Pictured above: Jimmy Gradwell, President Paralympics Ireland (left), Craig Carscadden, Treasurer, EPC (right).

The European Paralympic Committee, based in Vienna, today confirmed that Paralympics Ireland have been awarded the hosting of the 2013 European Paralympic Committee General Assembly and Conference to be held in Dublin on the 4th and 5th of October. This biennial event will be attended by delegates from over 40 countries in Europe and is one of the principle Paralympic gatherings worldwide this year. With elections to the Executive Board due to take place, this year’s event has added interest.

Minister Ring welcomes EPC members to the Gathering

Paralympics Ireland pitched the bid as their contribution to the Gathering 2013. Welcoming the announcement, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport, Mr. Michael Ring T.D. stated:

“As Minister for Tourism and Sport I am delighted that the 2013 European Paralympic Committee General Assembly & Conference will be held in Dublin in October”.

“It will be a great honour for Paralympics Ireland and indeed for Irish Sport as a whole to host such a prestigious event and I would like to congratulate Paralympics Ireland on bringing the 2013 European Paralympic Committee General Assembly & Conference to Ireland”.

“I am confident that delegates attending this event will be pleased with the quality of infrastructure and services available here in Ireland. I wish all participants a very successful General Assembly and Conference.”

EPC President Petersson seek unified regional approach

President of the European Paralympic Committee, Mr. John Petersson from Denmark commented:

“The members of the European Paralympic Committee are looking forward to gathering in Dublin for this important EPC General Assembly and Conference. The election of the Executive Board at the General Assembly is sure to be of interest to all members as is the conference programme currently being finalised. With the close proximity to the IPC General Assembly in November, the Dublin gathering provides a very timely opportunity for the European members to discuss key issues affecting the movement and bring a unified regional approach to Athens in November. Finally, I’d like to express our thanks to Paralympics Ireland for hosting the event. The plans for the event put in place by Paralympics Ireland are of the highest quality and will guarantee a very enjoyable few days in Dublin for all delegates.”

Gradwell welcomes continued momentum from London 2012

In a new venture for Paralympics Ireland, President James Gradwell highlighted the growth of the host organisation:

“Our organisation has grown hugely over the last few years culminating in an incredible London 2012 Paralympics Games for Paralympics Ireland. We are delighted to be hosting our European colleagues in Dublin so soon after London and look forward to producing the best ever EPC GA and Conference. I’d particularly like to thank our CEO Liam Harbison on being the driving force in bringing this event to Ireland and the great assistance received from EPC Treasurer Craig Carscadden.”

Members adopt major governance changes

“Our 49 strong London Paralympians are an absolute credit, not only to us in Paralympics Ireland and their national governing bodies of sport, but also to their home villages, towns, counties and to the country as a whole.”

“16 medals – 8 gold, 3 silver and 5 bronze, 19th on the final medals table and 4th on the medals per capita table added with world and Paralympic records and host of personal best performances – a truly incredible performance with the final tally far exceeding expectations.”

He added:

“We had a fantastic team behind our athletes in our coaches, managers, support staff and sport science and medical team who all worked extremely hard supporting our athletes. A huge thanks must go to all of them.”

New members join the Irish Paralympic Family

The members of the organisation voted to formally accept three new members to the Irish Paralympic Family. Canoeing Ireland and Triathlon Ireland are quickly developing their para programmes and are intent on being represented as their sports make their Paralympic debut at the Rio 2016 Games.

Speaking after their formal appointment, Karl Dunne, CEO of Canoeing Ireland stated:

“Canoeing Ireland are delighted to formally join the highly successful Irish Paralympic movement and we are very much looking forward to joining the rest of the sports on the plane to the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.”

The sport of Powerlifting, represented at London 2012 by Kerry’s Roy Guerin, formally joined the organisation under the governance of founding member Irish Wheelchair Association Sport.

Major changes for a new era

A new era for Paralympics Ireland was cemented with the adoption of new Memorandum & Articles of Association by the members last night. The new changes see significant alterations to the composition, structure and powers of the Board of the Directors, the dissolution of the traditional 24 member Council and the creation of an enlarged Members Forum with the key purpose of consulting with members on all aspects of the growth and development of Irish Paralympic Sport.

The new structure comes into force on May 1st and will be followed with elections for a four year term of President, two Vice-Presidents and a Finance Officer from amongst the members at an EGM on June 19. In a new direction for the organisation, three external members at large will be added to the Board of Directors later in the Summer. The final Board positions will consist of the elected Chairperson of the Athletes Commission and the Honorary Life Board Member, Anne Ebbs.

Commenting on the significant changes, CEO Liam Harbison stated:

“The year post Games provides us the opportunity to review all our structures and processes. The organisation has grown hugely over the last four years and the Board felt the changes adopted where necessary to ensure we remain ‘fit for purpose’ going forward to Rio 2016 and beyond.”

Position Title: Office Administrator

Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer

Contract Type: Full-time (37.5 hours per week)

Location: Irish Sports HQ, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15.

Full details are available by downloaing this PDF – Click here to download

Click here to download the event poster

Following the success of the Irish Team at the London Paralympic Games securing 16 medals, the Minister for Tourism & Sport, Mr. Michael Ring TD today announced an investment of €910,000 to Paralympics Ireland for 2013 marking a significant stepping stone for the Paralympic movement in Ireland on the road to Rio 2016. The announcement was part of a package of support to Irish High Performance sport of €8.6 million which also included direct financial support to 25 Paralympic athletes totalling €604,000 under the Irish Sports Council’s International Carding scheme.

When 2012 investment in specific Games costs are excluded, the investment package represents a 10% year on year increase for Paralympics Ireland and bucks the traditional 30-40% cut in year 1 of the Paralympic games cycle experienced after previous Games.

Investment welcomed

Welcoming the investment for 2013, Liam Harbison, CEO of Paralympics Ireland said:

“The response of the Government and the Irish Sports Council to the great success of London 2012 with this investment package is very significant for Paralympics Ireland and sets us on a sound path to further sustained progress on the road to Rio 2016. I’d like to thank the Department and the ISC for responding to our request for improved resource to allow us to sustain the huge progress made in securing 16 medals in London and ensuring we remain ‘fit for purpose’ as an organisation to deliver top class services to Paralympic athletes.”

Rio performance plan set for implementation

Commenting on the investment in the performance programme, Nancy Chillingworth, Paralympic Performance Director said:

“The four year performance plan for Rio can now be implemented in full with increased support to sports, sports science and medical provision and improved levels of professional technical expertise to assist athletes. The plan sets us on a path to sustained success at Rio 2016 commencing with major Championships in each sport over the coming 6 months with athletes already targeting qualification slots for the Games. Continued investment growth throughout the next 4 years is essential for Paralympic sport to continue the huge strides made in London.”

Preparations for Rio 2016 have begun in earnest with the first inspection visit completed this month. Paralympics Ireland are due to publish the London 2012 Debrief Report in the coming week.

Support provided by the Irish Sports Council to Paralympic Sport in 2013

“We’re delighted that the outstanding achievements of the Irish Paralympic Team in London have been recognised by the Public in this way. The success of the athletes coupled with extensive games coverage has catapulted Paralympic sport into a new reality and greater opportunities.  We intend to capitalise on this great legacy from London 2012.”