Ahane’s Emer Kenny to receive National Volunteer Award on Wednesday

Limerick’s Emer Kenny will receive nationwide recognition for her dedicated work with Ahane GAA & Camogie Club this week, as she will be awarded the Limerick award at this week’s virtual Federation of Irish Sport Volunteers in Sport awards, proudly supported by EBS Mortgage Masters.

Although she is only 22 years of age, Emer has been the head coach of the Ahane U10 and U11 Camogie teams for the past four years, epitomizing the importance of volunteering. Her impact has been lasting with a huge growth in numbers playing the game in the club since she took on the role. She is also the club’s PRO.

Emer has a massive impact on young and old alike. She helped the young girls to stay active throughout the lockdown and ensured that they were looking forward to the daily challenges. She provides valuable updates and reports for those who cannot attend matches for all genders, ages and codes and the club’s social media platforms are testament to that. Emer’s work truly brings the community closer together.

Her positive promotion of women in sport has been superb and she has shown how powerful and impactful today’s youth can be and has inspired other young people in the club to become involved in leadership positions. The profile of Ahane is at an all-time high and Emer has been the catalyst for that growth. Emer will be honoured this week at the special virtual awards ceremony.  

The awards will be streamed live each evening from 7pm on the Federation of Irish Sport’s Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/federationofirishsport/ with the awards schedule listed below: 

• Tuesday, January 12th: Leinster and Special Recognition Award 
• Wednesday, January 13th: Munster, Connacht and Special Recognition Award 
• Thursday, January 14th: Ulster and Outstanding Achievement Award  

The Volunteers in Sport Awards were created to champion the contribution, commitment and dedication of the army of 450,000 volunteers across the country who go above and beyond by giving their time to Irish sport and physical activity each year.  These volunteers dedicate some 37.2 million hours of volunteering across the country’s 13,000+ sports clubs and associations every year. 

Towards the end of 2020, members of the public, as well as sports clubs and governing bodies were invited to nominate an individual whose contributions to sport has made a real difference to their community, club or county. The nominations and award recipients were selected by a judging panel consisting of 11 individuals drawn from sports administration, the volunteer community and media, including former Director General of the GAA, Paraic Duffy, RTÉ broadcaster, Marie Crowe and CEO of CARA, Niamh Daffy. 

Speaking about the awards, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport, Mary O’Connor said: 

“Sport plays a central role in the social fabric of every community in Ireland, yet it would not happen at all without the army of volunteers who dedicate their time and expertise across pitches, courts, tracks, pools and community halls across the country. This year, more than ever before, we have seen just how essential the role of the volunteer is in our local communities and to this end, it will be an honour to be able to recognise so many of these volunteers at this week’s virtual Volunteers in Sport awards.”

Full list of winners for the 2020 Federation of Irish Sport Volunteer in Sport awards proudly supported by EBS: