OLYMPIC legend Lady Mary Peters has endorsed the 2026 Local Women Sport Awards in her role as Ambassador for the fourth annual celebration of high achievement in female sport in Ulster.
Lady Mary, 1972 Pentathlon gold medal winner at the Munich Games and the Local Women Sport inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award winner, said: “It came as an absolute shock to me in 2023 when I was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award and I’m delighted to be an ambassador for the 2026 awards. We have so many talented sportswomen in this country, so I am confident that the standard of entries will be exceptional.”
From grassroots heroes to elite performers, sportswomen and teams across the country are being invited to now step into the spotlight as entries are open for the localwomensport.com awards 2026, the biggest celebration of women in sport on the island of Ireland.
The localwomensport.com awards 2026 will return to the Europa Hotel in Belfast on Saturday, April 11 with Shandon Hotel & Spa, Donegal announced as headline sponsor.
Now in their 4th year, the localwomensport.com awards 2026 are the only dedicated all-sports awards for women on the island of Ireland. They celebrate female achievement at every level, from grassroots to elite, across football, hockey, camogie, LGFA, rugby, athletics, netball and many more disciplines.
Clubs, schools, coaches, parents and athletes themselves are encouraged to put forward the women and girls who are making a difference in sport. You can enter yourself, enter your team, or nominate someone you admire. Whether it is a young player finding her feet, a volunteer holding a club together, a referee breaking barriers or a team punching above its weight, every story deserves to be told.
The ceremony will once again be hosted by UTV sports personality, golfer and hockey player Ruth Gorman, promising a high-profile and uplifting night dedicated to women in sport.
Local Women magazine and online editor, Kim Kelly, said “These awards exist to recognise the women and girls who so often go unnoticed despite giving everything to their sport. From international athletes to grassroots coaches, referees and volunteers, there are incredible stories in every community. If you know a sportswoman or a team who deserves recognition, put them forward. This night belongs to them.”
The Shandon Hotel & Spa, Donegal will serve as headline sponsor for 2026, continuing its long-standing commitment to supporting women in sport.
Carolynne Murray, Director and General Manager of The Shandon Hotel & Spa, Donegal, said: “The Shandon Hotel & Spa has had a long-running association with women’s sport, sponsoring a number of teams and individual sportswomen over the years.
“Female sports teams regularly use our facilities and location for group weekends and bonding sessions, taking advantage of our spa overlooking the beach at Marble Hill.
“We are therefore delighted to be the title sponsor of the localwomensport.com awards 2026, demonstrating our commitment to promoting and enhancing female sport in the region. We are proud and honoured to be involved and look forward to an evening dedicated to raising the profile of women in sport.”
Entries are now open, with nominations welcomed from every sport and every community.
If you know a player, coach, referee, volunteer or team who deserves their moment in the spotlight, now is the time to act.
Full details on categories and how to enter are available at https://localwomensport.com/local-women-sport-ni-awards-2026/
Carolynne Murray, Director and General Manager of awards headline sponsor, The Shandon Hotel & Spa, Donegal, and Kim Kelly, Local Women magazine and online editor
