Sporting Patrons

Since the inception of GOAL, stars from the world of sport have been unfailingly generous in giving their time, energy and public profile to highlight the plight of the poorest of the poor and the work that GOAL is doing to help them.

When the well-known sports presenter Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh visited GOAL’s projects in Calcutta, he was moved by the spirit of the people and saw what a difference the work of GOAL made to their lives. Seeing first hand how much can be achieved for so little, O Muircheartaigh commented: ‘you can really see where your donations are going here. It makes you realise what a difference even a small amount can make. While there is unbelievable poverty, there is also progress when you see how many street children are helped by GOAL.’

Kilkenny hurling star, DJ Carey is a long time supporter of GOAL’s work and has also spent time in Calcutta, where he was profoundly moved by the plight of the children in GOAL’s schools, night shelters and drop-in centres. Carey said on his return from Calcutta: ‘the difference that GOAL makes to the lives of the thousands of street children in their various projects is incredible. They are literally being rescued from lives of squalor and being given a chance of life.’

Former Wimbledon champion, Pat Cash is president of GOAL UK. He was inspired by his visit to Calcutta and said that the message he brought home was one of hope:
‘Having seen what GOAL and its local partners are achieving in Calcutta, I am convinced that if their methods were adopted throughout the developing world, huge inroads into the problems of poverty could be made' remarked rugby international Shane Byrne following his visit to Calcutta.

 

Former World Number One Tennis Player Mats Wilander is President of GOAL USA, while Former Wimbledon Champion Pat Cash is President of GOAL UK.

Some of our other distinguished patrons include: Ken Doherty, Brian O’Driscoll, Gordon D'Arcy, Keith Wood, Sonia O’Sullivan, John McEnroe, Andy Murray, Ken Egan, Luke Fitzgerald, Sean Cavanagh, Paddy Barnes, Niall Quinn, Peter Canavan, Padraig Harrington, Victor Costello, Andy Reid, John O’Shea, Seán Óg Ó Hailpín, Brian Kerr, Maurice Fitzgerald, Roy Keane, Hugo MacNeill, Sean Kelly, Stephen Roche, Peter Fleming, Shane Byrne, Eamon Coghlan, Catherina McKiernan, Joe Connolly, Eddie Jordan, Seamus Moynihan, Michael Carruth, Sean Boylan, Charlie Swan, Brian Whelehan, Ron Delany, Kevin Moran, Yannick Noah, Fergus Slattery, Paul McGrath, Frank O’Meara, Ray McLoughlin, Anthony Molloy, Steve Scott, Eddie Keher, Brian Corcoran, Babs Keating, Barry McGuigan, Dr Jack Kyle, Liam Tuohy, Jack Charlton, Matt Doyle, Barry John, Tony Ward, Denis Irwin, Darren Clarke, John Treacy, Gary O'Toole, Marcus O’Sullivan, Des Smyth, Steve Collins, Claire Hourihane, Brian McEniff, Niall O’Toole, Moss Keane, Joachim Nystrom, Paul Mc Ginley, Steve Cram, David O'Leary, Sean Sorensen, Liam Griffin, Gillian O’Sullivan, Kieran Mc Donald.

“GOAL’s work in Calcutta concentrates around the children and getting them either educated or out of danger at least. The one thing about all Indian children, and everyone says it, is that they as stunning. The amount of times I had to ask people how they kept their teeth so white – everywhere we went there were beaming smiles looking back as us…If there’s one thing Calcutta shows you is that kids resilience is enormous and if you give them any kind of reprieve from the hardships they’ll bounce back.”