The IRFU Ulster Branch has recently welcomed on board two new members of staff - David Johnston and Kerry Spence - as part of the 'Sport in the Community' programme funded by the Department of Social Development.

DAVID JOHNSTON

David has joined the organisation as Club & Community Development Officer. He was previously employed by Copius, a Management Consultancy firm in Belfast, before which he studied Sport Science at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown.

“I was lucky enough to be offered a full time job there after I graduated. The bread and butter of the company is based on funding; helping groups in the community and voluntary sector to gain funding. I worked with sports clubs previously, including rugby clubs, so I’ve got good relationships with some of the clubs already.

“I also provided support on governance, management support, gift aid and setting them up as charities or CASCs (Community Amateur Sports Clubs).

Describing his new role, David said: “Helping clubs to secure funding is a major part of it. Previously I would have had a hands on approach but now I’m trying to empower the rugby clubs to apply themselves. ‘Welcoming Clubs’ is an IRFU initiative that provides a roadmap of training for the team off the field so that they can run their sports club as efficiently as possible, so I am also working on that.

“As part of the ‘Sport in the Community’ DSD programme, I also organise training and development events for clubs or good relations events with the other sporting national governing bodies. Last month we held a joint good relations event with the IFA and GAA, promoting our ‘Game of Three Halves’ initiative, which went really well.”

To find out more about David's work, or to see how he can help you club, please email David.Johnston@ulsterrugby.com.

KERRY SPENCE

With growing rugby participation levels in Ulster, the challenge to increase the number of volunteers is apparent. Kerry Spence, who has joined the Ulster Branch as Volunteer & Policy Development Officer, is tasked with tackling that challenge.

Kerry has 16 years’ experience working with Mencap, where in recent years she acted as their Volunteer Coordinator, establishing their policies and systems for volunteers. Kerry is a massive rugby fan and is delighted to be on board: “I volunteer in Dungannon on a Sunday morning with the special needs group (Stevenson Sharkies) and I just got really into rugby. I’ve got Craig Gilroy as an ambassador and it’s nice to have a bit of profile for that.”

Commenting on her new role, Kerry said: “There are lots of strands to it but it’s really about strengthening the ability of the Ulster Branch and their affiliated clubs in relation to volunteering. I’m trying to make volunteering more professional. At the minute there are people who come along and do something and there’s no formality to it, where really there should be for good practice. Organisations should do Access NI checks and not just take everybody who wants to be a volunteer. It should meet the needs of the volunteer and the needs of the organisation.

“At the minute the biggest thing I’ve been working on is getting our volunteer registration forms developed because there are a couple of roles that existing staff are keen to get up and running. I’ve been working with Jonny Davis to get a Volunteer Strength & Conditioning Coach and with Alistair Brown and Allen Clarke to get a Volunteer Mental Skills Coach. That’s really interesting getting those roles up and running.

“Part of the DSD project is to get a Volunteer policy in place and get accreditation for ‘Investing in Volunteers’ by March next year. So I’m trying to get a working group together in order to achieve that.”

For advice and support on volunteering, please email Kerry.Spence@ulsterrugby.com.

DSD fund two new positions at Ulster Branch

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