The Federation of Irish Sport has opened nominations for the 2026 Volunteers in Sport Awards, recognising one outstanding volunteer from each of Ireland’s 32 counties.
Supported by the Sport Ireland National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships, the awards highlight the people whose contributions underpin clubs, teams and sporting communities across the country.
Nominations are open until December 9th, with the award recipients to be honoured at a national ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Blanchardstown on Thursday, February 25th, 2027.
Irish international cricketers Lorcan Tucker, George Dockrell and Gareth Delany helped launch this year’s awards.
The scale of volunteering across Irish sport remains remarkable.
More than 460,000 people volunteer each week in support of sport and physical activity, while more than 250,000 volunteer coaches contribute an estimated one million hours every week.
Those numbers indicate the enormous human infrastructure behind organised sport in Ireland, from coaching and administration to refereeing, fundraising, transport, safeguarding, and the countless other roles required to keep clubs running.
“The Volunteers in Sport Awards are an important platform each year to recognise individuals from all across the country, representing the immense value they and thousands like them bring to their communities each week,” said Mary O’Connor, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport.
“These volunteers play a vital role in creating opportunities for participation, fostering inclusion, strengthening communities and ensuring that sport remains accessible to people of all ages and abilities.”
The Club/Community Sports Award, supported by Clann Credo, also returns for 2026.
It will recognise a volunteer-led sports club, community organisation or group that has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to promoting participation, physical activity and community wellbeing.
Sport Ireland CEO Dr Úna May highlighted the fundamental role volunteers continue to play in enabling participation.
“Sport in Ireland relies on volunteers. They coach teams, referee matches, run clubs and give up their free time so that others can experience the lifelong benefits of sport and physical activity,” she said.
“With over two million adults playing sport every week, their contribution has never mattered more.”
She also pointed to Sport Ireland’s Policy on Volunteering in Sport and the importance of building sustainable structures around those who give their time freely.
“Volunteering plays a significant role in a strong and thriving sport sector. We are grateful to every volunteer, and proud to celebrate their work.”
Sport for Business Perspective
Irish sport regularly celebrates performances on the field, but the Volunteers in Sport Awards provide an annual reminder of the scale of the largely unseen workforce that makes those performances possible.
The economic value of one million volunteer coaching hours every week is extraordinary. More important, though, is the social value created through clubs and community organisations providing places where people can participate, belong, learn and connect.
Recognition matters within that environment.
The challenge for sport is not simply to thank volunteers, but to ensure that volunteering remains attractive, manageable and sustainable at a time when clubs are being asked to meet increasingly demanding standards in governance, safeguarding, administration and delivery.
The county-by-county nature of the Volunteers in Sport Awards ensures that the recognition reaches deep into communities and across sporting codes.
Clubs, National Governing Bodies, Local Sports Partnerships and members of the public can submit nominations until December 9th at awards.irishsport.ie.
The Federation of Irish Sport, Dublin City, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, South Dublin and Fingal County Councils are all full members of the Sport for Business Community. If you would like to join them and see your organisation in our content, on our stages, and in the daily conversation around the commercial world of Irish Sport, email us today and let’s see what is possible.
Image Credit: Federation of Irish Sport
ABOUT SPORT FOR BUSINESS
Sport for Business is Ireland’s leading platform focused on the commercial, strategic and societal impact of sport. It connects decision-makers across governing bodies, clubs, brands, agencies, and public institutions through high-quality content, events, and insights.
Sport for Business explores how sport drives economic value, participation, inclusion and national identity, and how your story can be part of ours.
Through analysis, storytelling and convening the sector, it helps leaders understand trends, share best practices, and make better-informed decisions. It positions sport not just as entertainment but as a vital contributor to Ireland’s social and economic fabric.
Find out more about becoming a member today.
Or sign up for our Daily Sport for Business Snapshot email bulletins to get a flavour of the material we cover.
Sign up for our News Bulletins here.
