I am pleased to confirm that I will serve as a judge for the Active Disability Ireland Services Awards 2026, taking place on Wednesday, 24th June at the Athlone Springs Hotel.

This year’s theme, Leading by Example, is not symbolic — it sets a clear expectation around leadership, standards, and the willingness to challenge outdated views on disability, physical activity, and inclusion.

The awards recognise the work being delivered across Ireland through disability services, particularly initiatives developed through the Active Healthy Me programme and aligned with the Health Service Executive New Directions Policy. The focus is on execution and measurable impact — not intent.

What distinguishes these awards is the breadth of evaluation. Submissions span both initiative-led and people-led categories, including:

• Physical activity and outdoor initiatives
• Community engagement and partnership models
• Health and lifestyle interventions
• Individual leadership and participation (Active Champions)
• Staff leadership and programme delivery
• Organisational culture at senior management level

Eligibility is structured and deliberate: services must be HSE-funded, actively engaged in the programme, and delivering across physical activity, health promotion, and community inclusion. This ensures recognition is grounded in consistent, accountable delivery — not isolated effort.

From a judging perspective, the standard is clear:

• Evidence of sustained, real-world impact
• Initiatives that move beyond access towards genuine belonging
• Leadership that influences behaviour and culture
• Models that are scalable, transferable, and embedded — not temporary

Nominations are open from 2nd March to 1st May 2026, with finalists announced on 25th May ahead of the June ceremony.

This is not simply an awards event. It is a mechanism for setting standards and defining what effective inclusion looks like when delivered properly.

I look forward to reviewing the submissions and contributing to a process that is actively shaping a more accountable and inclusive environment for physical activity and disability services in Ireland.