SPAR and EUROSPAR Champion Grassroots Sports
…with €60,000 Community Fund Deepening Team Ireland Partnership on Road to LA 2028
SPAR and EUROSPAR have announced a significant evolution of their Official Retail Partnership with The Olympic Federation of Ireland and Paralympics Ireland. This exciting development proudly introduces a stellar lineup of new SPAR and EUROSPAR Ambassadors, including Olympic gold medallist rower Fintan McCarthy, Irish heptathlon and indoor pentathlon sensation Kate O’Connor, Paralympic medallist swimmer Róisín Ní Riain, and Table Tennis Paralympian Colin Judge. As Team Ireland intensifies its preparations for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, SPAR and EUROSPAR are also proud to launch the SPAR and EUROSPAR Community Fund 2026, reinforcing their commitment to supporting Irish sport from the grassroots up.
With a strong heritage of giving back to local communities, the SPAR and EUROSPAR Community Fund will see a substantial €60,000 awarded to 30 sports clubs across the country. This initiative is designed to empower local clubs, helping them to nurture future talent and provide vital facilities and support within their communities.
Clubs nationwide are invited to apply for the Community Fund 2026 by submitting a short application showcasing how their club is truly ‘Hungry For Success’ – demonstrating their passion, commitment, and vision for growth. Entries are now open and will close on Wednesday, July 8th. Following the judging period, successful clubs will be notified, and winners will be invited to a special event across July and August to receive their prize.
The launch of the Community Fund is supported by a stellar lineup of Team Ireland heroes, who will serve as SPAR and EUROSPAR Ambassadors: double Olympic Champion rower Fintan McCarthy, Irish heptathlon and indoor pentathlon record breaker Kate O’Connor, two-time Paralympic swimming medallist Róisín Ní Riain, and two-time Paralympian and former European Para Table Tennis Champion Colin Judge. These athletes embody the dedication and community spirit that the fund aims to foster.
This partnership builds on SPAR and EUROSPAR’s extensive heritage of supporting local and elite sports, which includes sponsoring the European Athletics Championships since 1996, supporting more than 80 competitions, and consistently promoting healthy living through sport and a balanced diet. SPAR and EUROSPAR have a long-standing track record of serving local Irish communities since the first store opened in 1963, giving back and investing significantly in community and charity programmes to support local causes, community clubs and groups.
John Moane, Group Chief Executive, BWG Group (owners and operators of the SPAR and EUROSPAR brands) 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’.”
Peter Sherrard, CEO, Olympic Federation of Ireland said: “The Olympic Federation of Ireland is delighted to continue our journey with SPAR and EUROSPAR as Official Retail Partners. The expansion of our partnership to include the SPAR and EUROSPAR Community Fund 2026 is a fantastic demonstration of their commitment to Irish sport. This initiative provides support directly to the grassroots clubs that form the bedrock of our sporting pipeline, nurturing the next generation of athletes who aspire to represent Ireland on the world stage. It truly underlines the collective effort required as our athletes build towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.”
Stephen McNamara, CEO, Paralympics Ireland said: “Paralympics Ireland is thrilled to see the expansion of our partnership with SPAR and EUROSPAR and the introduction of the Community Fund 2026. This initiative is a game-changer for sports clubs across the country, providing vital resources to help them grow and develop. The fund’s focus on empowering clubs aligns perfectly with our mission to enable more people with disabilities to participate in sport, fostering an inclusive environment. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this partnership will have on future Paralympians as we set our sights firmly on Los Angeles in 2028.”
Kate O’Connor, Irish heptathlon and indoor pentathlon and SPAR and EUROSPAR Ambassador, said: “I’m thrilled to be involved in launching the SPAR and EUROSPAR Community Fund. My own journey started in local clubs, and I understand the immense dedication of coaches and volunteers, and the need for proper facilities and equipment to help athletes thrive. This fund will be a huge boost for 30 clubs, helping them to cultivate talent and encourage that ‘Hungry For Success’ mentality from a young age. It’s fantastic to see SPAR and EUROSPAR investing directly back into the communities that nurture our future sporting stars.”
Róisín Ní Riain, two-time Paralympic swimming medallist and SPAR and EUROSPAR Ambassador, said: “As an athlete, I know first-hand how vital local clubs are in providing opportunities, coaching, and a supportive environment. The SPAR and EUROSPAR Community Fund 2026 is an incredible initiative that will directly benefit clubs across the country. This investment means more young people will have the chance to develop their talents and feel that sense of belonging and ambition that sport brings. I’m so proud to be an Ambassador for a fund that truly makes a difference at the grassroots level.”
