Damian Kennedy

Damian decided to open a boxing club with two friends in their local area in Toomebridge in the 1990s. The club served as more than just sports arena but became the heartbeat of the local community, helping kids from the local area to stay out of trouble and give them a sense of achievement. His approach to boxing centres around a combination of technical excellence and the importance of both mental and physical preparation.

He was appointed as the Head Coach for Team Northern Ireland at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and has had a monumental impact on the success of the Northern Irish team. Prior to 2022, Northern Ireland had 13 golds, 19 silvers and 29 bronze medals and Damian has helped increase that to 18 golds, 20 silver and 30 bronze.

Kennedy also played a crucial role in helping Ireland qualify 10 boxers for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Damian said: “Winning gold at this year’s Olympics is testament to the incredible transformation that Irish boxing has undergone over the past decade, and the hard work that both coaches and athletes have put in. With support from The National Lottery, we’ve not only been able to create Olympians but be there for ordinary kids growing up who need the sense of belonging that being part of a boxing club brings. Boxing clubs across Ireland are the heartbeat of communities and it is great that this is being recognised.”