Athlete Zone

The Canoeing Ireland Athlete Zone brings together a wide range of information and resources designed to support athletes at every stage of their journey, both on and off the water. Here you will find guidance on organisational structures and key staff roles, details on athlete services and support programmes, welfare and safeguarding information, and the work of the Athletes’ Commission. The section also provides information on carding and performance supports, mental health resources, anti-doping education, and opportunities for additional training and development. Together, these supports reflect our commitment to athlete wellbeing and our core values of Inclusion, Integrity, Respect and Passion, ensuring athletes have the knowledge, support and structures they need to thrive in the sport.

Performance Staff

Athletes Commission

The Canoeing Ireland Athletes Commission ensures athletes have a strong voice within the organisation. It represents athlete interests in decision-making, promotes athlete welfare and rights, strengthens communication between athletes and leadership, and helps connect athletes with the supports and resources available across the wider sporting system. There are 5 members of the Canoeing Ireland Athletes Commission –

If you have feedback, concerns, or a complaint you would like to raise, you can use the anonymous feedback form below to share it with the Athletes Commission. Your input helps strengthen our sport and ensures athlete perspectives continue to shape how the organisation develops and supports its paddlers.

If you have any other feedback, or would like to contact the Athletes Commission directly, please email athletescommission@canoe.ie.

Welfare Policy

Canoeing Ireland is committed to creating an environment where all athletes can train and compete in a safe, respectful and supportive performance system. Athlete welfare is fundamental to sustainable performance and applies across all areas of the programme including coaching practice, training environments, communication, and operational planning.

Mental Health First Aid

Canoeing Ireland is working to ensure that athletes across the sport have access to trained Mental Health First Aiders through the Athletes Commission. These individuals are available as a first point of contact for anyone who may need support, guidance, or simply a conversation. Speaking with a Mental Health First Aider is informal, confidential, and designed to make it easy for athletes to reach out in a supportive and understanding environment. If you would like to connect with a member of the Athletes Commission, you can contact them at – athletescommission@canoe.ie.

Anti-Doping

Canoeing Ireland is committed to supporting clean sport through education, awareness and compliance with the Sport Ireland Anti-Doping Rules and the World Anti-Doping Agency Anti-Doping Code. Understanding your rights and responsibilities as an athlete helps protect your health, your reputation and the future of our sport. Every athlete has the right to compete on a level playing field, free from the influence of prohibited substances and methods. Access the Anti-Doping page below to access a wide range of supports and resources –

International Carding Scheme

The Sport Ireland International Carding Scheme provides financial support to high-performance athletes competing in Olympic sports. Eligible Canoeing Ireland athletes in Olympic disciplines may be nominated based on international performance criteria to help support their training and competition at the highest level.

Complaints and Appeals

Canoeing Ireland is committed to providing a safe, respectful and supportive performance environment for all athletes. If you have a concern, question or complaint, support is available and concerns can be raised through a clear, graduated process. We encourage issues to be addressed early where possible, while ensuring that serious matters are managed fairly, confidentially and appropriately. Explore the resources below to understand the pathways for raising a concern and the supports available.