The recipients of the 2016 Ulster Rugby Volunteer Awards were each invited to collect their awards at Kingspan Stadium during the Guinness PRO12 Round 21 game against Leinster on Saturday 30th April.
Ulster Rugby introduced three new awards this year to recognise the tremendous contribution that volunteers make to our game in Ulster.
Arthur James - The Ulster Rugby Unsung Hero Award for 2015-16 in recognition of the tremendous commitment given to Larne RFC for over 50 years as a player, team captain, administrator, Club Treasurer and Assistant Groundsman.
Brian McNally - The Ulster Rugby Club and Community Volunteer Award for 2015-16 in recognition of the great work done for Inishowen RFC and the local community, developing the mini and youth structures in the club and taking club rugby into the schools and the local community.
Áine Doran – The Ulster Rugby Inspiring Young Volunteer Award for 2015-16 in recognition of the terrific work that she does for Randalstown RFC. Apart from playing for the Women’s team, her work as the PRO for the Youth section, team manager and assistant coach of the U18 Girls’ team and the Women’s team, she also finds the time to help coach in the mini section demonstrating tremendous commitment to the game and her club. Such is her commitment to her club, she was unable to attend to collect her award as one of her teams had made it to the Ulster Carpets U18 Plate Final.
Speaking to Arthur and Brian on the day, Kerry Spence, Ulster Rugby’s Volunteer and Policy Development Officer asked them about their roles, what they gained from volunteering and how they felt about receiving the award.
In response, Arthur joked that the biggest gain for him from volunteering was his wife who he met while she was also volunteering at the club. Treasurer for 36 years, helping out with the grounds as much as he could while still working full-time, he now commits over half of his week as Treasurer and Assistant Groundsman. He feels that he is giving back to the game and the club that has given him so much. He acknowledged that there are difficulties faced by clubs in attracting volunteers, "everyone is so busy, it is rare to get people who want to be on a committee".
Brian added to that sentiment, saying that he sometimes feels like he is hassling people to get involved but he says the benefits of volunteering are worth it, "You get great days, like today, but that isn’t every day. You have to work hard at it but you do get results out of it, you do get a reward. You get the satisfaction of seeing the boys playing the game and loving it, and it’s all down to a handful of people getting them there."
Both felt that the awards are a great initiative to recognise the hard work of club volunteers. While honoured to receive them in their inaugural year, they both acknowledged that it doesn’t just come down to one person; "It’s a great privilege but at the end of the day there are a lot more people than me who do a lot of work too - it’s just what we do."
If you would like to get involved in volunteering at your local rugby club please contact Kerry Spence by email on volunteer@ulsterrugby.com
Ulster Rugby introduced three new awards this year to recognise the tremendous contribution that volunteers make to our game in Ulster.
Arthur James - The Ulster Rugby Unsung Hero Award for 2015-16 in recognition of the tremendous commitment given to Larne RFC for over 50 years as a player, team captain, administrator, Club Treasurer and Assistant Groundsman.
Brian McNally - The Ulster Rugby Club and Community Volunteer Award for 2015-16 in recognition of the great work done for Inishowen RFC and the local community, developing the mini and youth structures in the club and taking club rugby into the schools and the local community.
Áine Doran – The Ulster Rugby Inspiring Young Volunteer Award for 2015-16 in recognition of the terrific work that she does for Randalstown RFC. Apart from playing for the Women’s team, her work as the PRO for the Youth section, team manager and assistant coach of the U18 Girls’ team and the Women’s team, she also finds the time to help coach in the mini section demonstrating tremendous commitment to the game and her club. Such is her commitment to her club, she was unable to attend to collect her award as one of her teams had made it to the Ulster Carpets U18 Plate Final.
Speaking to Arthur and Brian on the day, Kerry Spence, Ulster Rugby’s Volunteer and Policy Development Officer asked them about their roles, what they gained from volunteering and how they felt about receiving the award.
In response, Arthur joked that the biggest gain for him from volunteering was his wife who he met while she was also volunteering at the club. Treasurer for 36 years, helping out with the grounds as much as he could while still working full-time, he now commits over half of his week as Treasurer and Assistant Groundsman. He feels that he is giving back to the game and the club that has given him so much. He acknowledged that there are difficulties faced by clubs in attracting volunteers, "everyone is so busy, it is rare to get people who want to be on a committee".
Brian added to that sentiment, saying that he sometimes feels like he is hassling people to get involved but he says the benefits of volunteering are worth it, "You get great days, like today, but that isn’t every day. You have to work hard at it but you do get results out of it, you do get a reward. You get the satisfaction of seeing the boys playing the game and loving it, and it’s all down to a handful of people getting them there."
Both felt that the awards are a great initiative to recognise the hard work of club volunteers. While honoured to receive them in their inaugural year, they both acknowledged that it doesn’t just come down to one person; "It’s a great privilege but at the end of the day there are a lot more people than me who do a lot of work too - it’s just what we do."
If you would like to get involved in volunteering at your local rugby club please contact Kerry Spence by email on volunteer@ulsterrugby.com