Oar-some Derek Holland wins SportMaker Club Performance Coach award

Royal Enniskillen Boat Club coach Derek Holland has been awarded the Sport NI SportMaker Club Performance Coach of the Year in recognition of his work with local athletes. The SportMaker Club Performance Coach of the Year award recognises the achievements of a coach working with athletes at a high level of domestic club sport. The…Continue reading this article →

Futsal for All scores SportMaker Project of the Year award

Omagh and Fermanagh’s Futsal for All has been named Project of Year in Sport NI’s SportMaker awards. The SportMaker Project of the Year award recognises a project or programme which uses high quality coaching, officiating and/or volunteering as a means of enabling more people to benefit from the power of sport. Futsal for All started…Continue reading this article →

Ballymoney legend Joey Dunlop wins Sport NI top sporting moment of the last 50 years.

Ballymoney motorcycling legend Joey Dunlop has claimed Sport NI’s top 10 sporting moment of the last 50 years with 57% of the vote. In January, the sports organisation launched a public vote on the ten top sporting moments of the last five decades to celebrate it’s 50th anniversary from being established on 31 December 1973.…Continue reading this article →

Orla Donnelly claims SportMaker Young Technical Official of the Year award

Derrylaughan Kevin Barrys GAC member Orla Donnelly has been named Sport NI’s SportMaker Young Technical Official of the Year. The SportMaker Young Technical Official of the Year award recognises the important work carried out by an up and coming referee, umpire and /or official and the contribution which they make to their sport. Orla began…Continue reading this article →

It’s a Slam Dunk for Tom who nets SportMaker Young Volunteer of the Year award

Phoenix Basketball Club Coach Tom Kearney has been named Sport NI’s SportMaker Young Volunteer of the Year. The SportMaker Young Volunteer of the Year award recognises the important work carried out by an up and coming volunteer, who has made an outstanding contribution to the development of sport. Tom has been coaching for three years…Continue reading this article →

Gymnastics Coach claims SportMaker Performance Pathway Coach of the Year

Salto Gymnastics Coach David Carleton has been named Sport NI’s SportMaker Performance Pathway Coach of the Year. The SportMaker Performance Pathway Coach of the Year award recognises the achievements of a coach working with emerging and young performers on a pathway to high performance. The Head Performance Squad Coach has catapulted several gymnasts in their…Continue reading this article →

Female coach rewarded for her dedication to nurturing young talent

Carrickfergus Rugby Coach Sabrina Higgins has been named Sport NI’s SportMaker Children’s Coach of the Year. The SportMaker Children’s Coach of the Year award recognises the outstanding contribution of a children’s coach to the development of young people’s skills, understanding, enjoyment and lifestyle through sport. Head Coach for girls’ rugby at Carrickfergus Rugby Football Club,…Continue reading this article →

Technical Officials Survey

We are working in partnership with Sport Ireland to develop high-quality, sector-leading research in sports officials. The purpose of this process is to inform and develop a technical officials development plan (TODP) which will set out and inform future initiatives for technical officials. As per the Sport Ireland Statement of Strategy 2023-2027 (page 52), the…Continue reading this article →

Lisburn Distillery FC coach wins Disability Coach of the Year Award

There were celebrations at Lisburn Distillery FC recently when Ged Irwin received the prestigious SportMaker Disability Coach of the Year award.   The Disability Coach of the Year award recognises the achievements of a coach working to develop people with a disability at any level within sport. Sport NI’s annual SportMaker awards recognise the unsung sporting…Continue reading this article →

Young rugby coach determined to break barriers wins SportMaker Award

23-year-old Jenny Bell, U16s Girls Rugby Coach & Senior Women’s Coach at Limavady Cricket, Rugby Football and Hockey Club has been named Sport NI SportMaker Young Coach of the Year. The Young Coach of the Year award recognises the creativity, innovation and determination of a coach under the age of 25 who is dedicated to supporting…Continue reading this article →