Michael Mongan was among the winners at this year's national sport volunteer awards for his dedicated work with Galway' Olympic Boxing Club.
Mongan is well known in Galway sporting circles having held every role and duty in the Olympic Boxing Club. However, his influence has extended beyond the club with involvement with Foroige and Tusla Youth Projects, Garda Diversion Projects, the Galway City Partnership, Youthreach, Dochas Don Oige, Community Training Centre and organisations encouraging the participation and progression of members in education and into employment.
Mongan, who received the Galway award at this week’s virtual Federation of Irish Sport Volunteers in Sport awards, is praised for his positive impact on the promotion of a healthy active lifestyle throughout Galway city and county.
According to the citation, not only is he a great ambassador for boxing, always positive, resilient, open to change and new ideas, he makes achieving success his goal in life, while helping individual members overcome personal issues and struggles by creating a safe space for all.
CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport, Mary O’Connor, says sport plays a central role in the social fabric of every community in Ireland, yet it would not happen at all without the army of volunteers who dedicate their time and expertise across pitches, courts, tracks, pools and community halls across the country.
"This year, more than ever before, we have seen just how essential the role of the volunteer is in our local communities and to this end, it will be an honour to be able to recognise so many of these volunteers at this week’s virtual Volunteers in Sport awards."
The Volunteers in Sport Awards, supported by EBS Mortgage Masters, were created to champion the contribution, commitment and dedication of the army of 450,000 volunteers across the country who give their time to Irish sport and physical activity each year. The volunteers dedicate some 37.2 million hours of volunteering across the country’s 13,000+ sports clubs and associations every year.
Towards the end of 2020, members of the public, as well as sports clubs and governing bodies, were invited to nominate individuals whose contributions to sport has made a real difference to their community, club or county. The nominations and award recipients were selected by a judging panel from sports administration, the volunteer community and media.
Minister for Sport and the Gaeltacht, Jack Chambers, says, volunteers are often overlooked, but they are truly the "backbone of sport in Ireland".
"These awards are a superb way to recognise and honour their amazing contribution to their communities."
