The Canoeing Ireland ‘PaddleAble’ programme last night won the Best Initiative to Promote Diversity & Inclusivity in Sport and Physical Activity category at the Irish Sport Industry Awards. Hosted by the Federation of Irish Sport, these awards aim to celebrate a wide range of outstanding achievements across the Irish sport sector. The evening’s keynote address was delivered by Minister for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue TD, who commended the shortlisted finalists, winners and all those working in sporting organisations for their vital role in shaping Ireland’s sporting future.
In the category for ‘Best Initiative to Promote Diversity & Inclusivity in Sport and Physical Activity’, PaddleAble was shortlisted against some incredible initiatives from Cycling Ireland, the Irish Wheelchair Association and the Football Association of Ireland. To have won against these inspirational programmes is testament to the remarkable impact the PaddleAble programme has had on our community, and the superb leadership of Diversity and Inclusion Manager, Emer Carton. Launched in 2022, the PaddleAble programme has been promoting inclusion in paddle sports for individuals with additional needs. Key initiatives include the Ambassador Project, raising awareness through powerful video stories, and PaddleAble Educate, which trains coaches in inclusive practices. Partnerships, like with the National Rehabilitation Hospital, have expanded access, and Canoeing Ireland has earned the Xcessible Bronze Award for its efforts. The programme also funds inclusive events through the PaddleAble Programme Grant.
At the Awards themselves the audience were treated to a viewing of the PaddleAble Ambassador video for Mark Henderson, telling his inspirational story and demonstrating the positive impact the programme has had. With the screening of this video being all the more poignant with Mark Henderson being recently elected to the Board of Canoeing Ireland in the role of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Director.
‘PaddleAble’ has always been a team effort from Canoeing Ireland, with the staff as a whole showing unwavering dedication to making our sport more inclusive. As always we want to thank the wider paddle sports community for their support of this programme, the success of PaddleAble belongs to everyone in paddle sports who has helped us make our sport as inclusive and accessible as possible.
