Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m 34 and have lived in Ballymoney for five years; I moved here the month before the Covid-19 pandemic hit so I had no option but to settle in. After I graduated I moved to England and taught there for five years before making the decision to come back home. I’m a Bellaghy girl so life in the Toon has taken a little bit of getting used to!
How did you get involved in volunteering in sport?
Four years ago I was warmly welcomed into Ballymoney RFC. I started following the 1st XV team initially, travelling to their Away games as well as attending their Home fixtures. A friend handed me their camera and asked me to have a go at taking a few photos while they videoed the game and the rest is, as they say, history.
What is your volunteering role within the club?
Public Relations Officer
What does your role entail?
As PR Officer for the club, I manage a wide range of communications and media responsibilities that support all sections of the club. I oversee and update our social media platforms, ensuring consistent, engaging content that reflects the energy and achievements of our teams. I work closely with our sponsors to guarantee they receive the visibility and recognition their support deserves, both online and in print.
Each week, I coordinate press activities, including editing match reports, compiling results, and submitting content to the local newspaper, ensuring the club maintains a strong presence in the wider community. I interview players to share their stories, highlight accomplishments, and build a stronger connection between the club and its supporters, through feature pieces on our social channels.
Where possible, I attend matches across all age groups, from Mini Rugby, Youth Boys/Girls, Ballymoney Blue Jays and Senior Rugby, to capture photos and moments that can be shared across our platforms. I also create original content tailored to different audiences, helping grow the club’s profile and strengthen our community ties.
At the end of each season I update our Player Appearances’ records to allow us to recognise players who hit certain milestones throughout the season e.g. 300 appearances.
How long have you been volunteering in sports and has it always been in this role?
I’ve been with Ballymoney RFC for four years and have been volunteering for three of those. It started out within the PR team, taking photos of the 1st XV matches and after a year I stepped into the role of PRO.
Why do you volunteer?
Volunteering as the PR Officer for our rugby club gives me a real sense of community. It’s about more than just promoting the game; it’s about being part of a team that supports each other, celebrates every win (on and off the pitch), and works together to help the club grow. I’ve gained new skills, built great friendships, and feel very much part of a community.
Do you think it’s essential to have rugby experience to volunteer in your role or can anyone do it?
Definitely not - my rugby experience was extremely limited to watch the Six Nations from the comfort of my living room. In a thriving Club like Ballymoney, there’s opportunities for anyone to get involved; to use and develop their skills and confidence.
What makes your club a great place to volunteer?
It’s a country/rural Rugby club with a real family-feel, sense of community about it. It’s also thriving and going through a period of huge change and development. A very exciting time to get involved!
Has volunteering improved your life?
Definitely, 100%. There have been times where, following a pretty stressful or intense day at work, I’ve headed out to video or photography an evening match or training session, which is probably the last thing I wanted to do. But an hour outside with fresh air, chatting to people, having a laugh or a bit of craic, and I arrive home feeling much lighter. That in itself is a huge positive for me!
What would you tell other people who would like to get involved in volunteering but don’t have any rugby experience?
Contact someone at your local Club and find out how you can help. They might need an extra pair of hands with catering for a Youth game or help in registering new players. You don’t need to put on a pair of boots and coach a team if that’s not your area of expertise!