The Ladies Gaelic Football Association has announced a new commercial partnership that places volunteers firmly at the centre of its strategic narrative, with dooctor.ie confirmed as title sponsor of the LGFA National Volunteer of the Year Awards.
The 2025 awards, now officially known as the LGFA National Volunteer of the Year Awards in association with dooctor.ie, will be presented at Croke Park on Friday, January 23, bringing together volunteers from across the country whose contribution underpins every level of Ladies Gaelic Football.
Now in its ninth year, the awards programme recognises the often unseen work carried out by administrators, coaches, media officers and club organisers, with eight category winners to be honoured alongside an induction into the Volunteer Hall of Fame.
The Overall Volunteer of the Year will also receive the Lulu Carroll Award, named in memory of the late Lulu Carroll, a former All-Star and All-Ireland senior medallist with Laois who became one of the game’s most respected figures both on and off the field.
Speaking at the announcement, LGFA President Trina Murray emphasised the strategic importance of recognising volunteers at a national level.
“Our volunteers are the heartbeat of the LGFA, giving countless hours to support players, clubs, schools and communities across the country,” she said.
“It is only fitting that their dedication, compassion and commitment are recognised and celebrated on a national stage.”
“We are proud to partner with dooctor.ie, an organisation that shares our values of care, accessibility and community wellbeing. Their innovative approach to healthcare reflects the modern, people-focused ethos of our Association.”
“This sponsorship strengthens our ability to shine a light on the extraordinary individuals who quietly make our games possible every day.”
For dooctor.ie, the partnership offers meaningful integration into Ireland’s largest female participation sport, reaching deep into local communities while reinforcing its own positioning as a service built around people, not processes.
Founder Dr Hafiz Mohd Ali said the alignment with the LGFA was a natural one.
“There is an incredible amount of work being done at the grassroots level to support female sport across Ireland, much of it driven by dedicated volunteers who give their time, energy and passion to their communities,” he said.
“The LGFA’s commitment to recognising and rewarding the people who keep these traditions alive is both inspiring and richly deserved.”
The 2025 winners will be announced on Tuesday, January 13, ahead of the ceremony ten days later.
Sport for Business Perspective
The addition of dooctor.ie as sponsor reflects a growing alignment between community sport and purpose-led brands seeking authentic engagement rather than purely transactional exposure.
The awards also illustrate how governing bodies are increasingly using recognition programmes as strategic assets — reinforcing culture, retaining volunteers and offering sponsors association with values that resonate strongly with participants and families alike.
In a sporting ecosystem where volunteer fatigue and recruitment are ongoing challenges, public celebration at a venue like Croke Park sends a powerful signal about the value placed on contribution beyond the playing field.
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