Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) may, at its discretion and depending on the availability of resources, provide support to groups, associations, clubs or other appropriate bodies to assist with Events which meet the aims of the IFI Sponsorship Programme.

For the 2014 programme angling clubs may only apply through their national Angling Federation (IFPAC, ACI, IADA, IFSA etc.)

For the purposes of the support material and sponsorship application form, Event is used to describe any appropriate inland fisheries, recreational angling, education and awareness or other appropriate event, competition, item,  etc.

Angling Federations are invited to make a combined application (including national and local events) for support on a prioritised basis.

Aims of the IFI Sponsorship Programme

The IFI Sponsorship Programme aims to increase awareness of IFI, its work, recreational angling and the inland fisheries resource. IFI may support events on the basis of:

  • Location and nature of the Event;
  • Potential of the Event to introduce new users to angling in an active capacity, i.e. not just as spectators;
  • Educate/Inform stakeholders of angling/environmental/commercial salmon fisheries/habitat issues;
  • Development of non-established Events;
  • International Junior Teams/Individuals;
  • An even distribution of sponsorship across all angling disciplines and all River Basin Districts;
  • Events that promote equal opportunities.

Children and Vulnerable Adults

Event organisers should follow the guidance in relation to dealing with children and vulnerable adults provided by the Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2011(issued by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs) and the IFI Child Protection Policy.

Forms of Support Available

Staff, equipment loan and location supports are subject to availability. Minimal funding is available in 2014 for club event support; however, funding for the delivery of IFI’s remit through Service Level Agreements with Angling Federations is possible.

Funding is available for large scale international events that would not be feasible without some support.

 

IFI will not support:

  • The provision of hospitality, where the hospitality is the central or core aspect to the support sought from IFI;
  • Events where the primary function of the Event is fund-raising;
  • Prize money.

How to apply

Due to the reduction in resources available to IFI to support and administer the Sponsorship Programme, applications will be accepted as follows:

From applicants other than angling clubs and angling federations

Download the Application Form and the  Event Approval Form. Once you have the forms, you will need to:

  1. Read the terms and conditions as outlined below.
  2. Complete the application and Event Approval forms.
  1. Ensure your event approval form is approved by the appropriate RBD Directors/Head of Function
  2. Check you have included all the documentation required
  3. Send your completed application to:
    Bridie Fleming, IFI, Swords Business Campus, Balheary Road, Swords, Co. Dublin. (For applications submitted after 14th April 2014 please send your completed application to Bridie Fleming, Inland Fisheries Ireland, 3044 Lake Drive, Citywest Business Campus, Citywest, Co. Dublin).

From angling federations

Download the Federation Combined Applicaton Form and the  Event Approval Form. Once you have the forms, you will need to:

  • Request your affiliated angling clubs to complete the application form and event approval form as in 1 to 4 above and return to you.
  • Combine these and the Federations own application and event approval forms in tabulated form (as per example attached) in order of prioritisation (placing those events you consider most important at the top).
  • Check you have included all of the documentation required
  • Send your completed application to:
    Bridie Fleming, IFI, Swords Business Campus, Balheary Road, Swords, Co. Dublin. (For applications submitted after 14th April 2014 please send your completed application to Bridie Fleming, Inland Fisheries Ireland, 3044 Lake Drive, Citywest Business Campus, Citywest, Co. Dublin).

Notice and Register of International Competitions and Events

Organisers are invited to register and/or apply for support for any upcoming events (2014 onwards) from IFI. The register will be used for planning and marketing purposes. 2014 Events should also be notified through the support application process where support is required.

Download the Event Registration 2014 here.

Sponsorship Application Form

The Application Form is designed to ensure that IFI has the necessary information to evaluate the application. Please include any additional details on a separate sheet.

Submission Deadline

All applicants must complete the Sponsorship Application form and Event Approval Form and submit them to the IFI Business Development Section before the Round 1 closing date of 14 March 2014 or Round 2 Closing date of 31 May 2014. Applications will not be assessed until AFTER the submission closing dates. Support will primarily consist of staff and equipment use – there is minimal financial support available during 2014.

Round 1                      Events March to June inclusive

Round 2                      Events July to December inclusive

Late or Incomplete application forms will not be assessed. It is the responsibility of the person/organisation seeking support to ensure the application is received in time to meet the deadline. There is no automatic entitlement to support from IFI. IFI’s decision is final.

Applications that require the support of IFI staff must get agreement from the appropriate RBD Director in relation to local events, this agreement must accompany the application. Applications which cover a number of RBDs must get agreement from all RBD Directors involved. Agreement in relation to staff support availability is not a guarantee of support being granted.

Health and Safety

The Event Organisers must adhere to all the relevant Health and Safety Legislation and carry out all necessary risk assessments, checks and procedures to safeguard the Event participants and spectators.  For example, Life Jackets must be worn by all participants where required by law.

Change of Dates

In awarding sponsorship support, IFI may require event organisers to change the event dates, where congestion occurs or to provide for better clustering of complimentary activities i.e. dates of events changed to maximise spread of angling activity/opportunity.

Post Event Evaluation

The organisers of the Event are required to submit an IFI Event Report Form with press cuttings, photographs, details of participation and attendance.

Photography

Any photographs taken at the Event by or on behalf of IFI or provided by the Event Organisers may be used in IFI publications, Facebook or website etc. Events that include children aged under 18 must seek the written permission of parents/guardians to take photographs and must inform them for what purpose the images will be used.

Sponsorship Criteria

Applications will be assessed according to the following criteria and assigned a score with support assigned to the highest scoring Events. Only Events which meet the essential criteria will be considered.

National Events
Local Events
 

Eligibility Criteria

  • Organised by an Angling Federation/National Body/Other;
  • National event / competition / Series of events;
  • With participants from greater than 200km away;
  • Must be open to non-club members;
  • Is an equal opportunities event;
  • Be a recreational angling event on waters under the remit of IFI or raise awareness of the commercial use of inland fisheries;
  • Give due regard for the environment, ecology and biodiversity of the waters by

a) implementing the principles of Leave No Trace’ and

b) ensuring that bio-security measures are in place in line with IFI recommendations;

  • Apply for and receive event approval from the IFI RBD Director/Business Development Section. (This is to ensure that the Event is in compliance with the aims of the IFI sponsorship programme and is within IFI’s resource capacity); and
  • Have public liability insurance and insurance that indemnifies IFI against claim.
 

Eligibility Criteria

  • Organised by local clubs/organisations;
  • Local event;
  • Participants from less than 200km;
  • Must be open to non-club members;
  • Is an equal opportunities event;
  • Be a recreational angling event on waters under the remit of IFI or raise awareness of the commercial use of inland fisheries;
  • Attract new anglers in an active capacity and not just as spectators;
  • Give due regard for the environment, ecology and biodiversity of the waters by

a) implementing the principles of Leave No Trace’ and

b) ensuring that bio-security measures are in place in line with IFI recommendations;

  • Apply for and receive event approval from the IFI RBD Director. (This is to ensure that the Event is in compliance with the aims of the IFI sponsorship programme and is within IFI’s resource capacity); and
  • Have public liability insurance and insurance which indemnifies IFI against claim.

 

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

Development of non-established Events

Where possible, support will be assigned to assist with the development of new Events which provide additional opportunities to attract more users to recreational angling.

Catch and Release Competitions

Catch and Release events are desirable. In order to minimise fish mortality rates, organisers are encouraged to look at ways of catch verification such as length measurement and photo proof. IFI believes that fish welfare should be of paramount importance and that correct fish handling procedures / the return of fish to the water in the least amount of time possible should be encouraged.

A full explanation must be provided for events other than catch and release giving details of why there is a requirement to kill the fish and their use after the competition.

Leave No Trace initiatives

The Leave No Trace programme is designed to help outdoor enthusiasts to value the natural environment, to understand the impact of their activities and to enable them to make decisions to minimise that impact while still enjoying their activities with freedom.

The seven principles of Leave No Trace are:

(i)         Plan Ahead and Prepare

(ii)       Be Considerate of Others

(iii)     Respect Farm Animals and Wildlife

(iv)     Travel and Camp on Durable Ground

(v)       Leave What You Find

(vi)     Dispose of Waste Properly

(vii)       Minimise the Effects of Fire

 

Events should be organised with due consideration to Leave No Trace where applicable. For more information on Leave No Trace see http://www.leavenotraceireland.org/

Evaluation and Notification

  • IFI will evaluate all the submissions after the closing date and advise the applicants of the outcome in writing.
  • If sponsorship is approved, the applicant will be sent a Letter of Offer containing the conditions of sponsorship which must be signed and returned.
  • If sponsorship is not approved, the applicant will be advised.

Insurance

IFI strives to manage risk associated with events taking place on fisheries in its care. To ensure that event organisers have appropriately assessed the risk associated with their event on IFI fisheries, IFI has divided events into two categories each with different insurance verification standards;

Category 1 (LOW Risk) Events

This category includes events:

  • Where any water based activity is appropriately equipped using qualified personnel at the appropriate supervisor-to-participant ratios (as deemed by the sports organising authority);
  • From accredited or suitable applicants, i.e., a constituted club or organisation with a history of running similar activities or event organisers / supervisors who are accredited in the activity proposed and have ongoing insurance.

Category 1 events may be required to submit the name of their insurance company, the policy number and date of expiry.

Category 2 (HIGH Risk) Events

This category focuses on events which include water activity which;

  • Is predominately motor-powered;
  • Has a multiple number of waterside or waterway activities within the event; and/or
  • Is organised by an ad-hoc committee.

Category 2 events must have their insurance company complete an Insurance Verification Form and return it for verification by an independent insurance assessor.

Powered events are considered to be those where the engine used in the craft exceeds 10hp.

The insurance verification process must be completed a minimum of three weeks before the event takes place.

Conditions of Support

The conditions of support may include some or all of the following:

(i)                 that IFI be acknowledged in all promotional material;

(ii)               the location of the event and GPS location be advised for inclusion in event mapping and calendars;

(iii)             that all material associated with the Event display the IFI corporate identity in a prominent position;

(iv)             that IFI may use photographs taken at the Event or supplied by the Event Organisers in printed materials and on the IFI website, Facebook page etc.;

(v)               that IFI approve of all related designs and layouts;

(vi)             that the Event be titled the “IFI (Event Name)” and that it be referred to as such in all promotional material , individual arrangements may be agreed;

(vii)           that the Event insurance is deemed adequate by the IFI insurance company;

(viii)         that a profit & loss account for the Event be submitted;

(ix)             that a Tax Clearance Certificate or letter from the relevant Tax Authority is submitted;

(x)               that fish welfare initiatives/catch and release are promoted  wherever possible;

(xi)             that advice in relation to improving biosecurity arrangements will be adopted;

(xii)           that an IFI Event Report Form be completed and returned to the relevant federation (or IFI for non-club applicants) within a fortnight of the event taking place;

(xiii)         that in order to minimise impacts on the environment the seven ‘Leave No Trace’ principles be adhered to for the duration of the event. For more information on Leave No Trace see http://www.leavenotraceireland.org/

(xiv)         Conditions as deemed necessary for the particular event.

 

In awarding sponsorship support, IFI may require that events be clustered, i.e. dates of events changed to maximise use of resources or ensure sufficient resources.

Acceptance of Sponsorship Offer

Applicants must confirm that they accept the offer of sponsorship and agree to the conditions of sponsorship by signing a document which will be sent to the Event Organisers with the Letter of Offer.

If the conditions of sponsorship are not adhered to, IFI has the right to withhold or seek to recover all or part of the support provided.

 

Applications will not be assessed until AFTER the submission closing dates of 14 March 2014 and 31 May, 2014.

Late or incomplete applications will not be assessed.

 

If you would like this information in large print or other formats, please contact:

Bridie Fleming,

Business Development Division,

IFI – Swords,

Swords Business Campus,

Swords,

Co. Dublin.Tel: +353 (01)8842600 Email: [email protected]

 

(After 14th April 2014 contact Bridie Fleming, Inland Fisheries Ireland, 3044 Lake Drive, Citywest Business Campus, Citywest, Co. Dublin).