AWARD RECIPIENT
Frontrunners & Briskwalkers Cork
With over 100 members, Frontrunners & Briskwalkers Cork is the largest LGBTQ+ sports club outside of Dublin. It offers an inclusive and welcoming environment to community members and allies throughout the Rebel County, with a remarkable programme of events tailored to every pace.
Accepting the award, they thanked GCN, the NXF, and all of the people who nominated them, as well as members of their committee. They gave a special shoutout to Gay Project for its support throughout the year, particularly in their Pride Run which grew to 420 participants in 2025, and also to the Cork Pride festival.
NOMINEES
Fionn Collins
Fionn Collins has made significant contributions to inclusion in Irish sport, especially through his role as a founder and Chairperson of the Republic of Ireland’s first LGBTQ+ basketball club, Shamrock Sióga. He is known as a highly driven and passionate individual who is dedicated to fostering safe and welcoming communities within the sporting sphere.
James Curry
James Curry is the Sports Inclusion Coordinator for Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI), working to ensure trans, non-binary and intersex people are not excluded from the playing field. Between organising sports days, delivering training to schools, clubs, governing bodies and gyms, and developing new toolkits and resources, day in and day out James demonstrates his commitment to inclusion.
Pink Ladies+ Hockey Club
Founded in 2011, Pink Ladies+ offers a safe, welcoming and fun environment for queer women and non-binary folk to learn and play hockey, while making friends. Growing to over 140 members strong, the club has flown the Irish flag at international tournaments like the Gay Games, EuroGames and OutGames.
By Alice Linehan