Major boost for Federation of Irish Sport as volunteers set to benefit from EBS support

EBS have announced a Community Fund that will benefit sporting volunteers all over Ireland.

On top of their commitment to support the Volunteer in Sport Awards in November, the Mortgage Masters are offering a long-term backing. Every year over 450,000 volunteers work with 78 national sport and physical activity governing bodies to ensure that sport happens across each and every county in Ireland. So EBS have announced details of a unique partnership with The Federation of Irish Sport that will bring year-round support to this army of volunteers throughout Ireland who are integral in sustaining sport in local communities every day. This exciting partnership will primarily see the network of EBS offices engage with the national governing bodies and local sports partnerships that manage the wide variety of sports in Ireland to champion and support volunteers in sport and physical activity. Promoting volunteers in branches and in the community, EBS offices will drive the partnership further through the EBS Community Fund. The fund will be open countrywide to support volunteers in sport throughout the year. Further details on the EBS Community Fund to follow. The first activity under this partnership will be the announcement of the Volunteer in Sport Awards, supported by EBS.  It takes place in November 2019 and will see volunteers in sport from around Ireland recognised officially at an event in Dublin hosted by the Federation of Irish Sport and representatives of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. The partnership will bring continuous support for volunteers who every day mobilise in the early hours, late at night, at weekends; and all on their own time, with little recognition or reward. There is no glory, but they are there when it matters, because it is the right thing to do; for the team, for their family, for their friends, for their community, for their country. Speaking on the announcement of the partnership, EBS CEO Des Fitzgerald commented:

"EBS is proud to stand with these every day heroes without whom, sport in Ireland simply would not happen. We have been involved in communities in Ireland for over 80 years and are delighted to reignite our activity in communities around the country with this unique partnership with The Federation of Irish Sport. "In addition to the annual awards taking place later this year, we look forward to a series of year-round supports from the EBS network, that will ensure these volunteers are championed and celebrated, getting the recognition they deserve for the work that they do in communities throughout Ireland.”

Commenting on the partnership, CEO of The Federation of Irish Sport Mary O’Connor said"

“We have always acknowledged that incredible contribution that volunteers in sport and physical activity make towards the success of sport in Ireland. Given EBS’s long standing role in communities throughout Ireland, they are the perfect partner to champion and celebrate the 450,000 volunteers in sport. We look forward to a long and successful partnership with EBS, shining a light on this incredible group of people."