Rugby stars line out as sports ambassadors

By Jimmy Woulfe Mid-West Correspondent

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

RUGBY legends Keith Wood and Peter Clohessy yesterday signed up to become Ireland’s first sports ambassadors.

The initiative aims to bring more major sports events to the mid-west region.

The ambassadors’ programme has been devised by Shannon Development and the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau to help increase the region’s share of the lucrative national and international sports’ tourism market.

Dr Vincent Cunnane, chief executive Shannon Development, said: "Sports tourism in the Shannon Region is worth an estimated €60 million annually to the economy benefiting a range of businesses from the accommodation sector, transport services, pubs, and restaurants right through to visitor attractions, sports facilities, and the retail trade.

"Limerick and the Shannon region is already recognised internationally as a top destination for sports events, securing such high profile events over the years as the World Medical Games, the World Vintage Rugby Sevens, the World Cross Country Championships and the national and International Corporate Games.

"We believe this latest initiative will capitalise on this key strength and is capable of delivering a bigger share of this lucrative market to the Shannon Region.

"We are delighted to partner with the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau to promote this worthwhile programme and we would call on others to partner with us to make sports event organisers aware of the wonderful sports facilities which this region has in abundance," said Mr Cunnane.

Speaking about the role of the sports ambassador, Karen Brosnahan, business development manager Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau, said: "A sports ambassador is someone who is willing, with our help, to bid for a national or international sporting event. We are looking for people involved in sports of all kinds from sailing, surfing, swimming to cycling, golf, badminton, walking, this list is endless, who know of upcoming national and overseas events in their sport to get in touch with us. We are looking at targeting events such as the World Down Syndrome Swimming Championship and the World Baton Twirling Championships which were held in the Shannon Region previously."

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Wednesday, November 25, 2009