The financial cost of playing amateur sport has been uncovered to show that as many as seven in every 10 people lose money due to injuries.
Figures of up to €500 were revealed to insurance researchers who found that over 70 per cent of injured people’s sports clubs did not help.
When injuries were suffered while playing for an amateur club, participants said they were not provided with support for physio or medical appointments.
Some 53% admitted that an injury had affected their work or education in terms of performance or attendance.
Some 72% said their most significant injury kept them out of sport for four weeks or more, according to AIG Insurance.
It was only last year that a study was undertaken by Sport Ireland to measure the value of sport in Ireland and its benefits to the Government and country.
Accounts were taken of physical and mental health wellbeing, tourism, sport club membership, volunteering and, importantly, economic activity.
It was calculated that participation in sports prevented 97,000 cases of disease like stroke and Type 2 diabetes in Ireland in 2019 for a total cost saving of over €405m and sport volunteering in Ireland was valued at €1.5bn.
But new research by AIG Insurance has found an unseen cost to male and female participants.
A spokesperson for the research said: “A survey commissioned by AIG Insurance has revealed that 72% of Irish adults who play amateur sport have experienced an injury, with most receiving no financial support.
“Participants were asked about the financial toll and 63% of those injured incurred over €200 in additional costs.
“Some 23% faced an eye-watering bill of more than €500.
“Most respondents noted that they were forced to bear the brunt of the cost themselves as 72% said their clubs didn’t provide or support free physio or medical appointments.”
Over 1,000 athletes and players were surveyed, using databases from partner sporting organisations including Dublin GAA, Golf Ireland and Ladies’ Gaelic Football Association (LGFA).
The spokesperson added: “We surveyed 1,300 players and sport participants across several sports from all over Ireland about their experiences with sports.
“We found that most had experienced an injury, with 33% sustaining one in the last 12 months.
“The majority (63%) of these injuries occurred during match play, with strained muscle (53%), broken bones (34%) and ankle injuries (29%) among the most common problems.
“Participants were asked about the financial toll of such injuries and the findings were stark.
“Higher level athletes were more likely to receive practical support from their clubs.
“But just 23% of junior players and 32% of intermediate players reported being aware of clubs supplying free physiotherapy or medical appointments.”
AIG’s head of accident and health, John Clear, said: “This research reinforces how common injuries in everyday sport can lead to financial consequences.
“The research shows that just 34% of those surveyed had personal accident protection insurance in place.”
AIG Insurance has plans that offer cover for injuries resulting from accidents while exercising and playing sport.
The company stated the cover includes support for “time off work, taxi journeys or even a holiday” on its aig.ie/accident-insurance website.
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