The second Annual Sport for Business Children and Sport event will take place on Thursday, September 25th, with a morning of learning and inspiration.
Among the areas of interest will be social enterprise initiatives, more formal pathways through schools, the elevation towards high performance as part of Team Ireland at the European Youth Olympic Festival, the winners from the Dare to Believe PExpo held earlier this year and how sport is being safely delivered.
We will also be workshopping different ideas, helping to bring diverse voices and perspectives to the forefront.
We are once again bringing this vital subject to life through our partnership with Allianz.
The full lineup for the event is as follows, and we would be delighted to have you join us, learn from others, and share your own story.
Venue: Explorium, Sandyford
Date: Thursday, 25th September 2025
10:00 – 10:30 | Arrival & Networking
Coffee & pastries on arrival
Informal networking
10:35 – 10:45 | Opening Remarks
Welcome from Rob Hartnett, Sport for Business
10:45 – 11:15 | Athlete Panel: Inspiring the Next Generation
Rob Hartnett in conversation with athletes from the Olympic Federation of Ireland & European Youth Olympics, including medalists and emerging stars
Featuring Chester Enriquez, Vault Gold Medal, Floor Bronze Medal; Ben Sykes, 100M Bronze Medal; Erin Friel, 400M Bronze Medal; Eilis McHugh, 400M Hurdles Bronze Medal; Joe Burke, Bronze Medal 200M
11:15 – 11:35 | Creating the Right Pathways
Initiatives from across the Irish Sporting landscape on how to get children involved in sport
Featuring Niall O’Regan, Head of Education and Development at the FAI
11:35 – 11:55 | Social Enterprise Spotlight
Little Fitness with Dublin City Council Sports Partnership on delivering community play days and active youth engagement
Featuring Sinéad Ryan, Founder of Little Fitness
11:55 – 12:20 | Your Voices from across the sector
Small group conversations on issues around Children’s engagement with sport.
1. Early Experiences Shape Lifelong Habits
2. Sport Builds More Than Skills
3. Inclusion Opens the Door for Everyone
4. Avoiding Burnout and Dropout
5. The Bigger Picture: Society and Health
6. Building Tomorrow’s Sporting Culture
12:25 – 12:40 | Sport Ireland Spotlight
Focus on Young Voices in Sport Initiative
Featuring Micheál Collins, Safeguarding Manager, Sport Ireland
12:40 – 12:55 | Youth Innovation Showcase
Interview with PE Expo 2025 Winners, highlighting their project and its impact
12:55 – 13:10 | Your voices
Hearing from the group conversations.
13:10 – 13:45 | Future Sport Launch
On-stage conversation: Professor Fiona Chambers & Rob Hartnett
Launch of Future Sport initiative
13:45 Close, Light Lunch and Networking
Image Credit Sport for Business
Further Reading for Sport for Business members:
Check out more of our Sport for Business coverage of Children and Sport
SPORT FOR BUSINESS AUTUMN EVENTS
On September 25th we will host our Annual Children in Sport Conference
On October 14th, our Annual Sport for Social Good Event will shine a spotlight on good work being done through the medium of sport across the country.
Then in November a new event focused on Sustainability in Sport and in December our 12th Annual Women in Sport Conference, in partnership with Lidl.
Find out More about Our Sport for Business Events Programme Here
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MEMBERSHIP AND EVENTS
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This includes all of the leading sports and sponsors, as well as commercial and state agencies, individuals interested in our world, and an increasing number from beyond these shores taking a keen interest in Ireland. Â
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