Rules and Eligibility Criteria

Purpose of the Award
This award recognises a sports club, community organisation, or group that has made an outstanding contribution to promoting sport, physical activity, and community well-being. It will be awarded to a community sports club in each province who delivers an outstanding service and has made a significant contribution to sport in their area. It celebrates excellence in inclusion, participation, leadership, and positive impact through sport. The size and resources of the club relative to the impact will be considered when assessing the nomination. 

Criteria
The club should be able to demonstrate their impact in at least one of the following areas:

• Participation
• Equality, diversity and inclusion
• People development
• Collaboration
• Performance 
• Meeting community need 

Nominees should demonstrate some or all of the above, thorough:

• Evidence of positive impact on individuals, groups or communities, including those defined by place or protected characteristic.
• Contribution to the physical and/or mental wellbeing of participants.
• Use of sport and physical activity to support personal development (social, community or economic).
• Be a grassroots club or community organisation.
• Growth of the club and community reach.

Required Information

• Club name, sport(s), location, year established and website/social link. 
• A short club profile.
• Contact person’s name, role and email.
• Number of active participants, split between under-18s and adults.
• Approximate gender breakdown, if recorded; allow “not recorded”
• Number of regular volunteers.
• Facilities used: owned, leased, hired or shared.

Please consider the above as context for our judges, rather than awarding points simply for having more members, facilities or volunteers.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible Nominees

• Open to amateur or community-based sports clubs, associations, or groups operating within the eligible region or governing body’s area.
• The club must be affiliated with a recognised Local Sports Partnership or National Governing Body.
• The club must be completely volunteer led with no professional staff.
• Must have been active for at least 12 months prior to nomination.
• Clubs that receive commercial income are not eligible.
• Clubs may only be nominated once.

The judging process will be based on the content of the nomination form and not the number of nominations received per Club/Community Sport Organisation.

Eligible Activities
Outline their work in the community; is there any event/activity in the last 12 to 24 months they are especially proud of.
Initiatives should demonstrate a clear link to community benefit, participation, inclusion or development through sport and physical activity.
Both ongoing programs and specific projects/events can be considered.

Who Can Nominate
Nominations may be made by club officials, members, parents, participants or general public. Please note, you will be required to create an account to submit an nomination

Judging Process
Judging will be conducted by an independent panel of representatives from the sporting and community sectors.
Decisions will be based on the published judging criteria, including contribution, inclusivity, development, innovation, and impact.
Consideration will be given to the following: 

• How long your club/organisation has been around in existence.
• The impact that your Club/Community Sport organisation has on its members/participants.
• The impact that your Club/Community Sport organisation has on the wider community.
• Developments and initiatives your Club/ Community sport organisation is responsible for that have had significant impact in terms of facilities/community outreach.

All information provided will be treated confidentially and used solely for judging purposes.
The judges’ decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into regarding outcomes.

Submission Requirements
A completed nomination form must be submitted by the published deadline.
Late or incomplete nominations will not be considered.

Conditions of Entry

• The Club/Community Sport organisation agrees that its name, logo, and photos may be used for promotional purposes related to the awards.
• Nominees must be willing to participate in any publicity, media interviews, or award ceremonies.
• The organising committee reserves the right to verify information provided in the nomination.
• Awards may be withheld if no nomination meets the required standard.
• The successful Club/Community Sport organisation 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, the 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.