County Galway Volunteer Arun Babu Celebrated with 2025 Volunteers in Sport Award

County Galway Volunteer Arun Babu Celebrated with 2025 Volunteers in Sport Award

• 36 individual volunteers to be honoured at national awards celebration with special guest Minister of State for Sport & Postal Policy, Minister Charlie McConalogue TD.
• Every week, 460,000 volunteers dedicate their time to support 1.47 million club members.
• Economic contribution of volunteers in sport valued at €1.5 billion annually.

The Federation of Irish Sport has announced that Arun Babu has been named County Galway’s 2025 recipient of the Volunteers in Sport Awards, supported by the Sport Ireland National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships. Arun will be honoured at a special ceremony on Thursday, 26 February 2026, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown, alongside volunteers from every county in Ireland (including four from Dublin). The event will include a keynote address from Minister Charlie McConalogue TD, Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy, and the announcement of the prestigious Outstanding Achievement Award.

Arun Babu has made an exceptional contribution to cricket through playing, administration, and financial leadership. A former senior player in Connacht and Munster, multiple Munster Senior Cup and Midland League winner, and a qualified umpire and coach, he has contributed across all levels of the game. As Treasurer of County Galway Cricket Club since 2019, Arun stabilised club finances and secured over €340,000 in grants and funding, helping with the infrastructure development and supporting the club’s first-ever All-Ireland National Cup victory. His dedication has been fundamental to the growth and sustainability of cricket in the west of Ireland. His influence from the grassroots level Groundsman and Matchday secretary to the provincial administrative board confirms his status as an unparalleled contributor to cricket development in the West of Ireland.

A Nation of Sporting Volunteers

Volunteers remain the foundation of Irish sport. Each week, an estimated 460,000 volunteers give their time to support 1.47 million club members across Ireland, helping communities stay active, connected, and engaged. From coaching young athletes to managing clubs, promoting inclusion, and ensuring child safety, their contribution is vital at every level.

Honouring Those Who Keep Irish Sport Thriving

The 2025 awards attracted a record number of nominations spanning more than 49 sporting disciplines, reflecting the remarkable diversity and strength of volunteering in sport and physical activity throughout Ireland. In addition to the individual awards, an inaugural Club/Community award in association with Clann Credo will be awarded to a club from each province recognising their contribution and commitment to their community.

A new Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising dedication over many years of service has also been introduced this year.

The event will culminate in the announcement of the prestigious Outstanding Achievement Award, celebrating one volunteer whose contribution to Irish sport has been truly extraordinary.

Speaking about the significance of the awards, Mary O’Connor, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport, said: “The Federation of Irish Sport is delighted to honour the extraordinary volunteers who dedicate their time, passion, and energy to supporting sport and physical activity across Ireland. Their commitment not only enriches Irish sport but also strengthens communities nationwide. Their dedication is worth €1.5bn to the Irish economy each year. These awards provide an important opportunity to recognise the immense scale of volunteering required each week to support 1.47 million club members throughout the country.”

Sport Ireland CEO Dr Úna May said: “Volunteers are the driving force behind sport in Ireland. Their contribution helps sustain clubs and communities. From coaches to committee members, officials and event helpers, their contribution helps keep people active and connected.

"Sport Ireland research highlights the sheer scale of this commitment, with hundreds of thousands of people giving their time to support sport, including more than 268,000 involved in coaching - most of them volunteering, many with children. This generosity reflects a deeply rooted culture of involvement that underpins sport right across the country.

"But of course, volunteers do far more than just support sport; they strengthen communities, foster belonging and make participation possible. Their contribution is invaluable. At Sport Ireland we're very proud to play a role in recognising and supporting them.”

Coordinator of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Sport Partnership and member of the adjudication panel, Shane McArdle said: “The National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships is delighted to come together to collectively support and promote the annual Volunteers in Sport Awards. The awards are a nationwide celebration of the grassroots activities and spirit of volunteerism that is the backbone driving sport and physical activity in our communities.”

See below for full list of County recipients.

#DedicatedtotheDedicated

FULL LIST OF 2025 VOLUNTEERS IN SPORT AWARDS COUNTY RECIPIENTS