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Archive for the ‘News’ Category

Sep
30

Blog Inside Basketball
 
After over a decade of supplying and fitting indoor basketball units for Irish schools, GAA clubs and community centres, these units can be broadly broken down into two principal categories; Main and Practice basketball units.
 

Main Basketball Units.

 
These basketball units are usually found on either end of a sports hall and will facilitate competitive basketball matches.

1. Motorised ceiling mounted basketball units.

 
Dept. of Education specification (PE/594/31) with 1800mm x 1050mm Perspex boards, safety padding, spring loaded rings and brake cable safety devices.
 
This basketball option facilitates National League competitive basketball games and will retract back towards the ceiling when out of play. Most schools and community centres we have dealt with over the years would ideally prefer this option.
 
Ceiling Mtd Basketball
 

2. Main wall mounted units with Perspex backboards & spring loaded rings.

 
Main wall mounted side folding 1.75m up to 3.75m, 1800mm x 1050mm Perspex boards, safety padding and spring loaded rings.
 
When the ceiling mounted basketball option is not possible because of the sports hall structure/design or budget constraints we have installed these basketball units for a number of venues. National League basketball matches can be played using this specification.
 
Main basketball with Perspex

 

3. Main wall mounted side folding units with timber backboards.

 
Main wall mounted side folding units 1.75m up to 3.75m with 1800mm x 1050 timber backboards.
 
Schools & sports venues on a tighter budget maybe wish to forgo the Perspex backboards and break away rings while still being able to play competitive basketball matches. This indoor option however is not to National League standards.
 
Wall Mtd Side Folding with timber 1
 
 

Practice Basketball Units.

 
These units’ backboards are always the smaller 1200mm x 900mm and will be found on a sports halls side walls. There are normally four units in each sports hall for players to practice and hone their basketball skills.
 

 1. Practice side folding goals

 
Wall mounted practice side folding goals with up to 1.5m extensions and standard indoor basketball backboard, 1200mm x 900mm.
 
These types of practice units with extensions of up to 1.5m from the wall allow players to practice their run up techniques. The units fold away either vertically or horizontally when not in use. They can also be fitted with height adjusters as an optional extra.
 
Practice side folding basketball
 

2. Practice fixed goals

 
Wall mounted practice side fixed goals with up to 1.5m extensions and standard indoor basketball backboard, 1200mm x 900mm.
 
Again these types of practice units with extensions of up to 1.5m from the wall allow players to practice their run up techniques but remain in a fixed position from the wall. The height adjustor optional extra is again available for this indoor practice option.
 

Practice fixed basketball
 
3. Flat Fixed Basketball Practice Goals.

 
Standard indoor basketball backboard, 1200mm x 900mm, timber battens to suit.

 
This practice basketball option is chosen when budgets are tightest but a school or sports facility still wants its players to practice their basketball skills. As there are no wall extensions, players can’t practice their run up techniques.
 
Practice flat fixed basketball

 

Click for related products.

Basketball line marking                     Outdoor basketball units.

Indoor Linemarking Sports FloorOutdoor Baskeball Units

 

Contact Fitness Functions.

Contact Fitness Functions.

If you require more detailed indoor basketball information or pricing please do not hesitate to contact us, email our marketing manager; niall@fitnessfunctions.ie, visit our website www.fitnessfunctions.ie or low call us on 1890-252-856. We look forward to hearing from you.

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Jul
08

 

sports-equipment-grants-2014

 

Sports Capital Grants 2014 Allocation, County by County.

 

Junior Minister for Sport Michael Ring within the last week has announced just over €40 million for 880 sports clubs and organisations throughout the country, below see the allocation list county by county, click here for the funding for non-local sporting clubs and organisations.
Dept of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

 

At just over €260,000 Longford received the least amount of funding and Dublin at over €8m received the most but it was less than budgeted for. It was noted that a number of Dublin applications weren’t made successfully and so the 1.1m budgeted amount was distributed between the other counties.

 

Naturally enough soccer, GAA, tennis and boxing clubs recieved the biggest allocations but minority sports were also well allocated for.

Contact Fitness Functions.Visit Fitness Functions Website

If you require Sports Equipment information or pricing please do not hesitate to contact us, email our marketing manager; niall@fitnessfunctions.ie, visit or website www.fitnessfunctions.ie or low call us on 1890-252-856. We look forward to hearing from you.

 

 

2014 Sports Capital Programme
Local Grants Allocated
Organisation Amount Allocated
Carlow €​545,156.00
Askea Karate CLub €​6,500.00
Ballon Karate Club €​1,800.00
Ballymurphy Hall Ltd €​30,000.00
Carlow Cricket Club €​14,000.00
Carlow Dragon Boat Club €​9,356.00
Carlow Gymnastics Club €​10,000.00
Carlow/Graiguecullen Subaqua Club €​40,000.00
Cuchulainn Rounders Club €​2,000.00
Fighting Cocks GFC €​70,000.00
Hanover Harps FC €​60,000.00
Leighlin Parish Sports Grounds Development Committee €​50,000.00
Mount Leinster Rangers GAA Club €​10,000.00
O’Hanrahans GFC €​80,000.00
Old Leighlin Community Support Ltd. €​50,000.00
Rathvilly GAA Club €​30,000.00
Setanta GAA Ceatharlach €​7,000.00
Tinryland G.F.C. €​20,000.00
Tullow Active Retirement Association €​2,500.00
Tullow Amateur Boxing Club €​8,000.00
Tullow RFC €​30,000.00
Vale Wanderers Football Club €​14,000.00
Cavan €​681,110.00
3rd Cavan Virginia Scouting Group €​10,000.00
Bailieborough Leisure Centre €​25,000.00
Bailieborough Shamrocks GFC €​23,000.00
Ballyhaise Celtic Soccer Club €​5,000.00
Ballyhaise GAA Club €​57,000.00
Cavan County Council €​80,000.00
Cavan Triathalon Club €​3,310.00
Cootehill Celtic GAA €​9,000.00
Cornafean GFC €​21,000.00
Crosserlough GFC €​100,000.00
Cuman Gael an Chabhain (Cavan Gaels GAA Club) €​110,000.00
Drumalee €​70,000.00
Focus Family Resource Centre €​1,800.00
Killygarry GAA €​80,000.00
Kilnaleck Handball Club €​40,000.00
Loch Gowna G.A.A. Club €​40,000.00
Virginia Boxing Club €​6,000.00
Clare €​1,036,609.00
Avenue United FC €​18,000.00
Ballina Killaloe Sports & Community Facilities Developmen €​90,000.00
Bridge United AFC €​40,000.00
Clarecastle Sports Complex €​20,000.00
CORBALLY UNITED €​20,000.00
DOOLIN BOXING CLUB €​14,609.00
Kildysart GAA €​120,000.00
Kilmaley GAA Club €​118,000.00

Read more…

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May
23

Sports Floors & Line Marking
 

Sports Floors in Ireland.

We have worked with schools & sports clubs for over ten years in providing new sports floor solutions and renovating their old timber sports floors. In both cases with have also provided the sports court line marking to provide our customers with a ‘ready to play’ sportshall, once we have finished.

New Sports Floor Solutions.

Over the last eighteen months have installed snapsports modular sports floors in Cork, Galway and Westmeath for a school, community centre and GAA club, respectively. Snapsports is globally recognised as a leading modular sports floor provider for both indoor & outdoor, for over thirty five years.

 

Clonkill GAA Club, Westmeath

Clonkill GAA Club, Westmeath

Carraroe Community Centre, Galway

Carraroe Community Centre, Galway

 

Key points & benefits.

Installation. All Irish sports floors took no longer than four days to install.  See installation video below.

Cost. Snapsports modular floors are significantly less costly than traditional wooden sports floors.

Guarantee.  A 12 year full guarantee ensures every customer can make a confident buying decision.

Approval. SnapSports surfaces have been accredited by the following sports organisations; FIBA (basketball), USFF (Unites States Futsal Federation), USA Team Handball, Special Olympics and the ITF (International Tennis Federation). Snapsports flooring systems were used by the U.S. Olympic teams in London 2012.

 

Renovating Older Timber Sports Floors.

Fitness Functions has overseen many school timber sports floor renovation projects over the years. We bring dull and worn sports floors back to life.
 

Sports Floor Renovating Process.sports floor renovation

  1. Thoroughly sand the sports floor
  2. Apply 2 coats of sports specific lacquer
  3. Apply sports court lines
  4. Apply final top coat of lacquer to seal the lines.

Normally we would apply sports line marking for 4-8 courts; 4 x badminton courts, 1 x 5-a-side court, 1 x basketball court, 1 x volleyball.

 

Contact Us

If you have any queries or questions regarding Sports Floors for your school, GAA Club or Community Centre, don’t hesitate to email niall@fitnessfunctions.ie, Lo-call 1890-252-856 or visit our website www.fitnessfunctions.ie

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Feb
11

sports hall divisonal net - Rathmines, Dublin.

 

Sports Hall Netting

Over the past 10 years we have supplied and fitted countless netting systems in sport halls throughout Ireland for schools, GAA clubs, community centres and sports clubs.

Sports Netting Systems.

These indoor netting systems allow sporting venues to divide their sports halls in various ways to optimise space and play numerous games/sports at the same time.

Golf Clubs & Centres.

We also supply netting for golf clubs and centers for indoor and outdoor applications.

Department of Education Divisional Nets.

The Department of Education indoor 594 package references the divisional net as PE 594/39 and states:

 

Divisional Net c/w Hanging Bag.sports hall divisonal net, Dublin

Net: Width and height (determined by size of hall) , lower section 2 m

green canvas, remainder in 22 mm K-K green mesh nylon netting. All

best quality knotless nylon, corded top and both sides with 50 mm

protective canvas, band at bottom with wall bag. Lanyards, for ease of

adjustment. To be fitted at appropriate centres across the full width of

Hall. . Flame retardant canvas and netting.

Note: Larger mesh size is not suitable as it will allow the penetration of

shuttles etc. to adjacent courts.

Trackway: To comply with BS 1892-2.11: 1989

Extruded aluminium section.  Length determined by size of hall.

Complete with levelling hangers, trolleys, net clips and fixings. Trackway

to be rigidly fixed in such a way that no vertical or horizontal movement

is possible.

Note : Normally the net is suspended underneath a central main roof

structural steel member which is accessible and not obstructed by light

fittings and radiant panels. Roof drawings should be made available to

PE Supplier to confirm that this is so.

 

Contact Fitness Functions.

Each sports hall in Ireland is unique and as such, the divider netting fitting & installation is customised to suit the individual sports venue dimensions and requirements.

 

Should you require advice, pricing or quotations in relation to the Sports Divisional Nets don’t hesitate to email Niall Clancy (niall@fitnessfunctions.ie), Lo-call 1890-252-856 or visit our main website www.fitnessfunctions.ie

 

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Dec
02

Sports Safety Padding

 

4 Key safety padding characteristics teachers should know.

 

Number One. Fit for Purpose.

To provide the most appropriate safety padding solution in terms of density, foam thickness, covers and fixing methods, teachers should be clear about what the safety padding is required for. For example, is it padding to suit school radiators or  padding at the end of a sports hall wall used for sprinting?

Column / Pillar Safety padding

 

Number Two. Safety Padding Fitting & Installation.

Most schools we deal with prefer that we install the padding solutions but it is not always necessary. The ‘supply only’ option helps to keep the costs to a minimum for schools that requires safety padding. The factors that determine safety padding installation are:

1. Quantity.

2. Project complexity.

3. School location.

These are the main factors we consider when advising a school on our safety padding installation services.

Number Three. Safety Padding Leads Times.

Our standard safety padding such post padding for basketball or rugby posts are normally in stock and delivery would be with 2-3 days.

Calling to the School.

Our made to measure or customised safety padding solutions for schools would require that we firstly visit the school, and follow up with a quotation. If the school is satisfied and places an order we get ready to start manufacturing their safety padding. The process to this point can be done within 2 weeks.

The safety padding manufacturing process usually requires 1-2 weeks and this then ready to be either supplied or installed. Our safety padding can be supplied within a week but for the installation service we ask schools to allow approximately 2-3 weeks for scheduling.

To summarise, from initial school contact the supply of our customised safety padding requires 4-5 weeks. If our installation service is required, the whole process requires a total of  7 weeks, under normal conditions.

Number Four. Range of Colours & Finishes.

Without question the priority of safety padding in the school environment is of a functional nature; protection of children, staff and school property. That said, there’s no reason that your safety padding shouldn’t be aesthetically pleasing and finished in a way that fits seamlessly into the school environment. We have a range of safety colours, materials and finishes which we advise from.

Our Satisfied Customers:

Aviva Stadium, Dublin      Ski Club of Ireland, Kilternan     UCC, Mardyke Arena,

Waterford Football Club, 

The HSE, nationwide     The Irish Prison Service,     The Dept of Education, nationwide

Contact Us.

If you have any queries or questions regarding Safety Padding for your school don’t hesitate to email niall@fitnessfunctions.ie, Lo-call 1890-252-856 or visit our website www.fitnessfunctions.ie – See more at: http://blog.fitnessfunctions.ie/#sthash.R64NmlH0.dpuf

 

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Nov
25

Waterford FC - Safety Padding

 

Football Club Safety Padding, Co. Waterford.

 

1. Football Club’s Brief.

Waterford football club had issues with run off areas and fencing surrounding their new synthetic pitch. They estimated that they required 40-60 metres of durable, hard wearing Sports Safety Padding and approached Fitness Functions through Waterford County Council. As the run off areas and fencing were at different heights & angles the safety padding had to accommodate this.

 

2. Our Safety Padding Solution.

After consulting with the Football Club and reviewing various possibilities we decided on 70mm high impact, water resistant & easily cleaned pads at varying heights of 4ft and 6ft. This specification of padding was quite similar to the Aviva Stadium Safety Padding we installed some time ago.

3. On Site Installation Details 

A combination of masonry fixings, steel brackets and timber batons were used on the fences and solid end walls to securely fix our safety padding. This project required two men over two days.

4. Care & Maintenance.

The safety padding we installed is covered with heavy duty, easily cleaned vinyl which means the football club efforts in active care and maintenance of these safety pads are at an absolute minimum.

Contact Fitness Functions.

If you have any queries or questions regarding Sports Safety Padding for your Club & Community Centre don’t hesitate to email niall@fitnessfunctions.ie, Lo-call 1890-252-856 or visit our website www.fitnessfunctions.ie


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Nov
11

Line Marking

 

PE406/50 Indoor Line Marking.

Fitness Functions has carried out hundreds of projects direct from the Department of Education School Sports 406 and 594 packages, the Department allows for 7 courts to be painted for sports activities.

 

The official list comprises:

  • 1 x main basketball court
  • 1 x volleyball court
  • 4 x badminton courts
  • 1 x five a side football – set of penalty and goal circles

In general, we believe teachers should be aware of the following 7 factors.

1. Sports Hall Cleaning.

If the school has enlisted the services of a professional line marking company ensure the hall isn’t treated with detergents and soaps beforehand. The best preparation is to simply sweep the hall clean and ensure its as ‘dust free’ as possible.

2. Save Money/Value for Money.

We are often asked how much it costs to line mark one sports court for a school.

The answer and reality is that, it’s much better value for the school to get a number of sports courts marked at the same time. The main reason being the cost of labour. So deciding on the number of courts, what games will be played and ordering them all together will save the school a lot of effort and more money.

3. Existing Courts / Fading Courts.

Existing courts can be relined and remarked, in fact the majority of our work is to re line existing courts. The time involved is more or less the same but it may require some additional preparation work.

4. How long after the work are the courts playable?

Ideally the courts should be left for 2 full days however most schools use the the courts afters 24hours.

5. Court Sizing.

Sports Halls come in various sizes and the line marking professionals selected should be able to resize the courts back to the schools exact requirements.

6. Multi-Purpose Lines.

In the case of Primary Schools, the main sports courts may not be needed and as such multi-purpose lining is a much versatile and cost effective option.

7. What surfaces can be lined.

The majority of courts to be lined are either timber, vinyl or rubber. Although most professional court markings companies can line mark more surfaces. We line mark all the main surfaces and please feel free to contact us for specific situations.

 

If you have any queries or questions regarding Line Marking for your school don’t hesitate to email niall@fitnessfunctions.ie, Lo-call 1890-252-856 or visit our website www.fitnessfunctions.ie

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Oct
30

School Gym Mats

PE/10 Gymnastic Mats.

The first item on the Department of Education list for secondary schools sports hall tender packages is gymnastics mats.
There are two gym mats currently recommended by the Department of Education for PE general exercises; the PE10A Horizontal Gym Mat and the PE10B Lightweight Vertical Gym Mat.

A.) Horizontal Storage type Flame Retardant Gymnastic Mat.

1830 mm x 1220 mm x 25 mm to comply with EN 12503 with particular reference to regulations concerning:

  • A) classification & intended use
  •  B) flame retardancy

4.5 kg (10 lbs) density reconstituted chipfoam. Bonded cover. Anti-slip base. Horizontal storage recommended.

OR

B.) Lightweight Flame Retardant Gymnastic Mats.

1830 mm x 1220 mm x 32 mm to comply with standard, specification & flame retardancy as above. Anti-slip base. Designed for vertical storage. This gym mat is slightly more costly than the standard school gym mat.

PE/11 Mat Trolleys

To complement the choice of mats choosen there are two mats trolleys.

1. Horizontal Mat Trolley.

  • For Horizontal Storage type Flame Retardant Gymnastic Mat.
  • Flat bed type. Suitable for transporting 20 gymnastic mats (PE594/10A).
  • Six Non-marking 100 mm x 25 mm ball rack mounted swivel castors.
  • Tubular steel construction with pulling handle.
  • Framework finished with epoxy powder coated paint.

OR

2. Vertical Mat Trolley.

  • For Lightweight Flame Retardant Gymnastic Mat.
  • Tubular steel construction c/w side frames and pulling handle.
  • Accepts 10 lightweight mats (PE594/10B).
  • Four Non-marking 100 mm x 25 mm ball rack mounted swivel castors.
  • Brakes on castors on 2 diagonally opposite corners.
  • Framework finished with epoxy powder coated paint.

Contact us / Pricing.

If you have any queries or questions regarding which gym mats or which mat trolleys are best for your school don’t hesitate to email niall@fitnessfunctions.ie, Lo-call 1890-252-856 or visit our website www.fitnessfunctions.ie

- See more at: http://blog.fitnessfunctions.ie/gymmats/02/gym-mats-for-schools/#sthash.VXGy3e3W.dpuf

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Oct
16

School Sports Equipment – Department of Education Standards.

We have been manfacturing suppying sports equipment that meets the Irish Department of Education standards and specifications for almost ten years.

We intend to post a grouping of the main sports items fom the 3 main School Sports packages on a frequent basis. We’ll include a brief description, some images and relavant links.department of Education

The main Department of Education school sports equipment packages in Ireland are:

 

406 – indoor sports package

594 – indoor sports package

Outdoor sports package

Contact Fitness Functions.

If you require additional information or if you would like Fitness Functions to visit your school sports hall, please do not hesitate to contact us. Email our digital marketing manager; niall@fitnessfunctions.ie or visit our website.

- See more at: http://blog.fitnessfunctions.ie/#sthash.EkviG7ai.dpuf

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Aug
08

Top 5 things Irish Schools & Clubs should know when buying Basketball Units

 

Basketball, as one of the fastest growing sports in Ireland requires appropriate facilities. Irish Schools & Sports Centres/Halls over the last 10 years have often approach us for advice on installing basketball goals and units in their sports hall. We believe that the following 5 factors, ultimately, decide what Basketball Goals a sports venue will have.

 

Ceiling mounted basketball Sports Halls

1. Sports Hall Construction.

The  design of your  sports centre  will  decide what basketball  goals are the most adequate for your sports hall. In order for your facility to take a ceiling or roof  mounted  basketball  system you’ll need to have  sufficient steelwork at roof level. For wall  mounted basketball goals you’ll need blockwork capable of taking the load (the wall must be of suitable strength to support a load of 200 kg on a cantilever arm of 4 m extension from the wall at a height of 4 metres.)

Fitness Functions offer a free consultation service to determine your requirements *

2. Competition Level.

This factor plays a critical part in deciding what basketball units will best suit your venue.   Some venues host  national super league or International matches,  but most halls will play to schools competitions and  incorporate  practice goals basketball. Mobile basketball goals, wall or ceiling mounted systems can be provided for each level.

Click to request a brochure.


3. Budget.

As a general rule “Wall” as opposed to “Ceiling” mounted basketball units are the  least expensive solution. The  wall units can be in a fixed  play  position or could be either side or vertically folding to the wall when not in use, to avoid interfering with other activities.

 

4. Age Group

Coming to a decision on what groups and ages will actually be playing determines the  design of the units required. In a junior or national school the ring height would be set to 8′ 6″for players up to 13 years, senior level ring height is 10ft. Our goals can be fixed and made to suit one height. Alternatively, we can make the units with a lifting/lowering device to allow play at both heights.

5.  Manual or electrically operated basketball system.

The decision here relates to the basketball system being either manually operated via a winch system or an electronic system which will raise and lower your units into place. Naturally the manual system is the more economically option but the electronic option is the preferred choice.

Contact Fitness Functions.

If you require need us to call out to your Sports Hall or require additional, basketball sets, basketball rings or backboard information please do not hesitate to contact us, email our marketing manager; niall@fitnessfunctions.ie or visit or website www.fitnessfunctions.ie. We look forward to hearing from you.



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