Student Sport Ireland (SSI) is the representative body for higher education sport on the island of Ireland with 23 affiliated universities and colleges representing over 240,000 full time students and over 800 HEI sports clubs.

SSI is recognised by both Sport Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland and is affiliated to the Federation of Irish Sport, the European University Sports Association (EUSA), and the International University Sports Federation (FISU).

Our vision is to lead and influence the potential of student sport in Ireland and our mission is to grow quality student sport competition, enhance wellbeing, and lead the sector.

In January 2021 the SSI Board confirmed its compliance with the Sport Ireland Governance Code for Sport.

Our work programme is guided by a 3 year strategic plan published in 2021 developed in consultation with our affiliated members’ sports staff and student sports leaders, and key external stakeholders.

The plan sets out the organisation’s strategic objectives for the 3 year period to end 2024 and which are aligned to our three strategic pillar of Competition, Physical Activity and Wellbeing, and Leadership. The Board reports to the members on progress in the implementation of the strategic plan at its member assemblies every May and December.

Our core programmes include:

• the coordination of SSI Competitions and oversight of third level competitions,
• the coordination of high performance students at FISU World University Competitions (i.e., FISU Championships and FISU Games),
• the Women’s Student Coaching Academy (WSCA),
• a student leadership programme delivered in partnership with LIFT,
• the annual Find Your Team activation campaign to encourage students to participate in sport and to join a sports club 
• the coordination of members’ networking opportunities;
• advocating and representing on behalf of the sector to our stakeholders and government.

SSI has 3 full-time staff members with an office at Sport HQ on the Sport Ireland Campus in Blanchardstown.