The Federation of Irish Sport has today announced the shortlist of finalists for the 2019 Sport Industry Awards, with Basketball Ireland shortlisted for four of the prestigious awards. 

The Awards recognise and reward excellence in the business of sport, whilst simultaneously highlighting the contribution of sport to Ireland. A women in sport award, under the banner of 20x20, is a new addition to the award ceremony this year in a move towards showcasing the increasing contribution and value of women in sport in Ireland. In all, a total of 14 awards will be distributed on the night, reflecting the diverse nature of Irish sport.

Speaking at the announcement of the short-list, Mary O’Connor, CEO, Federation of Irish Sport, said: “The awards were set up to highlight the importance of the business of sport in Ireland and the value of sport to the Irish economy.  Today sport supports almost 40,000 jobs, represents almost €2.4 billion in household expenditure and has been estimated to contribute almost €1.9 billion in tourism revenue.  And that is beyond all of the other contributions sport makes in areas such as health, inclusivity, diversity and reputation both at home and abroad.”

The winners will be determined by a judging panel drawn from both the business and sporting community.   The panel is Cliona O’Leary, RTE Sport, Athlete Fiona Coghlan, Carol Andrews, BNY Mellon & 30 & Club Founder, Amanda Harton, JLT Insurance, Sinead Galvin, Galvin Sports Management, David McHugh, Line Up Sports, Gerry McDermott, Fingal County Council, Miriam Malone, Paralympics Ireland and Jill Downey, Core. The panel is chaired by Sport for Business founder and past Irish Sport Industry Award winner Rob Hartnett.

Basketball Ireland Shortlists:

Best use of Social media by an Organisation shortlist:

Basketball Ireland

Gymnastics Ireland

AIG

Horse Sport Ireland

LIDL

Best Programme or Campaign to Increase Participation shortlist:

Athletics Ireland - Daily Mile

LIDL Ireland and LGFA

Cork Sports Partnership – School sports programme

Basketball Ireland – Jr. NBA

Badminton Ireland – Shuttle time schools programme

20x20 Awards shortlist:

Basketball Ireland – Women’s Coaching Forum

Volleyball Ireland – Transition Year Women in Sport programme

Dublin City Sports and Wellbeing Partnership - GAGA Programme

Sara McFadden

Waterford & FAI – Soccer for Girls

NGB of the Year award shortlist:

Horse Sport Ireland

Gymnastics Ireland

Cricket Ireland

Basketball Ireland

Special Olympics Ireland

The awards were set up in 2015 to highlight the contribution that sport makes to Ireland’s economy both directly and indirectly. The winners will be announced at a ceremony on Monday, April 15^th at the Crown Plaza Blanchardstown, Dublin 15.