Canoeing Ireland’s chief executive welcomes the significant increase in high performance funding for paddle sports, as previously reported.
Speaking to Afloat.ie, Moira Aston says she attributes the rise—from €40,000 in 2019 to more than 10 times that figure in 2025—to a number of factors.
“We created a high performance strategy which we have successfully delivered on over the past six years,” she says, adding that Canoeing Ireland put more resources into accurately tracking performances and predicting outcomes.
The CEO adds that the “current crop of talented athletes are showing medal potential”, and they now benefit from a pathway model and strategy “to guarantee sustainability to LA 2028 and beyond”.
Aston says: “We have always been honest with Sport Ireland about our ambitions, potential for success and challenges. Because there are no unpleasant surprises and we deliver on our stated outcomes, Sport Ireland have confidence in our ability to manage our high performance system.”
In addition, the Tokyo Review conducted by Sport Ireland “was very positive regarding Canoeing Ireland and included references to cultural change, staffing and team dynamic”. Aston emphasises that “good governance and financial management is one of our main priorities and we work hard at this”.
Ireland’s canoeing chief also singled out performance director Jon Mackey for praise, saying “we are lucky to have [him]”.
