Paralympics Ireland and the Sport
Ireland Institute have today confirmed a new partnership that sees the Sport
Ireland Institute appointed as the Official Performance Support Partner to Team
Ireland. Paris 2024 Paralympic Games hopefuls will benefit from the world class
facilities and expertise of the Sport Ireland Institute as a result of the new
partnership.
Irish Paralympians will be able to
avail of an enhanced level of support through the Sport Ireland Institute
throughout their qualification and preparation for the Paris 2024 Paralympic
Games.
This partnership has been established
following 12 months of consultation between Paralympics Ireland and the Sport
Ireland Institute, and referencing the Tokyo 2020 Review, to agree the best
pathway forward to continue the success of Team Ireland at the Paralympic
Games.
The agreement also introduces a
Paralympic Leadership Group that will include senior representatives from
Paralympics Ireland and Sport Ireland. The group will provide concerted expertise,
advice and support for Para-athletes as they progress towards the Paralympic
games.
Additionally, Antonia Rossiter
(Performance Physiologist), from the Sport Ireland Institute, recently
appointed as Deputy Chef de Mission for Performance Support, will lead a newly
established Paralympics Ireland Sport Science and Medicine Working Group.
The partnership which is called,
‘Paralympic Partnerships, to Paris and Beyond’ will provide Paralympics Ireland
with Institute services including:
Strategic high performance leadership
support and delivery of a sport science and medicine support system, inclusive
of athlete life skills support.
Preparation and delivery of specific
athlete support and programme enhancement initiatives to all Team Ireland
Paralympic Teams.
Enhanced sport science support to
Paralympics Ireland’s Para-Athletics and Para-Swimming programmes.
Establish, coordinate and support the
Paralympics Ireland Sports Science & Medicine Working Group
Further to signing the partnership
agreement, the following key appointments have been confirmed:
Paralympic Leadership Group
Ruth NicAoidh, Interim CEO,
Paralympics Ireland
Neasa Russell, Chef de Mission,
Paralympics Ireland
Richard Doyle, Performance Operations
Manager, Paralympics Ireland
Liam Harbison, Director, Sport
Ireland Institute
Niamh O’Sullivan, Director of High
Performance, Sport Ireland
Antonia Rossiter, Deputy Chef de
Mission for Performance Support, Sport Ireland Institute
Paralympic Sport Science &
Medicine Working Group:
Antonia Rossiter, Dep. Chef de
Mission for Performance Support
Neasa Russell, Chef de Mission
Dr. Martin McConaghy, Chief Medical
Officer
Dr. Ciara Sinnott O’Connor, Head of
Science
Dr. Ciara Losty, Head of Psychology
Mark Cornish, Head of
Physiotherapy/Rehab
Heads of Performance Support:
Dr. Eamonn Flanagan – Para Athletics
Dr. Ciara Sinnott O’Connor – Para
Swimming
Paul Carragher – Para Cycling
Paralympic Performance Support Leads:
Dr. Emma Saunders – Athlete
Lifeskills
David Tobin – Performance Nutrition
Noel Murphy – Strength &
Conditioning
Alan Swanton – Performance Analysis
Quote from Eimear Breathnach,
President of Paralympics Ireland:
“Paralympics Ireland is pleased to
announce this new partnership with the Sport Ireland Institute that ensures
that our Paralympians and future Paralympians will enjoy the world class
support available from the Sport Ireland Institute. This partnership is the
result of over a year of discussions between both organisations, the hallmark
of which was the shared ambitions by all concerned for Para athletes to receive
all the support necessary to compete against the best in the world.
I would like to thank the Paralympics
Ireland Chef de Mission, Neasa Russell, and Liam Harbison, Director of the
Sport Ireland Institute, for the work they have done to make this agreement
possible. I look forward to working closely with the Sport Ireland Institute as
our teams combine to create a cohesive and united Team Ireland support unit.”
Quote from Dr. Úna May, Chief
Executive Officer, Sport Ireland:
“Sport Ireland has supported the
development of Irish para sport since the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games and have
been a key partner in the advancement of para athlete performance since with a
range of supports to Para athletes, Paralympics Ireland and the NGBs. I am pleased to see the Sport Ireland
Institute being appointed as the Official Performance Support Partner to Team
Ireland, further enhancing our support to Paralympics Ireland for the Paris
2024 Games. With the expertise and
experience of the Paralympics Ireland staff and the Institute service provider
team collaborating on a more integrated basis, there is great potential to
impact athlete performance in qualifying and competing for Paris 2024. I wish all involved – athletes, coaches, service
providers, staff – the very best wishes for the journey ahead.”
Quote from Liam Harbison, Director,
Sport Ireland Institute:
“As performance standards in
Paralympic sport continue to soar with every passing Paralympic Games, it is
vital we take every opportunity to support Irish Para athletes in their quest
to qualify and compete at the Paris Games.
I am delighted that Paralympics Ireland have taken this significant step
to partner with the Sport Ireland Institute to provide integrated support for
the duration of the cycle. In doing so a
greater level of support will be provided by a range of key personnel to Para
athletes across the range of sport science and life skills services at the
Institute.
I would like to congratulate the
range of appointees to Team Ireland from within the Institute Team and look
forward to supporting them and the rest of Team Ireland over the next two years
in the build up to Paris 2024. “
Quote from Neasa Russell, Chef de Mission,
Paralympics Ireland
“This is an important announcement
for the athletes that will comprise Team Ireland at the Paris 2024 Games. We
have always competed strongly and successfully against the best that the world
has to offer and I am confident that, with the support of the Sport Ireland
Institute, that we can continue to do so to Paris and Beyond. We will now work
with the Paralympic Leadership Group and the Paralympics Ireland Sport Science
and Medicine Group to help bring this partnership to life and ensure that the
benefits are accrued by our athletes over the next two years.”
Note to Picture Editors: Imagery is
available FOC via Sportsfile
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