Munster Rugby Appointed SDG Champion For 2025-2027

Munster Rugby has been appointed an SDG Champion as part of the national SDG Champions Programme for 2025-2027, alongside 19 other organisations selected from more than 90 applicants across Ireland.

The programme, led by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, is about showing that the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are for everyone, and that progress happens through partnership and participation.

Munster Rugby’s Sustainability Lead, Laura Lahiff, accepted the appointment from Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien, at the official launch in Dublin this week.

This is a new challenge for the club, and for Irish Rugby, and one Munster is taking on the same way it approaches everything else: with collective effort.

What are the SDGs?

The SDGs are a blueprint, a shared game plan for building a fairer, healthier, more resilient world – guiding how communities, organisations and people can work together and leave no one behind.

Why This Matters at Munster

Much of what Munster Rugby already does connects naturally to the Goals – from health, physical activity and wellbeing, to diversity and inclusion, education, community development, decent work and partnerships. We’re also starting to build stronger links to areas like climate action and responsible consumption.

Like rugby, this is a learning journey. We won’t have everything figured out from day one, but progress happens when people move together. At its core, it’s about identity, belonging, resilience and looking after each other, maximising our impact and leading by example, as part of the club’s culture of collective effort. We will be inviting supporters and communities to help shape it, and see where it leads.

Minister for Climate, Energy & Environment Darragh O’Brien with representatives of the 20 SDG Champions selected for 2025-2027.

Across the six counties, from grassroots clubs and schools to big matchdays, Munster Rugby has always been about collective effort. SDG Champions brings that same mindset to wider challenges in communities, breaking them down into things we can work on together.

What Happens Next

This isn’t a big, polished campaign, it’s a starting point. Over the coming months, we’ll map what we’re doing, build partnerships, and invite supporters, clubs, schools, partners, sponsors, universities and community groups to get involved. There’ll be practical actions, shared stories, and chances to take part – grounded, local, and very Munster.

SDG Champions at Munster Rugby kicks off in 2026.

Get Involved

If you’d like to connect or explore collaboration as part of SDG Champions, contact:

Laura Lahiff, Sustainability Lead, Munster Rugby lauralahiff@munsterrugby.ie