More people getting out but funding fears remain

SPORTS PARTICIPATION SURVEY:ON THE day the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) issued a positive report regarding increased sports participation here, Irish Sports Council chairman John Treacy warned that if the Government does not continue to sustain the investment in sport at similar levels then jobs will be lost in national governing bodies.

“If there are further cuts to the governing bodies of sport you’d be looking at leaving people go. LSPs (local sports partnerships) as well,” said Tracey.

“I think we’ve done reasonably well. Where we are now . . . if we incur further reductions we will be into dismantling, so we just need to make sure we are not into dismantling.”

The issue of cuts arose, not just because of the economic environment, but following a symposium on the Olympic Games last Tuesday in Dublin during which fears were expressed about the future of funding post-London.

Delegates, including journalists, business people, sponsors and athletes, expressed the view that, following the shop window of the London Games, funding would be slashed.

That fear was at odds with the mountains of evidence presented yesterday which showed how sport and activity actually saved money in the long run.

“What we’d do is fight the best case that we can to keep sport at the level it is at,” added Tracey. “There is a long way to go. For a minimum investment we get a very, very good return.

“Research carried out in Canada said that one euro spent in sport saves three euro in health. That’s basically what I’m trying to say. People who are physically healthy, there is a saving there. That’s why we have to continue to invest.”

In Ireland there are 60 sports organisations and 32 local agencies. Over the last three years the amount of funding going into the ISC fell 15 per cent, with last year’s allocation dropping to €46 million.

It was put to the chairman that, given the fall in funding to sport over the last three years, is it reasonable to conclude that the Government does not comprehend the main message of yesterday’s survey of 27,000 people?

“I think the Government does understand it,” said Treacy. “It takes a sustained investment over a long period of time to produce athletes. The bottom line here is this: you don’t want to be going into Aviva stadium, or anywhere for that matter, and not be able to perform against the best in the world. But we have been able to perform and it takes a sustained investment to do that.

“We had €46 million last year. I think in the ‘big picture stuff’ it’s money extremely well spent. Certainly we are in the position where we would be looking at cuts. Certainly we are trying to minimise any cuts. We’ve had a 15 per cent reduction over the last three years. Sport has continued to deliver.”

Few disputed Tracey’s logic and the survey backed him up. Participation rates in sport increased from 30.8 per cent in 2008 to 33.5 per cent in 2009. Over the three years, however, a concern was that the levels of volunteers had dropped, with no clear reasons why that should be so. Voluntary activity fell from 8.2 per cent in 2007 to 7.8 per cent in 2008 to 6.8 per cent in 2009.

There is also no doubt the recession, which hit at the end of 2008 and beginning of 2009, has affected sport. In short, wealthy people are more likely to participate than lower income groups, and over the three years of the survey that relationship has strengthened.

“The link between income and participation is reinforced by the findings of this report,” said Dr Pete Lunn, an ESRI economist and the report’s author. “There is no doubt that recession affected sport. Policy-makers should note that cost and a lack of free time remain significant barriers to participation in sport.”

The survey was conducted between 2007 and 2009 among people aged 16 and over. As much as it showed improvement in activity, the survey also showed that 23 per cent of adults in Ireland were effectively sedentary.

Overall, swimming remained the most popular activity (7.2 per cent), ahead of personal exercise (5.8 per cent) and soccer (5.5 per cent). Among men soccer (10.7 per cent) and golf (8.1 per cent) were the most popular activities, while women were more likely to swim (8.5 per cent) or take personal exercise (7.1 per cent).

Women were also found to be less likely to play sport than men, with the gap narrowing with age.

“In some departments sport is not important,” said Minister of State for Sport Michael Ring. “To me it is very important to hold the funding we have had over the last number of years.”

The minister also had a word for sports organisations and membership clubs.

“Give people an opportunity,” he said. “Reduce your prices and give them a chance.”

ESRI SURVEY: KEY FINDINGS

* Swimming (7.2%), soccer (6.5%) and golf (6.2%) are the most popular activities.

* 23% of adults are sedentary.

* Volunteering fell from 8.2% in 2007 to 6.8% in 2009

* 45.7% regularly walk.

* 11.2% regularly cycle.

* Participation rates rose from 30.8% in 2008 to 33.5% in 2009.

* Wealthy people participate more often.