The Federation of Irish Sport will today celebrate the backbone of Irish sport as 36 outstanding individuals — one from every county, including four from Dublin — are honoured at the 2025 Volunteers in Sport Awards.
Volunteers from within Gaelic Games will receive nine awards, Football will receive six, Athletics five, Basketball and Boxing three each, Rowing and Swimming two each, while there will also be recognition for volunteers from Cricket, Rugby, Badminton, Special olympics, American Football, Pitch and Putt and Pickleball.
Supported by the Sport Ireland National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships, the awards recognise exceptional volunteers whose dedication sustains clubs, strengthens communities and keeps hundreds of thousands of people active each week.
The ceremony will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Blanchardstown, with Minister for Sport & Postal Policy Charlie McConalogue TD delivering the keynote address.
The Backbone of Irish Sport
Volunteers remain fundamental to the operation and growth of sport across Ireland. Each week, an estimated 460,000 volunteers give their time to support 1.47 million club members nationwide. From coaching and officiating to administration, safeguarding and inclusion initiatives, their contribution touches every level of the sporting ecosystem.
According to research referenced by Sport Ireland, more than 268,000 people are involved in coaching alone — the vast majority in a voluntary capacity, many working with children and young people.
Mary O’Connor, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport, said the awards are an important opportunity to recognise the scale and economic value of that contribution.
“The Federation of Irish Sport is delighted to honour the extraordinary volunteers who dedicate their time, passion and energy to supporting sport and physical activity across Ireland,” she said. “Their commitment not only enriches Irish sport but also strengthens communities nationwide. Their dedication is worth €1.5 billion to the Irish economy each year.”
Record Nominations and New Categories
This year’s awards attracted a record number of nominations spanning more than 49 sporting disciplines, underlining the diversity and vibrancy of volunteering across Ireland.
For 2025, two new categories have been introduced to reflect the breadth and longevity of volunteer service.
An inaugural Club/Community Award, in association with Clann Credo, will recognise the collective impact of volunteer-led groups supporting sport and physical activity. One club from each province will ultimately be acknowledged, with recipients to be announced in the coming weeks.
A new Lifetime Achievement Award will also be presented, honouring an individual whose years of sustained service have left a lasting mark on Irish sport.
The ceremony will culminate in the presentation of the Outstanding Achievement Award, recognising one volunteer whose contribution has been deemed truly exceptional.
Celebrating Grassroots Impact
The awards are delivered in partnership with the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships, reflecting a coordinated national effort to celebrate grassroots leadership.
Dr Úna May, CEO of Sport Ireland, highlighted the broader societal impact of volunteerism.
“Volunteers are the driving force behind sport in Ireland. Their contribution helps sustain clubs and communities,” she said. “But of course, volunteers do far more than just support sport; they strengthen communities, foster belonging and make participation possible.”
“The awards are a celebration of the grassroots activities and spirit of volunteerism that is the backbone driving sport and physical activity in our communities,” added Shane McArdle, Coordinator of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Sports Partnership and a member of the adjudication panel.
Image Credit: Federation of Irish Sport
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