Local Sports Volunteers Honoured

A number of local sports volunteers are to be honoured at the virtual 2020 Federation of Irish Sport Volunteers in Sport Awards.

The award recognises the work of a sport volunteer in each county in Ireland with the Cavan award going to Philip Galligan of St. Patrick’s Arva GAA Club, in Monaghan the award went to Adam Grimes of Killanny Gearldines GFC.

The Volunteers in Sport Awards were created to champion the contribution, commitment and dedication of the army of 450,000 volunteers across the country who go above and beyond by giving their time to Irish sport and physical activity each year.  These volunteers dedicate some 37.2 million hours of volunteering across the country’s 13,000+ sports clubs and associations every year.

Towards the end of 2020, members of the public, as well as sports clubs and governing bodies were invited to nominate an individual whose contributions to sport has made a real difference to their community, club or county. The nominations and award recipients were selected by a judging panel consisting of 11 individuals drawn from sports administration, the volunteer community and media, including former Director General of the GAA, Paraic Duffy, RTÉ broadcaster, Marie Crowe and CEO of CARA, Niamh Daffy.

In addition to the 32 county-level award winners, basketball stalwart, Anne McHale, of Ballina Braves Boys BC in Mayo, received the overall Outstanding Achievement Award for the many years of tireless service she has given to the sport and the club in Co. Mayo.

Olympian Pat Hooper (RIP) was also honoured with a Special Recognition award for his dedication to the sport of athletics. He was a decorated athlete before becoming a dedicated and exceptional coach. His untimely passing in 2020 was felt by the entire athletics community.

Daingean GAA (Offaly) has also received a Special Recognition award for their commitment to their community during Covid-19. The group went above and beyond to assist their community and came together to support the most vulnerable members through these challenging times.

“Sport plays a central role in the social fabric of every community in Ireland, yet it would not happen at all without the army of volunteers who dedicate their time and expertise across pitches, courts, tracks, pools and community halls across the country” said CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport, Mary O’Connor.

“This year, more than ever before, we have seen just how essential the role of the volunteer is in our local communities and to this end, it will be an honour to be able to recognise so many of these volunteers at this week’s virtual Volunteers in Sport awards

“I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to all of this year’s recipients, and also thank EBS for their amazing support in bringing the awards – and wider recognition – of volunteers in sport in Ireland to life.”

The awards will be streamed live each evening from 7pm on the Federation of Irish Sport’s Facebook page with the awards schedule listed below:

• Tuesday, January 12th: Leinster and Special Recognition Award
• Wednesday, January 13th: Munster, Connacht and Special Recognition Award
• Thursday, January 14th: Ulster and Outstanding Achievement Award

Full list of winners for the 2020 Federation of Irish Sport Volunteer in Sport awards proudly supported by EBS: