SINI History
2000
The concept of a Sports Institute was introduced to Northern Ireland Sporting bodies and they were challenged to demonstrate how they could make effective use of this opportunity. The, then, Sports Council of Northern Ireland made a decision on which were to be the core sports for the pilot phase of Institute (SINI) operation. These core sports were Athletics, Gaelic Football, Hockey and Rugby.
2001
The SINI project base was established at the University of Ulster Jordanstown. The first full-time staff were appointed.
2002
A pilot programme of limited service delivery began with 60 athletes. At this point, the University of Ulster were funding all the costs associated with this pilot and some of the services were delivered via part-time consultants. At a later point Sport Northern Ireland Lottery Fund reimbursed the University of Ulster for these costs.
2003
SINI increased its service capacity with the appointment of full-time staff in Physiotherapy and Sports Science.
2004
A Business Manager was appointed and SINI was operating in its full pilot mode. A Board was established to guide work in advance of formation of the Sports Institute Northern Ireland Company.
2005
In January 2005, the Individual Athlete Programme was established thus increasing the number of sports accessing Institute services. SINI’s first corporate plan was unveiled and business plans were developed. In September of that year, the Sports Institute Northern Ireland (SINI) was formed as a two member company owned by Sport Northern Ireland (SNI) and University of Ulster (UU).
2006
SINI was now operating as an independent company with revenue funding received through the Sport Northern Ireland (SNI) Lottery Fund. Service capacity continued to grow with further new staff appointments.
2007
University of Ulster accepted a grant of £8M from Sport Northern Ireland to develop an £11M Performance Centre at the Jordanstown site and construction started. More sports began to show an interest in engaging with SINI
2008
SINI became operational from the newly built Sports Centre at Jordanstown. A revision of SINI was undertaken to consider lessons from the first phase of operation and the changing landscape of performance sport within Northern Ireland. The emergence of a new Sport Northern Ireland Performance Sport Team positioned SINI as a key agent delivering services to NI’s best athletes and coaches. A new SINI delivery model was proposed in order to meet these objectives and a new business case and corporate plan were identified. New Board members were appointed.
2009
The new business case for SINI (2009-14) was submitted to the Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS). The new operational model for SINI was established in April 2009. This model awards athletes Institute services based on merit and not sport specific quotas.
