attending the photocall with the Minister SSI President Matthew Dossett said: “SSI is delighted at the start of the new academic year to be able to launch this new marketing campaign to students across 26 campuses nationwide.

“We are really encouraging students to go out and find their sport or new activity and engage with fellow students. At SSI, we believe that sports participation at any level or code, is integral to the overall student experience and we are delighted to be able to deliver it.”

Catherine Mahony, SSI student Vice President, and a member of the SSI project team that developed the campaign was delighted to welcome the exciting student-focused initiative.

“College sport has enriched my life in ways that I could never have anticipated.  Finding a welcoming club in a new sport, a new university, and a new country has supported me physically, mentally, and socially.”

“I am honoured and excited to have been a part of the development of the Find Your Team campaign. Through the campaign, I hope that other students find the encouragement they need to get involved in a sporting experience that is as meaningful to them as mine has been to me”.

The post Student Sport Ireland Launches ‘Find Your Team’ appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Ministers Ross & Griffin have announced the establishment of an Expert Group for Sport. This group will provide guidance to sporting bodies to prepare for the phased return to sport in line with the Government Roadmap for Reopening Business & Society.
https://t.co/yHux2HvW6l pic.twitter.com/YGg7ojir9R

— DTTAS (@DttasIrl) May 16, 2020

The acting Minister for Sport, Shane Ross and Minister for State with responsibility for Sport, Brendan Griffin will be the chairpersons on the group according to RTE Sport. It is thought these will work along with medical experts from Sports Ireland and the sports sector. Additionally, officials from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport will also be involved, along with Sport Ireland.

Shane Ross said of the new group, “Like every sector in society, those involved in Irish sport at all levels have been hugely affected by the Covid-19 crisis.  They are understandably most anxious to return to normal business as soon as possible, both those involved at a high performance level and those eager to return to playing and participating in the sports they love within their communities”.

Ross said that sporting organisations are putting protocols in place and the Expert group will look at these protocols to assess the consistency of the arrangements and to make sure they are in line with the roadmap the government had set out. He said, “In my view, it is essential that the public can have confidence in how sport is being restored in Ireland and I believe that this initiative is an important confidence-building measure.”

Sport Ireland CEO John Treacy also said that sport will play a vital part as the country looks to put the coronavirus pandemic behind us. He said, “Sport will play an important role as the country looks to emerge from the current crisis”. He went on to say that the establishment of the Expert Group is a welcome step. Mr Treacy said that he understands there is a clear appetite for sports to return and the Expert Group along with the government and health officials will make this happen in a clear and safe manner.

The list of those on the new Expert group include:

Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport: Peter Hogan (Chair), Betty Griffin, James Lavelle.

Sport Ireland: Paul McDermott, Dr. Una May, Niamh O’ Sullivan, Shane Califf, Dr Jim O’Donovan (Sport Ireland Institute)

Sport Sector: Dr Rod McLoughlin (IRFU), Dr Alan Byrne (FAI), Feargal McGill (GAA), Niamh Daffy (CARA)

The post Return to Sport Group established by Government appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

John Deere Classic: PGA Tour – The John Deere Classic on the PGA Tour is set to go ahead in July at present. Dylan Frittelli won the event last season. The South African scooped over 1 million dollars in prize money.

Newmarket July Festival: Horse Racing – If horse racing is to go ahead in the UK it will likely be behind closed doors. No announcement has been made as of yet but this festival attracts all the big horses from the big stables. If it goes ahead or not as of yet I am not so sure. It is due to take place from 9-11th of July.

Summer X Games – Extreme Sports – As of now the Summer X Games are going ahead. They will take place from the 16th to the 19th of July in Minneapolis. Events include skateboarding, bmx biking and moto x.

Austrian Grand Prix – Formula One – It is likely that the Austrian Grand Prix will go ahead after after Austria have eased their restrictions in recent days. This will likely be a race where no spectators are present. It is due to take place from July 3rd to July 5th.

British Grand Prix – Formula One- The British GP organisers have said they can host two races if required over the summer. These will likely be without spectators also. It is pencilled in for July 19th at the moment.

Major League Baseball All-Star Game – Baseball – At the moment this is likely to go ahead. The USA have yet to lift restrictions. But Trump is eager to get everything back to work and return to some sort of normality. The Major League Baseball All-Star is meant to take place on July 14th.

Anthony Joshua v Kubrat Pulev: Boxing – The fight between the pair was originally set for June but due to the virus it was postponed. Pulev has posted on his social media stating the fight will go ahead at the end of July.

The post Live Sporting Calendar for July 2020 appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Horse Racing has continued in Ireland up until Tuesday where a meeting at Clonmel was held behind closed doors. In fact all meetings have been held behind closed doors since March 13th. Varadkar announced though that all sporting events will now be cancelled till April 19th at the latest even those without spectators. All sports betting shops will also be closed as of midnight on Tuesday. Speaking at the government briefing on Tuesday he said, “We believe we need to do more to flatten the curve. People should stay at home if at all possible – this is the best way to slow the virus.”

The FAI have said they still are looking at a June return for the Airtricity League. In a statement they said, “Regular meetings are ongoing with representatives from the National League Executive Committee and the Professional Footballers Association of Ireland to help our clubs and players through this difficult time.”

Golf will also be affected. The Golf Union of Ireland said all golf clubs and clubhouses should shut. The IRFU have made available 500,000 available to clubs. The Pro 14 final which was to take place in June is also postponed. In ladies football, the Lidl National Football Leagues will not be completed in 2020.

All of this news means we have to wait at least three weeks to see some sort of sport resume. Even at that it will be a push before we see some games on the T.V.

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