Canoeing Ireland welcomes the continued investment in High Performance sport through Sport Ireland, reinforcing a long-term commitment to athlete development and success on the international stage.
The provision of multi-annual funding brings valuable certainty to our high-performance system, enabling more effective planning, stronger pathways, and a clear focus on sustained progression towards Olympic and World Championship level. This investment supports not only performance outcomes, but the ongoing development of an environment where athletes can thrive, with access to high-quality coaching, services, and support structures.
Looking ahead, this funding will play a central role in shaping our preparations towards LA 2028 and beyond. It allows Canoeing Ireland to further evolve its high-performance programmes, ensuring they remain athlete-centred, progressive, and aligned with best practice internationally.
We recognise and appreciate the continued support from Government and Sport Ireland, and the confidence this represents in the direction of our sport. With this backing, we are well positioned to strengthen our pipeline of talent and create more opportunities for Irish paddlers to compete and succeed at the highest level.
Performance and Pathway Director, Michael Black, highlighted the importance of this funding in enhancing both performance and the athlete experience –
‘This level of support reflects a strong belief in both the potential of our athletes and the direction of our programme. It provides us with the stability and confidence to plan ambitiously, while also reinforcing the standards and accountability that come with high-performance investment.
Importantly, it also enables us to continue developing a sustainable high-performance culture, one that prioritises athlete wellbeing, long-term development, and excellence in daily practice. It allows us to build greater depth within the programme, invest in people, and ensure our athletes are consistently training and competing in world-class conditions. Success at the highest level is built on consistency, clarity, and collaboration, and this investment allows us to reinforce those foundations.’
