About S'port for Grief

Our story

About S'port for Grief

S’port for Grief was founded by Ethan Levins and Giada Franzolini following the loss of Ethan’s father when he was 16 years old.

At the time, Ethan was playing League of Ireland football and was encouraged to use sport as an outlet. However, neither he nor his coaches knew how to navigate grief within that environment. His teammates were not told what had happened, and the sport he loved became a place where he felt he had to grieve alone.

That experience revealed a wider gap: sport can be a powerful source of routine, belonging and connection during loss, yet coaches, clubs and communities are rarely given the confidence or tools to respond when grief affects a player, family or team.

S’port for Grief was created to change that. Founded through Enactus TU Dublin, it works to build grief-aware sporting communities through education, practical resources and inclusive events.

Its purpose is simple: to ensure that no one has to go through grief alone in sport.

Ethan Levins

Founder & Director

Ethan knows first-hand what it feels like when sport stays silent about grief — and what it could be instead. He built S'port for Grief around a belief that shapes everything he does: you can't control what happens to you, but you can control what you build next.

Giada Franzolini

Co-Founder & Director

Giada brings to S'port for Grief a belief built through years in sport and coaching: clubs are communities that can make a real difference in people's lives. Her work focuses on helping those communities recognise grief, respond with care, and support people when they need it most.