Garry Kehoe

Garry Kehoe is the Leinster Activation Officer with Badminton Ireland and has quickly established himself as a driving force behind the sport’s post-pandemic recovery and grassroots growth.

A Masters graduate in Sports Management from University College Dublin, following a BA undergraduate degree at UCC, he joined the organisation in 2022 and has since played a central role in rebuilding participation, contributing to Badminton Ireland being recognised as NGB of the Year in 2025.

He has led a number of impactful initiatives, including the Integration Protection Programme, which introduced badminton to people living in Direct Provision centres and supported many in connecting with local clubs. The programme was shortlisted for a Badminton World Federation Award in 2025.

He also developed the ‘Come and Try Badminton’ initiative, a structured pathway that has resulted in the establishment of more than 10 new clubs across Leinster. In schools, he has been instrumental in expanding the Leinster Primary Schools competition, piloting a County Qualifier model in 2024 and growing the programme to five events in 2025, reaching more than 20 new schools.

Beyond his professional role, Kehoe was named Federation of Irish Sport Volunteer of the Year in 2025 for his work with Marble City Boxing Club, where he has been Head Coach since 2017, overseeing significant growth in membership and female participation.

He has also contributed at high-performance level as a National Team Coach with Boxing Ireland since 2023, supporting teams at European and World Championships, including Ireland’s most successful ever youth medal haul.

His nomination read that “At just 29 years of age Garry has built a track record of delivering impactful initiatives at both grassroots and elite level sports environments.”

 

Already Appearing on the 2026 List

Sarah Redmond, Connor Ellis, Garry Kehoe
Nominations for 2026

So, who do you work with that has shone over the past twelve months or more and is deserving of recognition as they rise through their career?

It could be someone you work alongside, or in another area that you have admired or been impressed by.

Now is your chance to do something special for them.

Criteria

The criteria for submission is that the person should be working within the sports industry, or in a sponsorship or agency capacity that is bringing sport to life, and that they should be born in or after 1996.

You are invited to submit names and a short summary of why an individual deserves to be recognised below.

Our ambition from the start has been to create a network of people making a real difference within our industry.

Who should we be looking to for the next wave of excellence?

Over the coming weeks we will feature a run of interviews with those who have gone before, and we will continue to highlight some of those that have taken on a new role in the past year or two.

Then in June we will gather once more in the offices of PwC to meet in person, share experience and forge connections that will be of real value.

And we will also be looking at additional ways in which we can help those nominated to enhance their career and build strong friendships across the sector, particularly in this the tenth year of the list.

 

If you, like PwC, would like to be part of the Sport for Business community and see your organisation in our content, on our stages, and in the conversation happening every day around the commercial world of Irish Sport, email us today and let’s see what is possible.

 

Image Credit: Sport for Business

 

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Through analysis, storytelling and convening the sector, it helps leaders understand trends, share best practice and make better-informed decisions. Its work positions sport not just as entertainment, but as a vital contributor to Ireland’s social and economic fabric.

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