FAQs

I'm an individual athlete. Can Sport Ireland provide me with funding or sponsorship?

If you are seeking support for competition, travel or athlete development, you should contact the relevant National Governing Body (NGB) for your sport in the first instance.

High Performance funding is allocated through Sport Ireland recognised NGBs and, in line with Sport Ireland's High Performance Strategy, through the International Carding Scheme, which supports athletes competing in Olympic and Paralympic sports.

In addition to contacting the relevant NGB,  you may also wish to contact your Local Sports Partnership (LSP) to explore any supports or funding opportunities that may be available in your local area.  

Our sports club is looking for funding. What supports are available?

Sport Ireland does not provide funding directly to individual clubs.

Support is provided through Sport Ireland recognised National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs).

We recommend contacting:

• Your National Governing Body  
• Your Local Sports Partnership  

They can advise on any current funding opportunities, club development supports and equipment schemes. 

We are looking for funding for a sports facility, clubhouse or pitch.

Sport Ireland does not administer capital funding schemes.

Capital projects such as clubhouses, sports halls, swimming pools, playgrounds and pitches are generally funded through the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport and local authorities. Further information can be found here

You can also contact:

• Department of Culture, Communications and Sport  
• Your Local Authority

How do I get my sport recognised by Sport Ireland?

Sport Ireland recognises National Governing Bodies (NGBs), not individual clubs.

Sport Ireland Recognition is the mechanism through which organisations may become eligible to receive support from Sport Ireland and apply for Government funding. In addition, Sport Ireland recognition is not required for a sport to operate in Ireland.

The Sport Ireland recognition criteria are available here:

NGB Recognition Process

Before applying, organisations should review all criteria carefully.

If you have a specific query on the Sport Ireland NGB Recognition Process, please direct your query to recognition@sportireland.ie

Does Sport Ireland recognise my sport or governing body?

Sport Ireland maintains a list of recognised National Governing Bodies on our website.

If your organisation is not listed, it is not currently recognised by Sport Ireland.

Recognition is not required to operate in Ireland. 

There isn't a recognised governing body for my sport. Can Sport Ireland help?

Many sports operate in Ireland without Sport Ireland recognition.

Where an organisation already exists for your sport, we recommend engaging with them in the first instance.

If no recognised governing body exists and an organisation wishes to pursue recognition, it should review the Sport Ireland Recognition Criteria in the first instance.  

I have a complaint about my club or National Governing Body. 

Sport Ireland does not have a statutory regulatory, or enforcement function in relation to the day-to-day operations of recognised National Govering Bodies (NGBs). In particular, Sport Ireland has no authority to review, overturn, direct, or otherwise intervene in individual membership decisions or internal governance matters arising within an NGB.

NGBs are independent organisations that operate separately from Sport Ireland.

As such, the NGB is responsible for the governance of the sport, including disciplinary matters, complaints handling, and appeals processes. Sport Ireland does not have a role in adjudicating or overturning individual club or NGB decisions.

Complaints should first be dealt with through the relevant club or NGB's internal complaints procedures.

If you have exhausted all internal procedures and remain dissatisfied, independent mediation may be available through a third  party, such as Sport Dispute Solutions Ireland (SDSI). 

I have concerns about safeguarding in my sport.

Safeguarding concerns should be raised through your club or National Governing Body's safeguarding procedures in the first instance.

If you believe a child is at immediate risk of harm, contact:

• An Garda Síochána  
• Tusla – Child and Family Agency  

Sport Ireland develops safeguarding policies and guidance for sport but does not investigate individual safeguarding cases.

For further information and guidance on Safeguarding, please visit our Safeguarding FAQ page.

I have a question about governance, constitutions or policies.

Questions relating to the operation of an individual club or National Governing Body of Sport should first be directed to that organisation.

Governance responsibilities sit with each National Governing Body and its affiliated clubs.

Sport Ireland provides governance guidance through the Code of Governance for Sport and other governance resources. 

Our organisation delivers physical activity but isn't affiliated to a governing body. Can Sport Ireland support us?

Sport Ireland investment is directed through recognised National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships.  

Depending on your activity, your Local Sports Partnership may be able to advise on participation initiatives or community programmes in your local area.

If your activity falls within an existing sport, you should also engage with the relevant National Governing Body.