AirNav Ireland signs first title sponsorship of LGFA All-Ireland U-16 Championships

Ireland's air navigation service provider AirNav Ireland has been announced as the first-ever title sponsor of the LGFA All-Ireland U-16 Championships, in a three-year agreement covering the 2026 to 2028 seasons, as reported by the Ladies Gaelic Football Association.

The announcement marks a landmark moment for the LGFA, with the U-16 Championships receiving a title sponsor for the first time in their history, raising the profile and stature of one of the association's key underage competitions.

The deal comes as 12 counties prepare for the 2026 AirNav Ireland All-Ireland U-16 semi-finals, scheduled for 24 and 25 June, with finals across the A, B and C grades set for 14 and 15 July.

AirNav Ireland manages air traffic across 451,000 km² of Irish-controlled airspace, a crucial gateway for transatlantic flights between Europe and North America, and supports more than 160 million passengers annually.

LGFA president Trina Murray welcomed the partnership. "This partnership represents a significant investment in the future of Ladies Gaelic Football and will help us continue providing meaningful opportunities for young players to develop, compete and thrive," she said. "We greatly appreciate AirNav Ireland's commitment to supporting grassroots sport and empowering the next generation."

Rachel Martin, AirNav Ireland's head of corporate affairs and sustainability, said the sponsorship carried a clear talent pipeline objective. "This sponsorship provides an opportunity to raise awareness among young women of the skills and career opportunities available in air traffic management," she said. "Many of the qualities demonstrated by the players competing in these competitions, including teamwork, concentration, decision-making and communication, are also essential for air traffic controllers."

Martin added that AirNav Ireland hoped to encourage participants to explore careers in aviation. "By increasing awareness of the air traffic control profession, we hope to encourage many of the participants to explore these rewarding career opportunities," she said.

The partnership reflects a growing trend of infrastructure and public service organisations using sport sponsorship to build brand recognition, support community programmes and address workforce pipeline challenges in technical sectors.

Read the full announcement of AirNav Ireland's sponsorship of the LGFA All-Ireland U-16 Championships.