Some of the leading figures in sports administration were in Mullingar during the last weekend in June to address councillors on the ‘Potential for Sport in Modern Ireland’.  This was the Confederation’s firsts major seminar of 2005, and the two-day event provided an opportunity for local representatives from both jurisdictions to hear and discuss issues relating to the impact of sport and recreation on society North and South, its role in reconciliation as well as education and health, and views on sport within a all-Ireland context.

The Mullingar Park Hotel hosted the sessions which were viewed enthusiastically councillors present.  The opening of the event included Mr John O’Donoghoe, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism who noted that in “a similar way to sport, your Confederation brings together representatives from both sides of our island as a means of fostering respect and cooperation”.  The Minister added that “in line with this, both the Irish Sports Council and the Sports Council of Northern Ireland meet on a regular basis to develop all-island sport and to also discuss areas of mutual interest.  The audience were welcomed to Mullingar by outgoing Chairman of Westmeath County Council, Cllr Frank McDermott who was performing one of last duties in the role, as well as the Mr Bertie Montgomery, Chairman of the Confederation who stated that “sport is something that can bring people together, though it can also have the capacity to divide.  It is of real value when we come together to address this and to explore where we as public representatives can play a role”.

The Mullingar Park Hotel in Co. Westmeath, which played host to the CEC’s summer seminar

The event proceeded with a session on the ‘Impact of Sport on Society, North and South’, focussing on issues of sport relating to gender, disability, ethnic communities and minorities.  Dr Deirdre Brennan tackled the issues relating to gender and young women highlighting the fact that “participation in sport & physical activity has improved for girls and women but this is largely due to the promotion of ‘cosmetic fitness’ and the desire to sculpt the body to a stereotypical form”, but indicated good examples of efforts to ‘doing something’ to improve the impact of sport in the lives of girls, such as the Armagh Women’s Sports Network which was set up by Armagh City & District Council to give women a voice in the development of sport for girls and women.  Mr Frank Buckley outlined the role and projects of Sport Against Racism Ireland of which he is a founder, while Special Olympics Ireland CEO Mary Davis voiced her view that the impact of the Special Olympics in 2003 showed how it was “another great example of an organisation working together so that children and adults with a learning disability can benefit and experience the joy of participating in sport across the island.”

The second sitting of 23^rd June presented Mr Shaun Ogle of the NI Sports Council and former Irish rugby star and present Chairman of the One Small Step Campaign Trevor Ringland addressing the role of sport in reconciliation.  Dr Ogle noted that “while building social capital as a means of reconciliation through sport is definitely a positive contribution to a more equitable and less defensive cultural and social environment, the overall level of reconciliation will be dependent on broader issues including the political will to achieve reconciliation – implementation of devolved government in NI”.  Trevor Ringland engaged the attendees with his experiences as a former international on an all-Ireland rugby team and addresses a number of areas and issues relating to problems and opportunities in developing reconciliation through sport.

In his keynote speech at the seminar dinner, former Olympic silver medallist and present Chief Executive of the Irish Sports Council recalled his emergence onto the international scene at the highest level with victory in consecutive World Cross Country Championships and the road towards the success in Los Angeles twenty one years ago.  He was keen to emphasise the importance of a collaborated approach by a number of agencies, including local government in addressing any needs that exist in relation to sport, leisure and recreation and highlighted the growing concern over issues such as obesity.

Pictured at the seminar dinner were Mr Bertie Montgomery, former chairman of CEC;
Mr John Treacy, Chief Executive of the Irish Sports Council and Senator Camillus Glynn.

The opening session on the second day of the seminar focused on sport within education and health, and Dr Niall Moyna offered delegates a unique insight into the physiological impact on people and society as a result of inadequate diets and lack of exercise and activity.  He was followed by Dr David Hassan of the University of Ulster who addressed the link between sport and education and how “a differential sport affiliation is rooted in Northern Ireland’s divided education system, which in turn supports a divided games curriculum”.  Dr Hassan added that the medium of physical education offers a golden opportunity to educate children about other traditions and beliefs, and that “by promoting and playing sports that may not necessarily be seen as appropriate for children from a particular tradition, certain schools are adopting a most commendable stance”.

Donal McAnallen concluded the line-up in the penultimate session by combining a paper on the historical backdrop of education and sport in Ireland as well as some observations on developments that are required in relation to health issues among young sports people.

Dr Niall Moyna addresses delegates at the CEC seminar in Mullingar.

The final sitting of the event brought speakers from the fields of football, GAA and rugby to tackle the issues relating to sport in an all-Ireland context.  Mr Jim Glennon TD, a former provincial and international rugby player and coach relayed some observations on the role of the Irish rugby scene in attracting support from all sectors.  The chief executives of the Football Association of Ireland and the Irish Football Association both addressed the audience on developments that have taken place in building cross-border and cross community links.  Finally, former Derry Gaelic Football midfielder Jim McKeever spoke on the import role of the GAA as a community organisation, while recognising the fact that membership can lead to a sense of separation from the rest of society in Northern Ireland.  He did point to what it has learned from other sporting bodies while acknowledging that the GAA’s role in reconciliation in the North is as yet largely unrealised.

CEC Partnership Manager John Devaney looked back on the seminar as one of particular interest to many councillors who travelled to the event.  He added that “many sports-related seminars focus on coaching, funding etc, but this particular seminar is a unique event in that we are touching on key areas in a North-South relationship and the impact of sport on society and its role in reconciliation.  Perhaps we will identify areas that would warrant further examination through the Confederation or other bodies.  Perhaps we could also identify areas where local authorities could play a bigger role or enhance investment”.