TERMS & CONDITIONS
Definitions
Awards – means the Federation of Irish Sport, Irish Sports Industry Awards.
Entrant – means the Federation of Irish Sport Member organisation, Individuals and Businesses that has submitted an entry in accordance with these Terms and Conditions and the entry requirements.
Entry – means the completed and submitted application, using the correct systems and procedures, in in accordance with these Terms and Conditions and the entry requirements.
Organiser – means The Federation of Irish Sport
1. General
1.1 Entrants to the Awards and the Attendees will be deemed to have read and understood the Terms and Conditions.
1.2 The Awards recognises the best in Commercial, Communications, Women in Sport, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Local Sports Partnerships, National Governing Bodies, new Sports Business, existing Sports Business, Sport Journalist of the year and an overall Outstanding Achievement in Sport.
1.3 Application for the Awards must be submitted online through our online form. Hard copies will not be accepted.
1.4 To begin the process, the Entrant is required to follow the Organiser’s step by step process, completing the relevant information necessary for Entry to the Awards as provided on the Website.
1.5 Amendments cannot be made once an Entry has been submitted. If the Entrant has any concerns regarding the information submitted, they should contact the Organiser directly.
1.6 All member organisations of the Federation of Irish Sport are eligible to enter the awards. FIS member organisations can also apply on behalf of their own members.
1.7 The Organiser does not accept any responsibility for Entries that are lost, damaged, or delayed due to technical errors. For the avoidance of doubt, proof of transmission of a lost or delayed Entry for the Awards will not be accepted as a valid or alternative Entry. The Organiser will email a receipt of all successfully logged Entries.
1.8 The Organiser reserves the right to reject any Entry in its sole discretion and will reject incomplete Entries.
1.9 It is the Entrant’s responsibility to ensure that they satisfy all Entry criteria as outlined on the online entry form for the relevant category before submitting their Entry into the Awards, any failure to do so will result in the Entry being rejected. 2
1.10 The Organiser reserves the right to audit any information supplied and automatically disqualify any Entries from the Awards that include false or misleading information.
1.11 Entries must be submitted by the final deadline 16th April 2025. NOTE: CLOSING DATE EXTENED UNTIL TUESDAY 22ND APRIL AT 1:00PM.
1.12 Any Entries received after this time will not be entered into the Awards.
1.13 Entry deadlines may be extended at the discretion of the Federation.
1.14 It is the responsibility of the Entrant to obtain client or their member approval prior to submission, if required.
1.15 Supporting documents are for judging purposes only.
1.16 The project must have been live during 2024. Projects that commenced before 2024, but were still delivered during 2024 are eligible.
1.17 The applicant indemnifies, and agrees to keep indemnified, the organisers of the Irish Sports Industry Awards for any claims arising out of any material, statements or claims made as part of their entry.
2.1 Nominations are open in the following categories:
2. Categories
1. Best Sports Commercial Partnership in Sport
DESCRIPTION Entries for this category should be submitted by a member organisation of the Federation of Irish Sport (i.e. the stakeholder) which utilises a commercial partnership(s) and activations, where relevant to drive forward the reach of their sport, promote shared values and achieve business objectives. This can be a joint entry with the support/contribution of the commercial partner or promotional agency.
JUDGING CRITERIA – Evidence that the partnership has created and maximised engagement with its own audience and that of the commercial partner. – Differentiation from their competitors. – Demonstrate measurable impact for the sporting organisation, the commercial partner, and its consumers.
2. Best Use of Communications Platforms in Sport
DESCRIPTION To be entered by a member organisation of the Federation of Irish Sport which has sport and physical activity at the heart of its digital content. This award is to recognise innovative and clever use of communications platforms to stand out from the digital crowd. This entry can be supported by PR/activation agency. 3
JUDGING CRITERIA – Evidence that the member organisation has created its own audience, forming a digital community of sport fans in the process – Differentiation from their competitors, delivery of a standout campaign. – Demonstrate measurable impact for the member organisation, their partners, and its consumers. – Digital community is present/managed in Ireland or was created in Ireland. However, information submitted does not necessarily have to relate to work undertaken within Ireland.
3. Best Initiative to Promote Women in Sport & Physical Activity
DESCRIPTION This category is to recognise those who champion Irish females in sport and physical activity at any le. This award is for an individual, organisation or a group who have demonstrated continued commitment to growing women’s participation (players, officials, administrators) and made an impact either locally or nationally.
JUDGING CRITERIA – Evidence of commitment to growing female participation in their chosen sport or physical activity. – Evidence of sustainable growth in female participation within the club/team. – Demonstrate long term vision with regard to increasing female participation in any form – umpire, referee, coach, athlete, participant, administrator.
4. Best Initiative to Promote Inclusivity in Sport & Physical Activity
DESCRIPTION Open to any organisation or enterprise either within the sport industry, or is using sport as a vehicle, which promotes the diversity and inclusion agenda to improve business performance and/or increased engagement and participation in sport and physical activity. This award can be entered by agencies, brands, broadcasters, events, governing bodies, local sports partnership leagues, rights holders, teams, venues and more, for internal or external-facing work.
JUDGING CRITERIA Prioritise diversity and inclusion through their own programmes or as part of external projects.
Understanding that new ideas, creativity, innovation, and success come by including different perspectives and experiences.
Demonstrate how diversity, equity and inclusion has played a key role in a number of ways such as, but not limited to, events, governance, or campaigns.
Delivery of content that targets and engages with the designated target audience.
Impact on the organisation’s workforce, impact on the organisation’s consumers and/or the sport it serves, or sport as a whole via campaign/movement-led work.
5. Local Sports Partnership of the Year
DESCRIPTION This award shall recognise the Local Sports Partnership which has shown the most initiative in promoting sport and physical activity and/or community engagement.
JUDGING CRITERIA – Evidence that the initiative addressed a need, solved a problem, and/or seized an opportunity. – Evidence of an effective communication strategy around the initiative. – Overall impact the initiative had/will have on the community. – Effective use and adherence to budget.
-Expansion of programme of initiatives.
-Introduction of innovative new campaigns or events.
6. Governing Body of the Year
DESCRIPTION This award shall recognise the National Governing Body that has demonstrated a commitment to increasing participation in sport and physical activity, promoting diversity, equity, and shown commitment to creating the right governance culture.
JUDGING CRITERIA – Evidence of progress on the sporting front. – Evidence of carrying out successful campaigns. – Evidence of good governance. – Evidence of contributing to the promotion of sport as a whole and its benefits in Ireland.
Size of organisation.
7. Best New Sports Business of the Year
DESCRIPTION
This award shall recognise potential and sustained excellence by a new sport business on the island of Ireland, less than 3 years’ operating that has delivered innovation, growth and leadership in the industry by creating a product or service which is truly original, pushing boundaries and addressing a gap in the market.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Evidence of commitment to innovation and continuous investment and expansion that has delivered growth in revenue, operating income, employment, and/or overall performance.
Demonstrate engagement with and impact on the sport sector.
Overall performance and development of the business over a short period of time or less than three years.
Demonstrate long-term vision with regard to sustainable business growth and job creation.
However, information submitted does not necessarily have to relate to work undertaken within Ireland.
8. Best Sports Business of the Year
DESCRIPTION
This award shall recognise sustained excellence by an established sport business of more than three years on the island of Ireland that has delivered innovation, growth, and leadership in the industry by creating a product or service which is truly original, pushing boundaries and addressing a gap in the market. The services or products provided do not have to be exclusively delivered in Ireland.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Evidence of commitment to innovation and continuous investment and expansion that has delivered growth in revenue, operating income, employment, and/or overall performance.
Demonstrate engagement with and impact on the sport sector.
Overall performance and development of the business over a short period of time.
Trading more than 3 years.
Demonstrate long-term vision with regard to sustainable business growth and job creation.
However, information submitted does not necessarily have to relate to work undertaken within Ireland.
9. KPMG Women in Sport
About this category The Women in Sport category is to reward and recognise sustained excellence by a female professional working in either a business role related to sport, in sports administration or delivery of delivery of professional services in sport including but not exclusively areas such as: research, high performance, enterprise, public relations on the island of Ireland that has delivered innovation, growth, leadership or standout services in the industry.
Entry open to members and non-members of the Federation of Irish Sport.
Judging criteria
Entries should demonstrate how the nominee has, as a standout performer shown significant achievement in the advancement and/or promotion of Sport and physical activity, be it through creation of or implementation of a new innovation, use of technology, campaign conceptualisation, sustained excellence in delivery of services resulting in a step change in sport.
The format of this entry will be a written submission of 500 words max as to why this candidate should be recognised for their role in the promotion and/or advancement of sport.
JUDGING CRITERIA:
Impact of service, Length of service, Proven innovation, Roles/positions held (incl. voluntary)
Closed Categories (not for public nomination)
10. Jimmy Magee Award for Sports Coverage of the Year presented by the Association of Sports Journalists of Ireland.
11. Outstanding Contribution/Achievement Award by an individual to Irish Sport.
3. Judging Panel
3.1 By entering the Awards, the Entrants agree to allow the details of their Entry to be shared with the Judges and the Organiser and any third parties associated with the Awards.
3.2 The entries will be judged by panel of selected Judges appointed by the Organiser.
3.3 The Organiser will organise, select, and manage the Judges, who will be instructed to act without bias.
3.4 All judging discussions are confidential and will not be shared or discussed with anyone outside the judging panel ahead of the Award Ceremony of thereafter.
3.5 Once entries close all submissions will be reviewed and shortlisted by a Sub Committee.
3.6 The shortlisted entries will be uploaded to judge’s portal for review.
3.7 An in-person adjudication day will take place on Thursday 8th May.
3.8 The Judges’ decision is final. No correspondence or discussion will be entered, or feedback given regarding the selection of Award Finalists or Award Winners and there shall be no appeal process.
3.9 The Award Finalists will be notified in writing by email and/or Website on the shortlist announcement date.
3.10 The Award Winners will be notified at the Award Ceremony.
3.11 There will be one Award Winner in each category.
3.12 The applicant agrees that the organisers of the awards are entitled to judge their entry and select what they consider to be the winner in a given category without recourse to the applicants.
3.13 Organisers reserve the right not to award a category at its own discretion and without recourse to the applicants of said category.
3.14 The Irish Sport Industry Awards reserve the right to nominate the applicant in additional categories that the organisers feel appropriate.
3.15 The person named on the entry form will be the used as the point of contact by the Irish Sport Industry Awards.
3.16 If the name of the nominated contact person changes, the Irish Sport Industry Awards must be contacted immediately.
3.17 Shortlisted applicants may be required to provide additional information upon request from the Irish Sport Industry Awards.
3.18 Entries will be judged by a panel of judges as per the criteria listed for each category.
3.19 Organisations can enter as many categories as they like.
3.20 Sponsors cannot enter the category they are sponsoring.
3.21 A second award can be ordered by the agency should they joint submit cost at their end.
3.22 The winners of the awards may state in advertising, promotional material and on their stationery that they are a winner, but this must make it clear which category and the year in which they won.
3.23 The Irish Sport Industry Awards and all its Intellectual Property remains the sole copyright the Federation and is a solely owned trading entity of Irish Sport Matters limited all rights reserved.
4. Attendance at the Award Ceremony
4.1 If there are any specific requirements due to disability, food allergies or for any other reason please email info@irishsport.ie as soon as possible, and in any event no later than 10 days before the Award Ceremony.
4.2 All shortlisted organisations will receive a maximum of two complimentary tickets to the Awards event, whether they are shortlisted for one or more than one Award. These tickets are non-transferable and hold no monetary value.
4.3 The Attendees are personally responsible for their personal arrangements and expenses including travel, hospitality and accommodation relating to the Awards Ceremony.
4.4 If any of the Attendees is using car parking facilities at the Venue, the Attendees do this entirely at their own risk and in accordance with the Venue’s own terms.
4.5 The Organiser reserves the right to refuse admission to the Award Ceremony and/or remove from the Venue any Attendees, whose conduct is likely to affect other Attendees and their enjoyment of the Award Ceremony and/or, in Our reasonable opinion are acting under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and/or who use threatening, abusive and insulting words or behaviour towards Us or other Attendees.
4.6 The applicant agrees that should they be shortlisted for an Award they will provide a representative to attend the award ceremony to accept the trophy in the event they are successful.
4.7 The organisers reserve the right, and the applicant agrees to same, that where the shortlisted applicant fails to send a representative to attend the event the organisers can withdraw the relevant shortlisted entry(s) from the competition without further recourse.
4.8 In the circumstances that a shortlisted applicant fails to send a representative to the event but has been declared the winner, the organisers reserve the right, at their sole discretion, to void the applicant’s submission(s) and promote the next placed applicant present at the event to be declared the winner.
4.9 If the applicant wins an award, it grants permission to the organisers to use any photographs, video, sound, written or other material as it sees fit and without restriction.
5. Limitation of Liability and Cancellations
5.1 The Organiser does not accept any responsibility for loss or damage to personal property at the Awards Ceremony.
5.2 The Organiser reserves the right to cancel, postpone or move the Awards Ceremony to another Venue or to change any other aspect of the Awards Ceremony at its sole discretion and the Attendees shall be notified in writing promptly.
6. Exclusion of Liability
6.1 The Organiser excludes all liability whatsoever for any costs, expenses, losses, damages, liabilities, injury, or disappointment, including any loss of profit, business, contact, revenues, or anticipated savings and whether direct, indirect, special, or consequential suffered by You howsoever arising.
6.2 The Organiser excludes all liability whatsoever for any technical failure or any other problem with any online system, server or otherwise which may result in a vote being lost or not properly registered or recorded.
6.3 The Organiser reserves the right to cancel or amend the Awards and these Terms at any time.
7. Entire Agreement
7.1 These Terms sets out the entire understanding of the parties in relation to its subject matter and supersedes any prior understanding or agreement between the parties. Nothing in these Terms shall exclude or limit any liability for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.
7.2 These rules and regulations will be subject to the laws of Republic of Ireland.
7.3 If any dispute arises in connection with these Irish Sport Industry Awards the parties in dispute will attempt to settle it by recourse to the services of a mediator agreed between them or nominated for the purpose by Sport Dispute Solutions Ireland at the request of any of them. Any such request shall be deemed an invitation to the mediator so nominated to submit for the consideration of the parties in dispute a form of agreement to govern such mediation, within 10 days of his or her nomination. If a mediation agreement is signed within a further 14 days, the mediation will be conducted in accordance with that agreement. Until the expiry, of that 14-day period, no party may commence any arbitration proceedings in connection with the dispute in accordance with the SDSI Arbitration Rules. Thereafter, the procedure provided for in this clause shall not restrict the ability of any party to commence arbitration proceedings, whether or not mediation is underway provided always that the arbitration shall take place in accordance with the SDSI Arbitration Rules.