Matt English will retire as the CEO of Special Olympics Ireland later this year.

The news was broken to staff at the organisation’s Sport Ireland Campus HQ yesterday and relayed to patrons, supporters, board members, and other key stakeholders.

Matt has led Special Olympics Ireland for 19 years, turning it into one of the most positive places on the connection point between sport and a better society.

He has just led a team to the World Special Olympics Winter Games where Team Ireland returned with eleven medals and a higher visibility for the athletes and the clubs they hail from than ever before.

Since becoming the first country outside of the United States to host a World Games back in 2003, Special Olympics Ireland has been a global leader within this important movement.

It provides physical activity and community for people with an intellectual disability and their families. To be exposed to the joy this brings for only a few moments will be among the best moments of your year.

Matt English has been key to that. His light touch, warm humanity, and deep understanding of the power of sport have served Special Olympics and Ireland well these past two decades.

He has spoken at Sport for Business events and has been a good friend over this time, and while he will be missed, we should be grateful for the time spent rather than regret the fact that it will come to an end.

A search for his successor will begin shortly.

 

 

Further Reading for Sport for Business members: The Simple Special Power of Volunteering

 

SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE

Some man for one man, Matt has been a good friend and a great advocate for the power of sport.  It has been and will continue to be a pleasure to know him.

WHAT’S UP NEXT?

The Special Olympics Ireland National Games will take place in June 2026

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