The shortlist of nominees for the six open categories of the Irish Sport Industry Awards, in association with Clubforce have been announced today. The remaining four closed categories will be revealed at the awards ceremony at Dublin’s Westin Hotel on Tuesday next, 17th May.
The Sport industry in Ireland supports 64,000 jobs, stimulates €3.3 billion in household spending, and generates €3.7 billion gross value added (GVA) to the Irish economy. This year’s event will be the fifth staging of the Awards which recognise and celebrate that value of sport to society and reward excellence in the business of sport.
The 10 award categories celebrate a cross section of organisations, people and capabilities that fuel and drive the management, funding, and sustainability of sport in Ireland. For the full list of nominees see below.
Tuesday’s event will be attended by an audience of invited guests from across the sports sector with Minister Jack Chambers TD, Minister for State for Sport and the Gaeltacht delivering the keynote address.
The Judging Panel for the 2022 awards chaired by Rob Hartnett, Founder and CEO of Sport for Business comprises members of the sports sector from media, business, PR, and local and national representative bodies.
Mary O’Connor, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport said, “We are delighted to mark the return of the Irish Sport Industry Awards, in association with Clubforce. Sport is an integral part of the country’s social and economic fabric. The quality and large number of the entries received this year are testament to this. We are really looking forward to bringing together key stakeholders in the sports sector for this important evening of recognition in the value of sport to the Irish economy.”
“I would like to say a big thank you to the national governing bodies, local sports partnerships and those in the sports sector that submitted entries this year. It was imperative for the Federation of Irish Sport to reinstate these awards following the lifting of restrictions and a very difficult two years for the sector.”
Rob Hartnett, Chair Judging Panel, CEO and Founder Sport for Business said: “The ability to pause, reflect on and celebrate work well done is often overlooked in the rush to be always looking at the next thing. The Irish Sport Industry Awards give us reason to do that and the response this year was magnificent.”
“We have come through so many challenges since last we sought nominations, but this is proof positive that we met them with vigour and style. Judging one winner among so many deserving organisations and campaigns has been incredibly hard, but the judges put in a huge amount of thought and effort to get it right, or at least as right as we think. Congratulations to all the winner but also to those who entered. Your work has had an impact in a very positive way.”
Shortlist of Open Category Nominees
Best Sports Sponsorship
- SPAR Kellie Harrington Partnership
- Energia All Ireland League Sponsorship
- Sky Ireland and FAI Women’s National Team
- AIG Effort is Equal Sponsorship Portfolio
- Indeed Ireland Partnership with Team Ireland Tokyo 2020 Games
- Gala Retail Special Olympics Partnership
Best use of Communications Platform in Sport
- IRFU and TikTok
- AIG Show Your Skills campaign
- Gymnastics Ireland Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games social media campaign
- Her Sport media platform dedicated to women in sport
- Paralympics Ireland Team Ireland at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games
- Football Association of Ireland No Ref. No Game. Campaign
Best Initiative to Promote Women in Sport & Physical Activity
- Rowing Ireland Women on the Water Programme
- Swim Ireland Women in Sport Leadership Programme
- Athletics Ireland Forerunners Programme
- Banbridge Rugby Football Club Development of women and girls’ rugby
- Irish Wheelchair Association 4-year Women in Sport Strategy
- Ladies Gaelic Football Association Learn to Lead Programme
Inclusivity in Sport & Physical Activity
- GAA Inclusivity Framework
- Sporting Pride Learn to Swim Programme
- Football Association of Ireland Football for All Programme
- The Sanctuary Runners inclusive running community
- Basketball Ireland implementation of Cara Xcessible initiative
- Donegal Sports Partnership Donegal Bay Inclusive Sports Hub
Local Sports Partnership of the Year
- Clare Local Sports Partnership
- Dublin City Sport & Wellbeing Partnership
- Laois Sports Partnership
- Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership
- Longford Sports Partnership
- Donegal Sports Partnership
National Governing Body of the Year
- Vision Sports Ireland
- Canoeing Ireland
- Special Olympics Ireland
- Badminton Ireland
- Irish Sailing Association
- Volleyball Ireland
Closed Categories to be announced
Best New Sports Business of the year
Best Sports Business of the year
The Jimmy Magee Award for Sports Journalist of the year
Outstanding Achievement for Contribution to Irish Sport Award
For more details on our Judging Panel please go to the Judges page of the website https://irishsportindustryawards.ie/judges/