Stephen Dargan Named the 2023 County Carlow Recipient of the Federation of Irish Sport Volunteers in Sport Awards

STEPHEN DARGAN NAMED THE 2023 COUNTY CARLOW RECIPIENT OF THE FEDERATION OF IRISH SPORT VOLUNTEERS IN SPORT AWARDS SUPPORTED BY THE NATIONAL NETWORK OF 29 LOCAL SPORTS PARTNERSHIPS

The awards ceremony will take place at The Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown on Thursday 29th February 2024

Friday 9th February 2024: The Federation of Irish Sport today announced the County recipients of the 2023 Volunteers in Sport Awards proudly supported by the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships. The County Carlow award for 2023 has been awarded to Stephen Dargan of Carlow FC.

Recognising the depth and breadth of volunteering in sporting communities nationwide, these dedicated volunteers will be celebrated at a national awards ceremony in Dublin on Thursday 29th February 2024. The invited special guest speaker is Minister Thomas Byrne, Minster of State with responsibility for Sport and Physical Education, which is testament to the commitment at government level to supporting and recognising the vital role of volunteers in advancing sports participation and community development.

The recipient of the award for Co. Carlow is Stephen Dargan of Carlow FC. At the core of Stephen’s volunteering is inclusivity and diversity and extending a welcome to individuals from all abilities and backgrounds. Stephen’s contribution to County Carlow Football Club’s all – inclusive tag rugby team has stretched over two decades, and he’s demonstrated his versatility as a volunteer in a number of different roles and his passion for the club. Stephen has a fundamental willingness to adapt to the latest inclusive practices in sport, and curate an enjoyable environment for every participant.

The economic significance of volunteering in sport cannot be overstated, it has an estimated value of €1.5 billion annually to the Irish economy. This figure underscores the immense social and economic benefits derived from the invaluable contributions of volunteers across the Irish sporting landscape.

In addition to the county award winners being recognised at the ceremony, anticipation will be high as one exceptional individual will be awarded with the overall Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Federation CEO Mary O’Connor commented; “We are looking forward to celebrating the exceptional contributions made by volunteers in sport from all over the country. Working behind the scenes volunteers play a crucial role in fostering community engagement, promoting physical activity, and driving the success of sporting events nationwide, they are truly #DedicatedToTheDedicated. The awards promise to be yet again another remarkable event acknowledging the time and passion of those involved in sport locally and to say, ‘thank you’ for their dedication.”

Commenting on the announcement of the list of recipients, Head of Sport, Louth LSP, Louth County Council and member of the judging panel Graham Russell stated, “The 2023 Volunteers in Sport Awards serve as a reminder of the power of volunteering in sport, celebrating individuals whose unwavering dedication enriches lives, strengthens communities, and encourages a culture of active living.”

See below for full list of County Award winners.

About the Federation of Irish Sport (FIS):
Founded in April 2002, the Federation of Irish Sports was established by Ireland’s national sporting organisations to provide leadership, co-ordination, support, and direction on key issues and to represent their interests to government and its relevant agencies. FIS is the representative organisation for 110 National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) and Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) from every corner of the country, comprising over 12,000 sports clubs. Our purpose is to provide a dynamic and effective voice for Irish sport, “to support and advocate collectively for our members, empowering them to maximise the impact of sport, recreation, and physical activity for society.”

FULL LIST OF 2023 VOLUNTEERS IN SPORT AWARDS COUNTY RECIPIENTS