Philip Gordon, who has been named as the recipient of the 2023 Roscommon Volunteer in Sport award, is pictured giving instructions to a group of anglers with the Lough Ree Lanesborough Angling Hub.

Philip is winner of Roscommon Volunteer in Sport award

A renowned angling coach who has given over 30 years of service to anglers in the Athlone, Ballyleague and Lanesborough areas has been named as the recipient of the 2023 Roscommon Volunteer in Sport award.

Philip Gordon, who is a chef in The Melting Pot cafe in Roscommon town, has been honoured for his three decades of service to the Lough Ree Lanesborough Angling Hub, where he is hugely popular not just with local anglers from across the Midlands, but also with visiting anglers from overseas.

Philip will join volunteers from around the country at a national awards ceremony in Dublin on Thursday of next week, February 29, which will be addressed by special guest speaker, Minister Thomas Byrne, Minster of State with responsibility for Sport and Physical Education.

As well as being an accomplished angler, Philip Gordon has given hugely dedicated service as a volunteer to anglers in Athlone, Ballyleague and Lanesborough, and he was singled out for the Roscommon Volunteer in Sport award for his “outstanding contribution” to the sport of anglingm in particular in the area of youth coaching.

The 2023 Volunteers in Sport Awards attracted a record-breaking number of entries, with nominations from over 50 different sporting disciplines highlighting the widespread impact of volunteering ranging from mass participation sports to new and emerging sports.

The awards ceremony in Dublin next week will honour the recipients of awards from all 32 counties who have demonstrated commitment and dedication, serving as role models within their communities and inspiring others to get involved in sports volunteering.

In addition to the county individuals being recognised, including Philip Gordon, next week's awards ceremony will also honour one exceptional individual who will be awarded the overall Outstanding Volunteer Award.

In a message on their Facebook page, The Melting Pot in Roscommon paid tribute to Philip Gordon with the following message: “Our Chef, Philip. Well done. A totally deserved award.”

The 2023 Volunteers in Sport Awards is supported by the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships, and aims to recognise the depth and breadth of volunteering in sporting communities nationwide and the vital role of volunteers in advancing sports participation and community development.