Republic of Ireland international Amber Barrett has helped launch the 2025 Volunteers in Sport Awards, a nationwide celebration recognising the thousands of people whose time, energy and passion keep Irish sport thriving.
Organised by the Federation of Irish Sport and supported by Sport Ireland’s network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships, the awards honour volunteers who dedicate themselves to clubs and community organisations across the country.
This year’s awards will bring together volunteers from all 32 counties to celebrate their contributions to participation, inclusion and community well-being. Their collective impact is immense — more than 460,000 people volunteer weekly in Irish sport, including over 250,000 coaches who contribute an estimated one million hours each week. According to Sport Ireland, the economic value of their work exceeds €1.5 billion annually.
A new category for 2025, the Club/Community Sport Organisation Award, will recognise a volunteer-led club or group that has made an exceptional contribution to promoting sport, physical activity, and community engagement. Two additional closed categories — the Outstanding Achievement Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award — will honour individuals selected by the judging panel for exceptional service or long-term impact.
Barrett, who has scored nine goals in 55 senior international appearances, said she was proud to support the campaign as ambassador.
“Volunteers are the unsung heroes of sport in Ireland,” she said. “They connect clubs with communities, help kids chase their dreams, bring joy to families, and make a lasting difference in people’s lives. Irish sport simply wouldn’t be the same without them.”
Federation of Irish Sport CEO Mary O’Connor said the awards serve as an important reminder of the power of community effort. “The goodwill and work of volunteers cannot be taken for granted,” she said. “These awards are our chance to say thank you — and to encourage more people to get involved and help safeguard the future of sport in Ireland.”
The awards are once again supported by Sport Ireland’s National Network of Local Sports Partnerships, whose coordinators see the impact of volunteers firsthand. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Sports Partnership coordinator Shane McArdle said: “This is the third year the network has come together to support these awards. Every club and every sport depends on volunteers, and these awards give us a chance to celebrate those who make a real difference. We encourage all clubs to nominate their champions.”
Nominations for the 2025 Volunteers in Sport Awards are now open, with the national celebration taking place on 26 February 2026 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown.
Entries can be submitted via www.volunteersinsport.ie
Image Credit: Federation of Irish Sport
Further Reading for Sport for Business members:
Read our Sport for Business Coverage of Awards
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