The FAI has launched a new FAI Grassroots Volunteer Awards programme, creating seven national categories to recognise the people whose unpaid contribution keeps football operating in clubs, leagues, schools and communities across the country.
The new awards build on the FAI Volunteer Recognition Programme introduced earlier this year, through which 20 people were recognised for their contribution to grassroots football.
They broaden that recognition across coaching, youth volunteering, women and girls’ football, Football for All and the education sector.
The seven categories are Volunteer of the Year; Young Volunteer of the Year for those aged 16 to 24; Noel O’Reilly Male Volunteer Coach of the Year; Noel O’Reilly Female Volunteer Coach of the Year; Women/Girls Volunteer of the Year; Disability/Football for All Volunteer of the Year; and Schools/Third Level Volunteer of the Year.
Nominations are now open and will close on Friday, October 30th, with the winners to be honoured at the FAI Education & Coach Development Conference in January 2027.
“The impact that volunteers have on our game cannot be overstated; they are the lifeblood of Irish football,” said FAI President Paul Cooke.
“In every part of the country, you will find that grassroots football is powered by the dedication of volunteers who give so much to help others enjoy being involved in football.”
Cooke said the awards were intended to shine a light on those who frequently work away from public attention.
“If you know of any unsung hero deserving to be celebrated and have seen the impact and contribution that they have made then please nominate them for an Award.”
Recognising the breadth of volunteering
The criteria underline just how wide the volunteer footprint within Irish football has become.
Volunteer of the Year will recognise those whose behind-the-scenes work keeps clubs and leagues functioning effectively, while the Young Volunteer award focuses on emerging leaders aged between 16 and 24.
The two Noel O’Reilly coaching awards recognise male and female volunteer coaches who place player development, enjoyment, sportsmanship and a positive environment at the centre of their work.
The Women/Girls Volunteer of the Year award will recognise those expanding opportunities within the female game, including establishing teams, participation programmes and player pathways.
The Disability/Football for All category extends beyond playing structures to those involved in social inclusion, mental health and cross-community programmes, while the Schools/Third Level award recognises volunteers creating sustainable links between education and football.
Sport for Business Perspective
Volunteers remain one of the most significant assets within Irish sport, but also one of the most difficult to quantify in traditional financial terms.
Every training session organised, fixture administered, team transported, committee meeting attended or participation programme delivered represents both an economic contribution and a piece of social infrastructure that would be extremely difficult to replace through paid employment alone.
For governing bodies, formal recognition programmes support volunteer retention, recruitment and succession planning, particularly as clubs across sport are asked to meet increasingly sophisticated standards around safeguarding, governance, inclusion, facilities and administration.
The expansion of the FAI programme into dedicated national awards further acknowledges that the strength of Irish football is determined not only by what happens at international or League of Ireland level, but also by the thousands of people giving their time each week across the grassroots game.
Nominations for the FAI Grassroots Volunteer Awards remain open until October 30th.
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Image Credit: FAI and Ben MacShane, Sportsfile
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