Sport Ireland Athlete Welfare Policy: A Guide for Athletes
The welfare of everyone involved in High Performance Sport is central to Sport Ireland’s High Performance Strategy 2021-2032. This guide explains what the Sport Ireland Athlete Welfare Policy means for you.
What is the Athlete Welfare Policy?
The Sport Ireland Athlete Welfare Policy is Sport Ireland’s commitment that every athlete in a High Performance Programme (HPP) will be treated with dignity, respect, and genuine care: it sets the standard for how athletes must be treated - and gives you the tools to do something about it if that standard is not met.
First published in 2021, the policy has been updated and strengthened to reflect where Irish high performance sport is now. This policy has been live since April 2026 and is subject to further review and updates. It sits within Sport Ireland’s wider High Performance Strategy 2021–2032, which states that “Our athletes and the people who support them are at the heart of everything we do”. Sport Ireland has established a new policy to reflect the current stage of the high performance system.
Who is it for?
The policy applies across the entire High Performance system in Ireland. That includes:
- Athletes on Sport Ireland-funded High Performance Programmes (HPPs)
- Carded athletes on the International Carding Scheme
- National Governing Bodies (NGBs) - the organisations through which sport in Ireland is organised, developed, and delivered – with HPPs.
- Coaches, Performance Directors, and support staff
- Service providers (physiotherapists, psychologists, nutritionists, etc)
- Partners including the Olympic Federation of Ireland and Paralympics Ireland
If you are a funded high-performance athlete in Ireland, this policy is there to support you.
What does it do?
The policy does five key things:
- Sets out the four principles of athlete welfare - what good looks like.
- Defines the responsibilities of every member of the high performance system.
- Gives NGBs clear guidance on how to run safe and supportive HPPs.
- Explains how disputes and complaints should be handled.
- Puts a system in place to check that everything is working as it should.
The four principles of Athlete Welfare
Everything in this policy is built on four core principles.
1 - Life affirming
Being part of high performance sport should be a positive, enriching experience. Your personal growth matters as much as your performance.
2 - Athlete centric
Your voice is heard and welcomed. You are empowered to own your journey within a system built to support you.
3 - Values-based
NGBs must operate in full alignment with their stated values - and the values of the Sport Ireland High Performance
4 - Resourced
NGBs have the funding and support needed to deliver on this policy.
How does it work?
The policy works by assigning responsibilities to every part of the high performance system.
Sport Ireland
- Funds HPPs and individual athletes through the International Carding Scheme
- Provides world-class facilities at the Sport Ireland Campus
- Runs anti-doping education and testing
- Monitors the overall health of the high performance system
Sport Ireland Institute
- Delivers expert support services to athletes through direct agreements with NGBs. These services include physiotherapy, nutrition, psychology, and performance science.
National Governing Bodies (NGBs)
Your NGB must provide:
- Expert leadership and world-class coaching
- The best possible daily training environment
- Domestic and international competition programmes
- Specific policies to protect your welfare and wellbeing
The Athlete Support Manager (ASM)
The Athlete Support Manager (ASM) provides direct support to athletes in receipt of funding from the Sport Ireland International Carding Scheme and equivalent schemes. This service is provided by the Federation of Irish Sport and is independent of your NGB.
The ASM can:
- Offer confidential advice if you have a dispute with your NGB
- Assess the merits of your situation and help find informal solutions
- Raise welfare or safeguarding concerns with your NGB on your behalf
- Support athlete representative structures within each HPP
- Assist the Performance Life Skills service
How is it applied?
The policy means your NGB is expected to meet specific requirements that include:
A Welfare Officer
Your NGB is required to have a dedicated Safeguarding and Welfare Officer. This person has direct access to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for welfare and safeguarding matters.
Regular Welfare Meetings
Performance Directors are required to hold regular meetings with welfare staff and service providers to check how all athletes are coping physically and mentally. Athletes on injury recovery plans should receive particular attention.
Your Individual Athlete Plan
Every athlete should have an Individual Athlete Plan covering a 12-month period. This includes both performance goals and personal development goals. Meaningful personal development is a performance enhancer, not an inhibitor.
Induction and annual refresh
When you join an HPP, you should receive a formal induction covering everything from the code of conduct to anti-doping rules, welfare procedures, and athlete representation. There is also an annual refresh event for all athletes.
Transparent selection
NGBs must have a clear, board-approved selection process for HPPs and national teams. This includes an independent representative on selection panels and a final right of appeal through Sport Dispute Solutions Ireland (SDSI). This is an independent specialised dispute resolution service for Irish sport offering both a mediation and arbitration facility.
Athlete Agreement
You and your NGB must both sign an Athlete Agreement that sets out what is expected from each side. This covers behaviour, training schedules, programme expectations and costs, and sponsorship. You may be expected to contribute to the HPP either financially and/or through public engagements. Any financial contribution required from you must be kept to a minimum and be clearly explained.
Athlete representation
NGBs are required to have structures that give athletes a genuine voice in how the programme is managed, including regular updates at NGB board meetings.
The difference between coaching and bullying
The policy draws a clear and important line between demanding high performance coaching - which is acceptable - and bullying, which is never acceptable.
This is coaching
- Agreed between athlete and coach
- Planned and evidence-based
- Has clear performance goals
- Ethical and fair
- Aims to win the right way
This is bullying
- Not consensual - no discussion or agreement
- No performance objectives
- Uses training as punishment
- Deliberate misuse of power
- Intends to cause harm
High pressure environments are not an excuse. The policy is explicit: the demands of a HPP do not justify unacceptable behaviour by anyone.
What happens in case of a dispute?
If you have a concern or a dispute, the policy sets out a clear process - from informal resolution right through to formal action.
STEP 1 - Talk it through informally
In most cases, issues can be resolved through open conversation. The ASM can help facilitate this by providing independent, confidential advice and guidance to help athletes resolve conflicts within their NGBs.
STEP 2 - Formal process
Serious issues - such as bullying or harassment - require a formal approach. Your NGB must have specific policies in place, including a Complaints Policy, Disciplinary Policy, Whistleblowing Policy, and Safeguarding Policy.
STEP 3 - Statutory agencies
If a concern relates to a matter for An Garda Síochána or TUSLA, your NGB should consult with the relevant body before starting its own process.
STEP 4 - Sport Ireland is informed
If a formal process is started involving a carded athlete and an NGB, Sport Ireland must be notified. The information will be retained in line with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Why is this policy important?
High performance sport is demanding and leads to exceptional levels of physical and mental challenge. It is important these pressures do not lead to, or justify, unacceptable behaviour. This policy exists to prevent that.
Welfare and performance go together
Strong athlete welfare is central to high performance. Demanding environments are expected, but they must never become harmful ones.
An athlete who feels respected, supported, and heard is more likely to perform at their best. Sport Ireland is committed to a values-based approach where people are valued, supported, and rewarded. Athletes should experience a positive system that provides holistic support based on their needs during and after their sporting career.
The policy also reflects Ireland’s growing ambition in world sport. As the high performance system develops, so must the standards of care within it.
What can funded athletes get from this policy?
- A clear code of conduct that is applied consistently and fairly
- The right to raise concerns without fear of reprisal
- A dedicated Welfare Officer at your NGB
- An Individual Athlete Plan that includes your personal development - not just sport
- Transparent selection processes with a right of appeal
- Athlete representation
- The independent Athlete Support Manager (ASM) for confidential advice
- A proper induction when you join, and an annual refresh of your rights and supports
- A high-performance environment that gives you the opportunity to thrive
- Access to the Sport Ireland Athlete Career Transition (ACT) Programme when you retire
- Access to the Athlete Friendly Employer (AFE) Network
- An environment that promotes diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity
Life after Sport: The Transition Programme
The policy recognises that your identity and future matter beyond your sporting career. Every athlete should have a plan for life after sport. This begins from the moment you join an HPP, not the moment you retire.
The Sport Ireland Athlete Career Transition (ACT) Programme
For 12 months after leaving the International Carding Scheme, eligible athletes can access:
• Significant financial support
• Career guidance and development services
• Personal development support
To qualify, athletes must have engaged with the Performance Life Skills team at the Sport Ireland Institute before leaving the Carding Scheme.
The Athlete Friendly Employer Network Programme
The Athlete Friendly Employer (AFE) Network aims to connect athletes with potential employers with a view to securing professional work opportunities either after their sporting career or as part of a dual career.
How is the Athlete Welfare Policy monitored?
Sport Ireland holds NGBs accountable through a formal system of assurance.
Annual assurance return
Every NGB running a Sport Ireland-funded HPP must submit an annual assurance return confirming that all required welfare structures are in place - from the Welfare Officer to athlete representation to induction events.
Culture Evaluations
At least once every Olympic and Paralympic cycle, every Sport Ireland-funded HPP will undergo a full culture evaluation. This involves surveys, interviews, and on-site visits. Contributors’ anonymity is protected. NGBs receive formal feedback, which is shared with all HPP members, and are expected to develop culture improvement plans.
Why Culture Evaluation matters
The Culture Evaluation programme assesses how a programme is actually operating. It will support NGBs as they seek to support and maximise the experience of athletes, coaches, and support staff.
Key contacts and resources
Sport Ireland High Performance Unit
highperformanceunit@sportireland.ie
Athlete Support Manager (ASM)
Via the Federation of Irish Sport at www.irishsport.ie / https://www.irishsport.ie/staff-rachael-mulligan/
Sport Dispute Solutions Ireland (SDSI)
Sport Ireland Institute
Athlete Friendly Employer (AFE) Network
Athlete Career Transition (ACT) Programme
Athletes should contact their individual Lifeskills provider in the Institute. If none is apparent, contact erheinisch@instituteofsport.ie