Sean Naughton Awarded Lifetime Achievement Award
Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring TD, today announced the winners of the National Volunteers in Sport Awards at an awards ceremony in the Aviva Stadium.
The Volunteers in Sport Awards 2014 are presented by the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport, the Irish Sports Council the Federation of Irish Sport and the Community Foundation of Ireland.
First held in 2007, the objective of the national awards programme is to honour ten individuals as representatives of the huge body of volunteers in sport who give of their time in various capacities through the structure of sports clubs and groups to sport in Ireland.
Sean Naughton
Ten winners were selected to receive an award from the nominations received. A Lifetime Achievement award was also presented to Sean Naughton. Minister Michael Ring commented: ‘At eighty one years of age Sean remains active in athletics and can regularly be seen in the indoor stadium mentoring, encouraging and coaching young athletics and coaches alike. His lifetime voluntary contribution to sport at a local, national and international level makes him an ideal candidate for the life time achievement award.’
Speaking at the awards ceremony Minister Michael Ring TD said: ‘The work of volunteers is the foundation on which sport in Ireland is built - without volunteers there would be no sport in Ireland. These awards allow us to honour some of the real heroes of Irish sport working behind the scenes. Volunteers are a vital part of every club and sporting organisation around the country and are doing wonderful work for sport in their communities.’
John Treacy, CEO Irish Sports Council said “Volunteers play a vital role in sustaining the high level of sporting activity in Ireland with all the associated health and social benefits, and contribute significantly to the development of sport in Ireland. The commitment, dedication and leadership of Ireland's sporting volunteers, allows athletes and communities to participate in sport all around the country”.
Sarah O’Connor, Chief Executive of the Federation of Irish Sport commented “Irish Sport is hugely dependent on the volunteer. Without them, many of the 2.8 million people who partake in Sport in Ireland simply would not have the opportunity to do so. These awards give us an opportunity to say thank you to a small representative group from this hugely significant workforce, the value of which in economic terms has been estimated at up to €3 billion per year”.