Spar and Eurospar Ireland have announced a new community sports fund worth €60,000 as part of an extension of their official retail sponsorship with Team Ireland through partnerships with The Olympic Federation of Ireland and Paralympics Ireland.
The announcement also introduces a new team of Spar and Eurospar ambassadors, featuring Olympic gold medal-winning rower Fintan McCarthy, Irish heptathlon and indoor pentathlon athlete Kate O’Connor, Paralympic medallist swimmer Róisín Ní Riain, and Paralympic table tennis athlete Colin Judge.
As Team Ireland ramps up preparations for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, Spar and Eurospar have launched the Spar and Eurospar Community Fund, which will provide €60,000 in funding to 30 sports clubs across Ireland.
The initiative aims to strengthen grassroots sport by supporting local clubs, helping them develop future talent while providing essential facilities and resources within communities.
Sports clubs nationwide are now invited to apply for the Community Fund 2026 by submitting a short application demonstrating how their club is ‘Hungry for Success’, highlighting their passion, commitment and ambitions for growth.
Applications are now open and will remain open until 8 July 2026.
Following the judging process, successful clubs will be contacted and invited to attend special events taking place throughout July and August, where they will receive their awards.
The initiative builds on Spar and Eurospar’s long-standing commitment to supporting sport at both grassroots and elite levels. Their extensive sporting involvement includes sponsorship of the European Athletics Championships since 1996, support for more than 80 competitions, and ongoing promotion of healthy living through sport and balanced nutrition.
Speaking about the announcement, BWG Group chief executive John Moane said:
“We are incredibly proud to see our partnership with Team Ireland evolve and strengthen in 2026.
“We are also absolutely delighted to welcome Fintan, Kate, Róisín, and Colin onboard as Spar and Eurospar ambassadors, and look forward to them helping to inspire clubs nationwide.
“The launch of the Spar and Eurospar Community Fund 2026 truly embodies our belief in the power of sport at all levels.
“Through this fund, offering €60,000 to 30 deserving sports clubs nationwide, we are directly investing in the future of Irish sport, fostering grassroots talent, and building stronger, healthier communities right across the country.
“Our retailers, who are at the heart of communities across Ireland, are excited to rally behind this initiative and encourage local clubs to show us how they are ‘Hungry for Success.’”
More information, including how to apply, is available at https://www.spar.ie/communityfund
Picture : Kate O’Connor
Photo : Sportsfile/David Fitzgerald
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