• 1.9 million deaths globally each year are attributable to physical inactivity
• Reduces risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and osteoporosis
• UK research has found that physical inactivity costs them up to 11% of the Health Budget
Think of the role sport could and should play in the health of our nation.
• Estimated that sport contributes at least a 12 fold return on State investment
• Sport contributes approximately 1.7% of Ireland’s GDP
• 1,500 jobs created by the National Governing Bodies of Sport and Local Sports Partnerships
Without the contribution made by sport we would have to borrow even more money.
• 15% of adults volunteered in sport in the last 12 months which is the equivalent of 400,000 adults
• 32% of the adult population are members of at least one sports club
• 59% of players socialise regularly with fellow participants as do 53% of volunteers
• Sport is at the heart of our sense of community
It will help sustain us in the difficult times ahead.
• 46% of the population have attended at least one event in the last year
• 808,000 people watched the 2009 All Ireland Football Final on RTE with 771,000 watching the Hurling Final
• Over 40 million overseas viewers watched Ireland in the Six Nations 2009
Sport is an investment in the worldwide Irish community. It helps enrich our Irishness.
• 420,000 people visited the Race Village during the Galway Stopover over a two week period
• 62.8 million TV viewers globally watched Rally Ireland in 2007
• The 2009 Tour of Ireland cycle race was broadcast to a global audience of 20 million by 220 broadcasters in 180 countries
Think of the number of indirect jobs sustained by those both participating in sport and attending sporting events.
• Sport is a consistent bright spot in a difficult year
• Imagine 2009 without:
– GAA’s 125 years celebrations
– Grand Slam Success
– Bernard Dunne
– Leinster and the Heineken Cup
– Shane Lowry and the 3 Irish Open
– The Irish Lions
– Olive Loughnane, Derval O’Rourke and David Gillick at the World Athletics Championships
– Katie Taylor and another European Boxing Championship
– John Joe Nevin and World Bronze Medal
– Kilkenny’s 4th Hurling Championship in a row
Think of a world without Irish sporting success.
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