Sport Ireland publishes ‘A Guide for Athletes to the Sport Ireland Athlete Welfare Policy’
Sport Ireland has published ‘A Guide for Athletes to the Sport Ireland Athlete Welfare Policy’.
The revised 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 has been designed to further strengthen the culture, standards and supports within the high performance system.
Deirdre Ryan, Chair of the High Performance Committee for Sport Ireland and former Irish Olympian high jumper, said: “As a former high-performance athlete, I understand from experience what it means to compete under pressure - and how much depends on having the right support around you.
“The Sport Ireland Athlete Welfare Policy sets out clear responsibilities for coaches and sporting organisations, and establishes the standards every athlete in our system should expect. The companion Guide for Athletes makes those standards accessible and practical, it’s a resource athletes can actually use.
“We want success for Irish athletes, but it must come in the right way - with every competitor supported and protected throughout their career. That is what both documents are designed to do.”
The policy aims to ensure that athlete wellbeing remains central to the delivery of high performance sport in Ireland.
It provides a clear framework to support safe, respectful and inclusive environments, while guiding athletes, National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and support personnel on best practice in relation to athlete welfare and support.
The policy outlines the standard of experience that NGBs should strive to provide for athletes participating in high performance programmes and clarifies the roles and responsibilities of athletes, NGBs and Sport Ireland in upholding a values-led high performance system.
The policy has been developed in line with the ambitions of the Sport Ireland High Performance Strategy 2021–2032.