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Federation of Irish Sport Sport Industry Awards 2024

Irish Sport Industry Awards Announce 2026 Nominees

Our partners, The Federation of Irish Sport is thrilled to announce the shortlist of finalists for the much-anticipated 2026 Irish Sport Industry Awards. Set to take place on Tuesday, 19th May at the prestigious College Green Hotel in Dublin, this event promises to be an exciting evening celebrating the power and impact of sport across Ireland. Adding to the anticipation on the night will be the unveiling of three prestigious individual honours: the Outstanding Achievement & Contribution to Sport Award, the KPMG Women in Sport Award, and the Jimmy Magee (ASJI) Sports Coverage of the YearAward.

The Irish Sport Industry Awards 2026 will be a national platform where sport, diplomacy, and business converge — showcasing how Ireland can turn global sporting connections into real economic growth. Special guest speakers on the night include Minister for Sport and Postal Policy, Minister Charlie McConalogue TD and Minister for International Development and Diaspora, Minister Neale Richmond TD.

Now in its 9th year, the Irish Sport Industry Awards continue to recognise excellence across the sector, with 13 award categories shining a spotlight on innovation, collaboration, inclusivity, and sustainability. This year sees the introduction of two new categories: Best Initiative to Promote Sustainability in Sport, sponsored by MyWaste.ie, and Best Initiative to Promote Disability in Sport, sponsored by Sport Ireland, reflecting the growing importance of environmental responsibility and accessibility within Irish sport.

Mary O’Connor, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport said:

“The Federation is delighted to host the 9th annual Irish Sport Industry Awards, recognising and rewarding excellence in the business of sport and entrepreneurship and the immeasurable work being done by our National Governing Bodies in Sport and the National Network of Local Sports Partnerships. The continued growth of these awards, including the addition of new categories focused on sustainability and disability inclusion, reflects the evolving and positive impact of sport on Irish society. From health and education to social inclusion, tourism, and economic development, sport plays a vital role. These awards provide an important opportunity to celebrate the sector’s contribution, including the more than 64,000 people employed across Irish sport.”

Jill Downey, Chief Sponsorship & Sustainability Officer, Core and Chair of the Judging Panel reflected:

“My fellow judges and I were hugely impressed by the continued progression across Irish sport over the past year. The standard of entries reflected an industry embracing innovation, inclusivity, and long-term impact at every level. I’d like to sincerely thank the judging panel for their dedication throughout the process, as competition across many categories was exceptionally strong. It’s an exciting time for Irish sport, with real momentum and ambition driving the industry forward.”

Minister Charlie McConalogue TD, Minister for Sport and Postal Policy, FIS CEO Mary O’Connor and awards MC Broadcaster Sean O’Rourke, pictured at the 2025 awards

2026 Irish Sport Industry Awards – Finalists

 

Best Commercial Partnership in Sport sponsored by Dublin City Sport and Wellbeing Partnership

  • GAA and Irish Life Healthy Clubs Programme
  • LGFA and Lidl Ireland #SeriousSupport
  • FAI and Sky Bound by Belief
  • Athletics Ireland McCabes Pharmacy Fit For Life 

Best Use of Communications Platforms in Sport & Physical Activity sponsored by MWX Media Ltd.

  • Tennis Ireland Davis Cup & Irish Open
  • Badminton Ireland & Sport Narrative AIG VICTOR Irish Open
  • Basketball Ireland SpotLight Her
  • FAI League of Ireland “It’s a Way of Life”

Best Initiative to Promote Sustainability in Sport sponsored by MyWaste.ie

  • Golf Ireland Drive The Green
  • GAA Green Club Programme
  • Munster Rugby A Different Approach to Impact
  • Clare Local Development Company LEADER, SICAP and rural recreation

Best Initiative to Promote Disability in Sport & Physical Activity sponsored by Sport Ireland

  • Special Olympics Transforming Lives Through Sport
  • Kildare Local Sports Partnership The Kildare Inclusivity Festival
  • Swim Ireland Swim Access Project
  • Golf Ireland Golf4All 
  • Liquid therapy Making Waves Project

Best Initiative to Promote Diversity, Equality & Inclusion in Sport & Physical Activity

  • Laois Sports Partnership Outdoor Survivalist Camps
  • Irish Sailing Watersports Inclusion Games 
  • Virgin Media, PHD M& Diageo Ireland Audio Description (AD), Irish Sign Language (ISL), and inclusive production
  • Wicklow Sports & Recreation Partnership &Trail Criú Building Inclusive Communities Through Trail Running

Best Initiative to Promote Women in Sport & Physical Activity

  • Boxing Ireland LEAP Programme
  • Canoeing Ireland Bridging the Gap
  • Athletics Ireland Girls Squad Programme
  • Tennis Ireland Women in Tennis Programme
  • Longford Sports Partnership Roma Women CVICINES & SASTO – Sport & Health Inclusion Pilot

Best New Sports Business of the Year

  • Grow Sport
  • Anyscor
  • Colata
  • Sports Impact Technologies 

Best Sports Business of the Year

  • ForeFront group
  • FAI LOITV 
  • Torpey 
  • DB Sports

Local Sport Partnership of the Year

  • Meath Sports Partnership
  • Laois Sports Partnership
  • Longford Sports Partnership
  • Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Sports Partnership

National Governing Body of the Year sponsored by MarshE

  • Football Association of Ireland 
  • Golf Ireland
  • Athletics Ireland
  • Special Olympics Ireland

Individual Award Winners Announced on the Night:

  • Outstanding Achievement & Contribution to Sport Award, presented by the Federation of Irish Sport 
  • KPMG Women in Sport Award, sponsored by KPMG Ireland
  • Jimmy Magee Sports Coverage of the Year Award, in partnership with the Association of Sports Journalists in Ireland

 

Behind the Judging: Meet the Experts

  1. Jill Downey, Chief Sponsorship & Sustainability Officer, Core
  2. Rob Hartnett, Founder, CEO Sport for Business
  3. Shane Califf, Head of the Organisational Development & Change Unit, Sport Ireland
  4. Maeve Buckley, Director, Leading Sport
  5. Ronan McCormack, Group Marketing Manager, Dalata Group Hotel
  6. Brenda O’Donnell, CEO, Active Disability Ireland
  7. Tom Fox, Co-Founder of 53Six
  8. Catherine Tiernan, Commercial Director, Olympic Federation of Ireland
  9. Stephen Bradshaw, Head of Marketing, Close Brothers Motor Finance
  10. Ger McTavish, Disability in Sport Lead, Sport Ireland
  11. Ronan Donagher, Former Head of Games Systems
  12. Anne McCormack, General Manager Edmondstown GC, former CEO Hockey Ireland

 

 

For more on the Irish Sport Industry awards, contact: Clare Louise O’Donoghue, Head of Commercial and Marketing on 086 0437887 or at clarelouise.odonoghue@irishsport.ie. or visit www.irishsportindustryawards.ie

 

Irish Sport Industry Awards 2026 Launch

The Federation of Irish Sport proudly launched the 2026 Irish Sport Industry Awards. The awards will take place in Dublin on Tuesday 19th May and be hosted by broadcaster and journalist Sean O’Rourke. This will be the nineth staging of the awards which recognise the invaluable relationship between business and sport in Ireland. The Sport industry in Ireland supports 64,000 jobs, stimulates €3.3 billion in household spending, and generates €3.7 billion (GVA) gross value added to the Irish economy.

This year sees the addition of two new categories:

Best Initiative to Promote Disability in Sport and Physical Activity
This award is to recognise the support of lifelong participation for all in sport and physical activity. It is open to any organisation or enterprise either within the sport industry, or is using sport as a vehicle, which promotes increased inclusion, engagement and participation in sport and physical activity for those with a disability.

Best Initiative to Promote Sustainability in Sport and Physical Activity
This award shall recognise sporting bodies or businesses in the sport or physical activity sector who display a comprehensive strategy to promote sustainability in sport or physical activities to mitigate against environmental impact of their operations or participation of their members.


Mary O’Connor, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport said:

“The Irish Sport Industry Awards are an important platform for recognising our member National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships valuable contribution to sport through their initiatives, collaborations and commercial activations. While also spotlighting new and emerging sports tech enterprise innovations, many of whom have gone on to excel in international markets.”

Entries are now open for submission, for a full list of categories, event updates and to enter the awards go to: https://irishsportindustryawards.ie/. Closing date for entries is Thursday, 2nd April 2025.

 

Get in Touch

For more information, visit the Federation of Irish Sport’s website or contact Clare Louise O’Donoghue, Head of Commercial and Marketing on 086 0437887 or clarelouise.odonoghue@irishsport.ie 

2025 Volunteers in Sport Awards with the Federation of Irish Sport

Ireland Women’s International Footballer, Amber Barrett was on hand to lend her voice to the launch of the 2025 Volunteers in Sport Awards, a national celebration of the extraordinary individuals who contribute to the vibrant fabric of Irish sports.

Hosted by the Federation of Irish Sport and supported by the Sport Ireland National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships these prestigious awards recognise the selfless volunteers who dedicate their time, skills, and passion to support sports clubs and community organisations across Ireland.

The 2025 Volunteers in Sport Awards will bring together individuals from all 32 counties to celebrate their commitment to fostering participation and ensuring that sport is accessible to all. Their contributions not only inspire communities but also enable clubs and organisations to thrive, supporting social cohesion and well-being across Ireland. Without their dedication, many sporting opportunities simply would not exist.

A new addition to the 2025 awards is the launch of a brand-new award – the Club/Community Sport Organisation Award. This award recognises a volunteer led sports club, community organisation, or group that has made an outstanding contribution to promoting sport, physical activity, and community well-being. It celebrates excellence in inclusion, participation, leadership, and positive impact through sport.

In every corner of the country, from city centres and suburbs to rural villages, over 460,000 volunteers work tirelessly each week to bring sport and physical activity to life for people of all ages*. Over 250,000 coaches volunteer 1 million hours a week to Irish Sport**. The impact of their work is profound, providing multi-generational opportunities to engage in sport, build communities, and promote healthy lifestyles. The economic value of their contribution is estimated to be worth €1.5bn to the Irish economy***.

There are also two closed categories of Outstanding Achievement Award and the addition of a Lifetime Achievement Award. These prestigious awards are not open for public nomination. Recipients are selected by the Judging Panel from entries received from the County Volunteers, based on outstanding merit, impact, or long-term contribution.

Ambassador for the 2025 Awards Ireland Women’s International Footballer, Amber Barret commented:

“Volunteers are the unsung heroes of sport in Ireland. They are the ones who connect clubs with communities, who help kids to chase their dreams and fulfil their potential, who bring joy to families and who make a lasting difference in people’s lives. It’s fantastic to have these Awards to recognise those who make such a positive impact as Irish sport simply would not be the same without our volunteers.”

Mary O’Connor CEO Federation of Irish Sport said:

“The goodwill and work of volunteers cannot be taken for granted. These awards are our chance to say thank you and in acknowledging the incredible efforts volunteers make, ensure that we continue to encourage more people to get involved and safeguard the future of sport in the country”

 

A National Network of Support

Supporting the awards is the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships. Dún Laoghaire – Rathdown Sports Partnership Coordinator, Shane McArdle, remarked:

“This is the third year that the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships have come together to enthusiastically support the Federation of Irish Sports in hosting these important awards. In our work to promote participation all across the country, we see the immense value of volunteers in every club and across every sport. These awards provide a great opportunity for these clubs to recognise and celebrate these volunteers who make a difference in so many people’s lives. We encourage all clubs to nominate their invaluable champions.”

Nomination Process

Nominations for the 2025 Volunteers in Sport Awards are open from Tuesday, 11th November 2025, until Monday, 15th December 2025. Members of the public are encouraged to nominate deserving volunteers from their club or sporting organisation who have made a significant contribution or impact to their local club or community.

 

For more information and to submit a nomination, visit www.volunteersinsport.ie  or for further queries contact Clare Louise O’Donoghue, Head of Commercial & Marketing, Federation of Irish Sport:

Mobile: 086 0437887,  Email: clarelouise.odonoghue@irishsport.ie

 

*Sport Ireland – Irish Sports Monitor 2023
** Sport Ireland – Spotlight on Coaching Report 2024
*** Sport Ireland – Economic Value of Sport Report 2021

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