The Irish Sports Industry Awards will take place at the Westin Hotel in Dublin this evening in front of an audience drawn from across the leadership of the sector.
The Awards are managed by the Federation of Irish Sport, in association with Clubforce, and celebrate and reward excellence in the business of sport, while simultaneously highlighting the contribution of sport to Ireland Inc.
The Sports industry in Ireland supports 64,000 jobs, stimulates €3.3 billion in household spending, and generates €3.7 billion (GVA) gross value added to the Irish economy.
The 2022 event on May 17th will be the fifth staging of the awards which recognise the invaluable relationship between business and sport in Ireland.
“Sport is an integral part of the country’s social and economic fabric,” said Federation CEO Mary O’Connor.
“The quality and the large number of entries received this year are testament to this. We are really looking forward to bringing together key stakeholders in the sports sector for this important evening of recognition of the value of sport to the Irish economy.”
The Judging panel Chaired by Rob Hartnett of Sport for Business met in person last week to determine the shortlists and the winners across nine categories.
“The ability to pause, reflect on and celebrate work well done is often overlooked in the rush to be always looking at the next thing,” said Hartnett.
“The Irish Sport Industry Awards give us reason to do that and the response this year was magnificent.”
“We have come through so many challenges since last we sought nominations, but this is proof positive that we met them with vigour and style.”
“Judging one winner among so many deserving organisations and campaigns has been incredibly hard, but the judges put in a huge amount of thought and effort to get it right, or at least as right as we think.”
“Congratulations to all the winners but also to those who entered. Your work has had an impact in a very positive way.”
This morning we can reveal the shortlisted nominations in the Sports Business of the Year and the New Sports Business of the Year categories:
Best New Sports Business of the Year
- Output Sports
- Moby Bikes
- Score Beo
- Emma Larkin Books
Best Sports Business of the Year
- Statsports
- Glofox
- Cycle Superstore
- Bohemian FC
The previously published shortlist of Open Category Nominees is as follows:
Best Sports Sponsorship
• SPAR Kellie Harrington Partnership
• Energia All Ireland League Sponsorship
• Sky Ireland and FAI Women’s National Team
• AIG Effort is Equal Sponsorship Portfolio
• Indeed Ireland Partnership with Team Ireland Tokyo 2020 Games
• Gala Retail Special Olympics Partnership
Best use of Communications Platform in Sport
• IRFU and TikTok
• AIG Show Your Skills campaign
• Gymnastics Ireland Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games social media campaign
• Her Sport
• Paralympics Ireland Team Ireland at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games
• Football Association of Ireland No Ref. No Game. Campaign
Best Initiative to Promote Women in Sport & Physical Activity
• Rowing Ireland Women on the Water Programme
• Swim Ireland Women in Sport Leadership Programme
• Athletics Ireland Forerunners Programme
• Banbridge Rugby Football Club Development of women and girls’ rugby
• Irish Wheelchair Association 4-year Women in Sport Strategy
• Ladies Gaelic Football Association Learn to Lead Programme
Inclusivity in Sport & Physical Activity
• GAA Inclusivity Framework
• Sporting Pride Learn to Swim Programme
• Football Association of Ireland Football for All Programme
• The Sanctuary Runners inclusive running community
• Basketball Ireland implementation of Cara Xcessible initiative
• Donegal Sports Partnership Donegal Bay Inclusive Sports Hub
Local Sports Partnership of the Year
• Clare Local Sports Partnership
• Dublin City Sport & Wellbeing Partnership
• Laois Sports Partnership
• Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership
• Longford Sports Partnership
• Donegal Sports Partnership
National Governing Body of the Year
• Vision Sports Ireland
• Canoeing Ireland
• Special Olympics Ireland
• Badminton Ireland
• Irish Sailing Association
• Volleyball Ireland
The two other awards for The Jimmy Magee Award for Sports Journalist of the year and the Outstanding Achievement and Contribution to Irish Sport Award will be presented on the night.
Minister of State Jack Chambers will be the special guest and the evening will be hosted by Gráinne McElwain.
We look forward to seeing many members of the Sport for Business network later today.
Sport for Business Perspective:
The quality of work being undertaken across sports and the industry that has grown up around it is immense. This evening gives us an opportunity to celebrate that as we emerge from an unprecedented series of challenges presented by Covid.
Sport for Business Partners
