MAKE A NOMINATION

Things you need to know

• Only one valid (complete and accurate) entry per volunteer will be considered, it is the quality of the nomination, not the quantity that counts.
• All nominations will be considered by the Selection Committee to identify a short list of finalists to present to the esteemed judging panel for final decision.
• All entries will receive an automated response to confirm receipt of nomination.

• Nominations will be accepted until 10:00am Thursday 19th December.

• There will be an in-person awards ceremony on Friday 28th February 2025 in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown in Dublin to present each county recipient with their commemorative award.

Top Tips for entering

The entry form has been designed to make submitting an entry form as convenient as possible. There’s no hard and fast rule or magic formula that will guarantee success, however, here are a few guidelines to help make the process a little easier for you.

• All entries require a short-written submission outlining why you believe your nominee makes a difference.
• It’s important to use your 400 word allowance to make sure you demonstrate why you are nominating this person. Illustrating for example, the dedication of this volunteer to their club/sporting organisation, the contribution they have made to the community, any growth in participation, or the impact they have had on the sport, a team, player/athlete, local engagement. Tell us exactly how they go above and beyond duty, and/or any individual outstanding achievements or new initiatives they have implemented as a volunteer.
• Volunteers can contribute in many different ways. For example, they may have lead on particular initiatives like inclusivity in your club or promoted women in sport, or increased participation amongst teenage girls or are they green goals and driving sustainability in your club? Focus on the key information that will make your entry stand out. Think about what makes your volunteer vital to your sports club, team or community organisation.
• Provide any relevant statistics, anecdotes, facts, and figures to demonstrate your volunteers success, e.g. growth in membership, increased participation rates, increased representation of minority groups etc.
• The judging process will be based on the content of the nomination form and not the amount of nominations received per individual.
• Only one valid entry will be considered per volunteer.
  This is your chance to showcase their good work – so make sure it reflects the very best of what they do. If you have any questions about nominating someone, email us at info@volunteersinsport.ie

Judging Process

All entries received will be reviewed by the Selection Committee and shortlisted for judging by the Judging Panel. 

Judging Criteria

• Length of service as a volunteer (minimum 2 years).
• Number of roles served within the club or sporting organisation.
• Impact on the club or sporting organisation and the wider impact on the community.
• Dedication to the sport, growing participation, inclusivity or innovation.
• Overall merit.
• Other qualities.

Rules & Eligibility

• Each nominee must have served in his/her voluntary role for no less than 2 years and must still be acting in the role for which he/she are being nominated.
• There will be 32 county awards (four for the Dublin region) and an Outstanding Achievement award chosen from the county recipients.
• Individuals who receive pay in return for their services will not be eligible. The reimbursement of expenses is not considered pay for the purposes of these awards.
• You may not nominate yourself for this award.
  Contact details for the nominated individual must be provided.
• Entries can only by made via the online entry form.
  Each entry will receive an automated response confirming receipt of entry.
• Due to the large number of entries individual feedback on nominations is not provided.
• The county award recipients will be contacted directly at the end of January 2025 and also announced on www.volunteersinsport.ie.
• Due to the high volume of entries only the final 35 awards recipients will be contacted directly.
  Other than what is required, do not send any additional information as such material cannot be considered.
• Each nomination must have their club secretary or sporting organisation approval.
• The successful nominees will each receive a special commemorative award. The awards will be presented at an in-person ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown in Dublin.
• Before receiving an award each nominee will be required to sign a waiver form/ grant the Awards organisers together with any Award Sponsor the right to the use of his/her name, likeness or photograph without compensation in any publicity or for promotional purposes carried out.
• All proposed award recipients will be subject to vetting.
• Those nominated for roles working with children or vulnerable adults will be subject to vetting check to ensure compliance.
• Being nominated for another volunteer scheme does not preclude entry under this particular scheme.
• All decisions are final.
• Event organisers reserve the right to amend dates.
• The judging process will be based on the content of the nomination form and not the amount of nominations received per individual.

Begin your nomination

ENTRIES ARE NOW CLOSED