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 were celebrated celebrated at a special ceremony on Friday, 28th February 2025, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown.
Among the recipients of the awards were Monkstown Hockey Club’s Ruby Morrow, and Carlow Hockey Club’s Justine Collins.
Ruby Morrow is the beating heart of Monkstown Hockey Club. A life member, Ruby has been involved since she started bringing her sons to training 27 years ago and has acted as Match Secretary since 1999, overseeing the the operation of 12 men’s and women’s teams. When Monkstown’s Men’s 1st team joined the Irish Hockey League, Ruby took on the task of cooking post-match meals for the Monkstown and visiting player, and stepped in as team manager when teams were on the verge of folding. Ruby also served as a Leinster Children’s Officer, helping to develop the organisations’ child protection policies.
Justine Collins as been the heart of Carlow Hockey Club for over 30 years, helping to grow the club from a single women’s team to a thriving junior and senior section. Justine also played a vital role in helping the club secure their very own hockey pitch in 2024. Justine efforts go beyond administration, she also dedicates her time as a Club Development Officer, Junior Fixture Co-Ordinator, Boys Hockey Coach, Umpire Development Officer and umpire.
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.”
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.