Volunteers in Sport Awards 2014 launched by Minister Ring

Minister Michael Ring TD, Minister of State for Sport and Tourism today launched the Volunteers in Sport Awards 2014 at the Aviva Stadium. An initiative of the Federation of Irish Sport in conjunction with the Irish Sports Council, the Department of Tourism, Transport and Sport and The Community Foundation of Ireland, the Volunteers in Sport Awards are run to honour the work of volunteers in Irish sport.

The Minister was joined at today's launch by John Treacy, CEO, Irish Sports Council, Olympic Gold Medallist Ronnie Delany, Fiona Coghlan, Captain, Irish Women's Rugby team, Stephanie Roche, Peamount Utd and Republic of Ireland Women's Football Team, Keith Fahey, St. Patrick's Athletic and Republic of Ireland and Irish Olympic Boxer Darren O'Neill.

Minister Michael Ring TD "The work of volunteers is the foundation on which sport in Ireland is built - without volunteers there would be no sport in Ireland."

The first awards were presented in 2007 and are designed to recognise the contribution, commitment and dedication of the 500,000 volunteers who give so generously of their time to sport every year. Sport remains the single biggest driver of voluntary activity in Ireland.

Ten winners will be selected to receive an award from the nominations received. An Overall or Lifetime award to honour a volunteer, who has consistently given of their time for a sport, a team, or an event over many years, will also be awarded. Full details of the scheme and how to enter can be found on line at www.volunteersinsport.com.

Previous winners include Liam Sheedy, who managed Tipperary to All Ireland Senior success in 2010, Oliver O'Neill, youth coach and father of Olympic Boxer Darren O'Neill and Dublin City Marathon organiser Jim Aughney.

The deadline for nominations for the 2014 Volunteers in Irish Sport Awards is 12 noon, Friday 25th April 2014. The awards will be presented to the winners at a ceremony in the Aviva Stadium in early Autumn.