Dec 12, 2022
‘Give the gift of nominating a standout volunteer in your club’
12th December 2022: The Federation of Irish Sport today announced the launch of the 2022 Volunteers in Sports Awards. The county awards will return to an in-person awards ceremony, recognising the army of volunteers who make sport happen in communities, in every county across the country. Nominations are now open at www.volunteersinsport.ie. The awards are #DedicatedtotheDedicated.
The 2022 awards will be celebrated in the Greater Dublin Area at the beginning of March 2023. Nominations are open from Monday 12th December via the dedicated awards website. Entries will close on the 25th January 2023. Nominations received will be shortlisted and put forward for consideration by the Judging Panel. Winners are chosen on a county basis, with 32 award recipients and one overall Outstanding Volunteer Award.
Volunteers are the cornerstone of sporting activities in clubs and communities nationwide. Unpaid, they give freely of their time, energy and are dedicated to the development of their chosen sport. Over 450,000 volunteers are needed on a weekly basis to run club activities, giving on average 3½ hours per week. The estimated economic value of volunteering in sport and physical activity is worth €1.5bn. Without them sports clubs would not exist.
Commenting on the announcement Minister of State for Sport and the Gaeltacht, Jack Chambers, TD said, “It’s an honour to be part of the launch of these national awards, recognising the many volunteers who are the backbone of local sports clubs in every community across the country. They are responsible for making sure weekly training sessions take place, managing teams, organising inter-club matches, ensuring pitches, courts and clubhouses are kept operational most importantly bringing communities together through sport. Last year’s winners represented a wide variety of sports and all ages of volunteers. I would encourage all club members to reflect on who they know in their club that has made a difference and had a positive impact in their community through their dedication to their sport.”
Mary O’Connor, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport said, “I am delighted to launch the return of the Volunteers in Sport Industry Awards. While the awards were successfully hosted online for the last two years due to the pandemic, nothing beats the warmth and connectivity of gathering in-person to recognise the selfless work being done by volunteers behind the scenes at clubs and sporting organisations. There is a strong sense of volunteerism in sport in Ireland. We had been on track to reach the 2027 target of 55% for social participation, club membership or attendance at a sporting event. However, Covid has impacted this and we need to encourage more participation and volunteering to get back on track to reach this target. Shining a light on our volunteers in sport is a way to recognise and remind people of the invaluable role they play in society.”
Also present at the launch the of the awards was the 2020 Co. Kildare recipient Tom Egan of Salmon Leap Canoe Club and his daughter Irish Canoeist Jenny Egan a multiple World Championship and European Medallist and Multiple World Cup Medallist and currently ranked World No. 1.
To keep up to date with all the latest announcements visit www.volunteersinsport.ie and follow @iresport on twitter and on LinkedIn
#DedicatedtoheDedicated
Feb 14, 2022
‘THE PANDEMIC WAS A GAME CHANGER. HOW DOES THE SPORTS SECTOR PLAY THE GAME NOW?’
- Raelene Castle, CEO of Sport New Zealand will deliver the international keynote address to the Federation of Irish Sport members at their upcoming online member CEO Forum.
- Celebrating 20 years in 2022, the Federation of Irish Sport will also feature a panel of experts from the UK & Ireland to discuss the important economic value of Sport in Ireland.
- Other special guest speakers to be announced.

Raelene Castle, CEO of Sport New Zealand
The Federation of Irish Sport are delighted to host Raelene Castle, CEO of Sport New Zealand as part of the upcoming member CEO Forum to be held on March 1st. Prior to joining Sport New Zealand in 2020, Raelene spent seven years working in Australia as Chief Executive of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and then Chief Executive of Rugby Australia. She was previously Chief Executive of Netball New Zealand from 2007 to 2013. She has held several governance roles in sport, previously serving as a board director of the ANZ Championship Netball, International Federations of Netball Associations, SANZAAR Rugby and the World Rugby Council. Raelene was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in 2015 for services to Business and Sport.
Speaking about the upcoming online member CEO Forum, Federation CEO Mary O’Connor said, ‘We are delighted to host Raelene Castle as part of our online member CEO forum. We are looking forward to hearing Raelene’s insights on:
- State of the nation New Zealand and Covid19
- Health and GDP – background and research
- Sport NZ’s Towards 2032 Strategic Direction document & Strategic Plans for the period 2020-24
- The Living Standards Framework, a whole of Government view focused on inter-generational outcomes
Hosted by broadcaster Gráinne McElwain, the 2022 member CEO Forum, ‘The Pandemic was Game Changer. How does the Sports Sector Play the Game Now?’ is exclusively for member CEO’s, LSP co-ordinators and member Chairpersons and invited guests. There will be expert insights on the national importance of sport and physical activity.
Details of special guest speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.
Member CEO Forum 20th Anniversary
Federation of Irish Sport Background
Established in 2002 by the National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) and Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs), the Federation of Irish Sport currently represents over 110 NGBs and LSPs, consisting of over 13,500 sports clubs nationwide. As the Voice of Irish Sport, our role is to speak on behalf of our members and represent their views to the public, while also providing them with a range of services.
Over the last 20 years as the membership has steadily grown, the Federation has seen it’s role evolve along with the importance of sport and physical activity in society. New services to members have included the provision of Garda Vetting services, creation of the Sports Disputes Solutions Ireland (SDSI), annual Pre-Budget Submissions, regular Oireachtas Committee representation, support of the 20X20 campaign, representation on the National Sports Policy Leadership Group and the newly created Board Recruitment Service for members.
The Federation continues to communicate the benefits of sport in areas such as personal health/wellbeing, the economy and society as a whole and champion the work of the 450,000 people who volunteer for sport and physical activity in Ireland on a weekly basis that has a value of €1.5 billion to the exchequer.
Feb 26, 2020
The Federation of Irish Sport have launched their plan for the organisation for the next three years which includes their mission to be an authoritative and independent voice for Irish sport. The plan, developed in consultation with the Federation of Irish Sport board, member base and staff, highlights the key goals and actions that will see the organisation through an exciting three years as an umbrella body for 108 sporting organisations.
Federation of Irish Sport CEO Mary O’Connor said, “The launch of our new strategic plan solidifies our vision for sport in Ireland and showcases the effective actions we will take to help sport and physical activity achieve all it can over the next three years. Furthermore, the goals outlined for the organisation itself will assist us in continuing to deliver quality representation and service to all our member organisations. The plan is a significant positive step for all at the Federation, our members and key stakeholders as we move into the next phase of our own development”.
Speaking at the launch of the plan, Federation Chairperson Roddy Guiney explained, “the landscape of sport and physical activity has changed substantially since the Federation’s last strategic plan in 2014. The introduction of the National Sports Policy by government in 2018 was a considerable step forward for the sector and the Federation is committed to ensuring its implementation as one of our key strategic priorities for the next three years. While the landscape changes, our own mission and values remain largely the same as we continue to strive to be an independent voice for Irish sport”.
The Federation will continue to focus on representing its members and lobbying government on their behalf. As part of this work the Federation strives to showcase the many reasons that sport and physical activity matter to Irish society – from health to social inclusion to economic return through campaign led communications and centrepiece events throughout the year.
In summary, the plan details the Federation’s three key goals as
1) successful implementation of the national sports policy
2) enhance the operational capacity of members through support services
3) represent members effectively.
Read the plan in full here
The Federation of Irish Sport have launched their plan for the organisation for the next three years which includes their mission to be an authoritative and independent voice for Irish sport. The plan, developed in consultation with the Federation of Irish Sport board, member base and staff, highlights the key goals and actions that will see the organisation through an exciting three years as an umbrella body for 108 sporting organisations.
Federation of Irish Sport CEO Mary O’Connor said, “The launch of our new strategic plan solidifies our vision for sport in Ireland and showcases the effective actions we will take to help sport and physical activity achieve all it can over the next three years. Furthermore, the goals outlined for the organisation itself will assist us in continuing to deliver quality representation and service to all our member organisations. The plan is a significant positive step for all at the Federation, our members and key stakeholders as we move into the next phase of our own development”.
Speaking at the launch of the plan, Federation Chairperson Roddy Guiney explained, “the landscape of sport and physical activity has changed substantially since the Federation’s last strategic plan in 2014. The introduction of the National Sports Policy by government in 2018 was a considerable step forward for the sector and the Federation is committed to ensuring its implementation as one of our key strategic priorities for the next three years. While the landscape changes, our own mission and values remain largely the same as we continue to strive to be an independent voice for Irish sport”.
The Federation will continue to focus on representing its members and lobbying government on their behalf. As part of this work the Federation strives to showcase the many reasons that sport and physical activity matter to Irish society – from health to social inclusion to economic return through campaign led communications and centrepiece events throughout the year.
In summary, the plan details the Federation’s three key goals as
1) successful implementation of the national sports policy
2) enhance the operational capacity of members through support services
3) represent members effectively.
Read the plan in full here FIS Strategic Plan
Background:
The Federation of Irish Sport is the representative organisation for the National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) and the Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) in Ireland. The Federation’s membership consists of over 100 NGBs and LSPs from all 32 counties, including the GAA, FAI, IRFU, Swim Ireland, and Athletics Ireland.
The Federation last launched a strategic plan in 2014 and developed the most recent plan throughout 2019 in consultation with members and stakeholders.
Recent work of the Federation including General Election 2020 activity and the 2019 Investec Economic Research report commissioned by the Federation can be found at
https://www.irishsport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Federation-of-Irish-Sport-General-Election-2020-Manifesto-Sport-Matters.pdf
https://www.irishsport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Investec_ONLINE_VERSION_v3.pdf
ENDS
For further information contact sinead.conroy@irishsport.ie or call 01 6251155
Jan 30, 2020
Men 3rd place EuroHockey Indoor Championships III
The Irish Men had a successful return to the EuroHockey Indoor Championships in Santander earlier this month having not taken part in an international tournament since 1987. A tie to Wales in the opening match was followed by losses to both Scotland and Spain, however a strong showing against Slovenia granted the Irish side a bronze medal play off.
With Wales leading 1 – 0 from 7 minutes, Jackson and Canning put one each in the goal in the final minutes of the game to claim bronze in the first international tournament for the side in over 30 years.

Women Finish 2nd at EuroHockey Indoor Championships III
Following the success of the Irish Men’s Indoor team earlier this month, the Irish Women were also on form in Bratislava as they too returned to international tournaments with the EuroHockey Indoor Championships III.
The squad had an impressive record of 5 wins from 6 matches, with tournament winners Spain the only team to best the Irish side. With several players receiving their first international caps at this tournament, the squad also achieved promotion to next year’s EuroHockey Championships II.