Sport in Ireland ES RI Report: The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), in a detailed report released yesterday, concludes the main social aspects of sport in Ireland have a combined economic value of €1.4 billion, or, 1.26 per cent of Gross National Product (GNP).
The 78-page publication called The Social and Economic Value of Sport in Ireland, reveals findings which indicate that what might be seen as Ireland's occasionally inflated sense of the importance of sport, is actually not that exaggerated at all. The findings indicate sport is not just that which happens on the field of play but has much broader and more profound effects on Irish society.
With some 400,000 adults, or, 15 per cent of the population volunteering for sport in some way throughout the year and 20 per cent of the population playing sport on a regular basis, the survey concludes for every four adults in the country who play, three others volunteer, representing a significant level of activity. Those figures show sport in Ireland generates enormous social benefits that must be recognised in the levels and patterns of subsequent investment.
Given the high numbers of people involved in a multitude of physical activities, be it coaching, playing, supporting or administrating, the economic value is correspondingly large. Volunteers provide an annual labour input which, if valued at the minimum hourly wage of €7 euro an hour, would give an economic value of €267 million a year for sports volunteering alone.
Additionally the subscriptions taken by clubs around the country come to about €200 million each year, while the attendance at sports events generates about €525 million worth of economic activity. This figure includes the purchase of tickets and the cost of attending matches including transport and food.
Another factor, the cost of participating in sporting activity, which involves the purchase of equipment and clothes, amounts to €413 million annually.
The figures do fall with into the norms for such surveys. According to one of the authors of the report, the ESRI's Tony Fahey, "The figures are broadly one per cent to two per cent of GNP and would be the usual range," he said. "The main concern of the survey was to highlight sport's social activity as well as its physical activity. This is the aspect of sport that has not gotten much attention and as far as I'm aware this is the first study which has taken this approach."
It comes as no surprise the penetration of the GAA into Irish life far exceeds that of any other organisation. As the dominant administrative body on the island, the GAA accounts for over 40 per cent of those people who volunteer for sport. This compares with 17 per cent for soccer, which is the second largest sport for which people volunteer.
In fact the report singles out the GAA for its unique contribution and calls it one of the "great generators of social capital in Ireland". With its traditionally large share of volunteering, memberships of clubs, attendance at events and popularity throughout the country, the GAA is seen as a model of what the voluntary, community-based sports organisation can contribute to society.
"The Irish Sports Council believes passionately in the intrinsic value of sport to individuals and communities. Our research programme is clearly demonstrating that sport has enormous value beyond that with substantial economic, social and health benefits to the wider population," said Ossie Kilkenny, chairperson of the Irish Sports Council. "We will make the case for investment to reflect that importance and work with sport to maximise its potential benefit to the country."
The study was based on a national sample of over 3,000 adults interviewed in 2003 and was carried out in an effort to understand the shape and dynamics of sport in Ireland. A report of adult participation has already been published in 2004 and a report on children's participation in sport will be published later this month.
"The report also confirms that volunteerism is the foundation of Irish sport," said Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mr John O'Donoghue. "I think that we should dwell on this for a moment. Isn't it extraordinary that 400,000 or 15 per cent of the population should offer their services in a voluntary way to sport. Given the genuine concerns expressed in many quarters about the nature of the modern 'Tiger' Ireland, this statistic offers hope and assurance about the nature of our country."
The key recommendation says future policy should respect and support the social aspects of sport and take into account community involvement and the general contribution to the effective functioning of society. The challenge is therefore not just to keep those people who are already volunteering but to increase numbers in sports, which in recent years have, anecdotally, found it increasingly more difficult to attract volunteers.
Value of sports volunteering: €267million a year
Subscriptions to sports clubs: €200 million a year
Revenue generated by attendance at events: €525 million a year
Cost of playing sport: €413 million a year
Combined economic value of sport: €1.4 billion
400,000 adults volunteer for sport
20 per cent of adult population play sport regularly
The GAA account for 40 per cent of volunteers
Soccer accounts for 17 per cent of volunteers
Sports tourism is valued at 350 million
