The Government must set up a relief fund and task force to counter the devastating effect of the coronavirus on sports clubs and bodies across the country, says the Federation of Irish Sports.
The body, which represents over 100 National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) and Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs), made up of around 13,000 sports organisations, says that no sector has been left untouched by the pandemic, which has now caused a 10-week shutdown, with losses of up to 70% of turnover common.
"The fact is that many of our 13,000 clubs and sporting organisations may not survive the financial impact of Covid-19 without financial assistance now," read the statement.
"There has been a significant fall off in income, as the normal revenue sources such as subscriptions, gate receipts, sponsorship, summer camp and coach education income have dried up.
"At the same time, running costs including insurance and facilities maintenance all continue to be incurred.
"Most sports clubs are not-for-profit organisations with minimal reserves, and they are now also facing substantial costs to be able to implement return to sport protocols in accordance with public health guidelines."
The federation has called on the Government to copy Sport England and Sport New Zealand, who have established resilience funds to offset losses.
"Sports clubs... are in most cases small businesses as well as social enterprises – in some cases not that small either," they added.
"It is all too easy to forget that sport in Ireland is today an industry that employs some 40,000 people (supported by some 500,000 volunteers)."
The federation has welcomed the establishment of the 'Return to Sport Expert Group' but wants additional support "to help sustain Irish sport through this unprecedented emergency and the recovery."
A number of sports bodies have voiced their concern about the situation.
Swim Ireland say many swimming pools are "facing a scenario of retaining 80-100% of the running costs whilst operating at only 30-40% of capacity."
Gymnastics Ireland estimate that 96% of their clubs would not survive the next three to six months under the current conditions, while Special Olympics Ireland, the basketball, sailing athletics and cycling bodies have also expressed serious concern about the on-going crisis.
