The Federation of Irish Sport today announced the official support of the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships for the 2022 Volunteers in Sports Awards.

The nationwide awards recognise individual volunteers at sports clubs and organisations across the country, who give freely of their time and energy to their local club to help make sport happen.

The awards were previously sponsored by the EBS and while this announcement is not a strictly commercial partnership it does enable those organisations closest to the ground on volunteering activity to share the load of bringing the awards and the recognition they give, to life.

The 2022 Volunteers in Sport Awards, supported by the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships will be celebrated on the 22nd of March 2023 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Blanchardstown.

The closing date for the awards is now Wednesday 8th February. Nominations can be made by completing a short online entry form at https://volunteersinsport.ie/make-a-nomination/

The National Network of Local Sports Partnerships has a huge presence in sport at a grassroots level engaging with local communities to promote physical activity for all ages and abilities, removing barriers and increasing inclusivity.

They offer a wide variety of opportunities to access training, education and targeted programmes and initiatives in sport.

“We are absolutely delighted to have the support of the Local Sports Partnership Network,” said Mary O’Connor, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport.

“Volunteerism in sport forms the foundation of sport the length and breadth of the country. The LSPs are in the heart of communities, supporting all sports at a grassroots level and encouraging physical activity for all. We believe their involvement in the awards will deepen the appreciation of volunteers locally.”

“As a national network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships, we are thrilled to be able to come together to support the Volunteers in Sport Awards as they celebrate those who volunteer their time and energy for the good of their locality,” added Graham Russell, Head of Sport Louth Sports Partnership.

“Each Local Sports Partnerships proactively engages locally with sporting clubs and organizations, as well as partnering with the National Governing Bodies of Sport to support local volunteers and encourage clubs and organisations locally to provide opportunities for everyone in the community to get involved in sport and physical activity, ensuring that sport is inclusive and accessible to all.”

Sport for Business Perspective:

As Chair of the Dublin City Sport and Wellbeing Partnership, I see at close quarters the huge amount of often unheralded work that goes in and this is a good efficient way of sport helping itself to do the right thing.