Ballynahinch RFC and Ards RFC have become the latest clubs to receive awards for the high standards in their service delivery.
Prior to the Ireland versus Argentina International at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, Ballynahinch were presented with their IRFU Club Excellence Award, while Ards have this week gained recognition from the IRFU Ulster Branch and Sport NI with the prestigious Clubmark Accreditation. Both schemes promote best practice across a number of key areas such as effective management, community engagement, quality rugby provision and safeguarding.
Mervyn Boyd, President at Ballynahinch RFC commented: "To achieve the Club Excellence Award is a tremendous recognition for our Club here in Ballynahinch and I would like to especially thank our Honorary Secretary, Richard Hart, for working so hard to drive this project forward and all our volunteers who supported throughout."
Ballynahinch RFC are also currently working on delivering their Club Development Plan, and Philip Gregg, Club Chairman and Ulster Branch Junior Vice President, stated: "The Club Excellence Award underscores all our longer-term plans to ensure Ballynahinch RFC’s position as one of Ulster’s leading and progressive clubs both on and off the pitch. We are delighted to join the small number of clubs across the whole of Ireland who can now qualify to be a 'Club of Excellence'."
Commenting on their Clubmark Award, Honorary Secretary at Ards RFC Ian Wallace stated: "We are delighted to achieve the Clubmark accreditation, and the presentation of the award is the culmination of months of hard work reviewing all of our policies, procedures and practices, and in ensuring we are operating to the best possible standards. However, we aren't resting on our laurels, as we have set clear plans for the future which we want to deliver for our members and the wider community."
Matthew Holmes, Club Services Officer at the IRFU Ulster Branch has also noted: "Ballynahinch and Ards should be commended for their efforts in achieving these awards. Both clubs play a key role in the development of sport within their communities, and local people can take real confidence in knowing they provide quality environments for people to participate in and enjoy rugby."
For more information on either scheme, please contact Matthew.Holmes@ulsterrugby.com or David.McKay@ulsterrugby.com.
Commenting on their Clubmark Award, Honorary Secretary at Ards RFC Ian Wallace stated: "We are delighted to achieve the Clubmark accreditation, and the presentation of the award is the culmination of months of hard work reviewing all of our policies, procedures and practices, and in ensuring we are operating to the best possible standards. However, we aren't resting on our laurels, as we have set clear plans for the future which we want to deliver for our members and the wider community."
Matthew Holmes, Club Services Officer at the IRFU Ulster Branch has also noted: "Ballynahinch and Ards should be commended for their efforts in achieving these awards. Both clubs play a key role in the development of sport within their communities, and local people can take real confidence in knowing they provide quality environments for people to participate in and enjoy rugby."
For more information on either scheme, please contact Matthew.Holmes@ulsterrugby.com or David.McKay@ulsterrugby.com.