Paralympic gold medallist, Ellen Keane and Olympic gold medallist Kellie Harrington have today been unveiled as the new Dublin City Council Sports Ambassadors as part of a new three-year deal.
The partnership sees Dublin City Council teaming up with the two local sports stars to promote the benefits of sport and physical activity in Dublin while highlighting the importance of a wide and varied sporting infrastructure for a healthy and happy city.
Both stars are very closely identified with their communities in Clontarf and the North East Inner City and this is a coming together that has real authenticity to it.
Through their Sports and Recreation Service, Dublin City Council promotes an active, inclusive, connected citizenship by supporting and empowering communities through the delivery of sports programmes and the provision of a multiplicity of facilities which are accessible to all who live, work or visit Dublin City.
Over 280,000 have participated in various programmes across 40 facilities in the City since 2019.
The City Council employs 21 full-time sports officers and also co-funds another 25 staff in partnership with different sporting bodies.
The Dublin City Council Sports and Wellbeing Partnership is chaired by Rob Hartnett of Sport for Business and works closely with funding from the Council, Sport Ireland and the Dormant Accounts Fund to maximise the impact of sport in the capital.
Keane and Harrington will lend their support by encouraging people across the city to get involved in sport and physical activity and to make use of the fantastic sporting facilities on offer in the city.
Harrington – who will be awarded the Freedom of Dublin by Lord Mayor, Alison Gilliland, on June 11th – and Keane will also support DCC’s work by highlighting existing and soon to be launched programmes in the city, including programmes to support access to sport in socially disadvantaged areas as well as among particular groups of citizens – to include young teenagers, older adults and those with a disability – ensuring that Dublin’s sporting and recreational facilities are accessible for all.
Speaking at the announcement today, Lord Mayor of Dublin, Alison Gilliland said: “I’m thrilled to be able to welcome Kellie and Ellen on board as official Sports Ambassadors for Dublin City Council.”
“These two athletes have represented Ireland with prestige and aplomb on the biggest of sporting stages, and we are truly privileged to have them with us.”
“Sport and recreation enhance the quality of life in Dublin City, while also improving the health and well-being of the citizens of the city.”
“It allows people to engage positively with their neighbours and community and provides an essential social outlet to many people who would otherwise be left isolated and alone. The services DCC provides bring people together, helps to build communities and provides a focus for collective identity and belonging.”
“The work that Dublin City Council is doing for sport in the city is fantastic, and I’m very proud to be representing them as one of their official sports ambassadors,” said Keane.
“Dublin City Council has a wide range of inclusive services for people of all ages and levels. I am really looking forward to helping them to promote the many benefits of physical activity and to also ensure the continued facilitation and inclusion of people with disabilities in gaining access to sport.”
“As a proud Dubliner, I am really honoured to be an ambassador for sport for Dublin City Council,” added Harrington.
“Sport has played an integral role in my life from a very young age, and it is great to see the wide range of facilities on offer here in the capital. I am delighted to be involved and really looking forward to helping DCC showcase the fantastic work that they do.”
Sport for Business Partners
