Mullingar Woman Named Volunteer In Sport Winner 2024

Well done

The Federation of Irish Sport proudly announces the recipients of the 2024 Volunteers in Sport Awards, recognising 35 outstanding volunteers from every county in Ireland (four in Dublin) for their tireless dedication to sport and physical activity in their local communities. These inspiring individuals will be celebrated at a special ceremony on Friday, 28th February 2025, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown. The prestigious Outstanding Achievement Award, which highlights one individual’s extraordinary contribution to Irish sport will be revealed on the day.

Westmeath Winner

Championing Inclusion and Youth Development in Westmeath

Aoife McCarthy’s work at her local club Mullingar Handball Club has been nothing short of groundbreaking.

As the first-ever lady Chairperson and youngest in the club’s history, Aoife has led the club’s refurbishment and overseen the quadrupling of membership in just two years.

Aoife has also co-founded the All Stars inclusion programme, which secured a National Lottery Good Causes Award.

The programme has made a significant impact, with 70% of neurodivergent participants transitioning to mainstream training.

Aoife’s dedication to inclusivity extends beyond administration, as she continues to coach the youth and manage the club’s first-ever All Ireland Feile teams, where both the boys’ and girls’ teams secured titles in 2024.

Her vision and leadership have made the club a more inclusive and successful place for all members.

A Nation of Sporting Volunteers

Every week, 460,000 volunteers generously dedicate their time to support 1.47 million club members across Ireland, keeping local communities active, engaged, and connected. From coaching youth teams to managing operations and promoting child safety, these volunteers form the backbone of Irish sport, making an extraordinary impact at the grassroots level.

Honouring Volunteers Who Keep Irish Sport Thriving

Throughout November and December 2024, the Federation of Irish Sport called on the public, sports clubs, Local Sports Partnerships and National Governing Bodies in Sport to nominate volunteers whose contributions have made a meaningful difference. This year’s awards saw a record number of nominations from over 53 sporting disciplines, reflecting the incredible diversity of volunteering in Ireland.

Speaking about the importance of the awards, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport, Mary O’Connor said: “The Federation of Irish Sport is proud to celebrate our volunteers in sport and to pay tribute to these incredible individuals who give their time and energy to enrich Irish sport and strengthen communities. These awards are a vital nationwide recognition of the scale of volunteering that is required every week to support 1.47 million club members around the country.”

Sport Ireland CEO Dr Úna May said: “Volunteers are the lifeblood of Irish sport, driving participation across all disciplines. Sport Ireland research reveals unprecedented levels of engagement, with nearly two million adults participating in sport weekly. That’s a real testament to the tireless efforts of volunteers. They don’t merely contribute – they transform aspirations into achievements, making sport accessible and enjoyable for all. We all owe them a debt of gratitude and we’re happy to play our part in recognising their dedication.”

Head of Louth Sports Partnership, representative of the Sport Ireland National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships and member of the judging panel, Graham Russell said: “The Volunteers in Sport Awards is a unique opportunity for the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships each year to collectively celebrate the terrific work being done in every county in Ireland to drive greater and more inclusive participation in sport and physical activity. The National Network of Local Sports Partnerships work closely with volunteers in the community and see the impact they have at grass roots level and in breaking down boundaries to participation. We are proud to champion the unsung heroes of sport.” 

#DedicatedtotheDedicated

FULL LIST OF 2024 VOLUNTEERS IN SPORT AWARDS COUNTY RECIPIENTS