Swim Ireland yesterday received silver and bronze Xcessible Awards at the inaugural National Xcessible Awards hosted by Active Disability Ireland in the Johnstown House Hotel. The prestigious event marked a powerful celebration of inclusion in sport, honouring five years of hard work and dedication by National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) and Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) across Ireland. Swim Ireland is proud to be just one of four National Governing Bodies to receive both the silver and bronze awards to-date; a testament to the work carried out across the aquatics community to ensure an inclusive environment for all as we continue to build on the vision of An island of swimmers.

The National Xcessible Awards were created to recognise and celebrate the ongoing commitment to inclusion within the Irish sporting sector. They are a testament to the collective efforts being made nationwide to ensure that people with disabilities have equal opportunities to participate in all aspects of sport and physical activity. Over the past five years, tremendous progress has been made to ensure people with disabilities have equal opportunities to participate in sport and physical activity — and the Xcessible Awards shine a well-deserved spotlight on that transformative work.

“These awards are more than recognition — they are a celebration of meaningful change and a reflection of our shared vision for an inclusive sporting landscape in Ireland,” said Brenda O’Donnell, CEO of Active Disability Ireland. “We’re incredibly proud to host this event and to celebrate the outstanding contributions of so many passionate individuals and organisations.”

The event was expertly hosted by MC Rob Hartnett, who guided attendees through the celebration, shining a light on the organisations and individuals who have been pivotal in advancing inclusion.

The programme was shaped around five key pillars of the Xcessible Programme – Openness, People, Facilities, Activities, and Promotion – with each representing a cornerstone of inclusive practice. Awards were presented to commend those who have demonstrated excellence, innovation, and a deep commitment to making sport and physical activity more accessible for all.

For more information on the programme head to the Active Disability Ireland website.