Tell us a bit about yourself.
I have played at Lurgan my whole life and I have been volunteering on numerous committees within the club for around 7 years. I also work professionally writing funding bids for sports clubs and community-based organisations.
How did you get involved in volunteering in sport?
I have played rugby since I was young, and I was asked to join our rugby section committee when I was 20 and have filled various roles on several committees ever since.
What is your volunteering role within the club?
I am the Play Representative on the Rugby Section committee and the Rugby Section Representative on the Club Management committee. I am also the member of the Development sub-committee.
What does your role entail?
Rugby Section committee – I am responsible for voicing opinions of senior players to the committee and contributing to the running of the rugby section of our club.
Management committee – I voice the opinions of the rugby section on club-wide issues. I take care of all grant and funding applications writing and correspondence.
Development subcommittee - My role is to apply for funding opportunities for projects to run at and improve the club.
What attracted you to the role?
Helping make the club a better place and more effective at what we do. The longer I have been in these roles, the more effective I feel in making meaningful change at the club. There were also no young people on the committees when I first joined.
How long have you been volunteering in sports and has it always been in this role?
7 years as a committee member. I have been on the rugby section for 7 years and the management section for over 4 years now.
Did you have any rugby experience before you started volunteering?
Yes, I have been a player at Lurgan for 18 years and continue to play for the 1st XV.
Do you think it’s essential to have rugby experience to volunteer in your role or can anyone do it?
Rugby experience helps a lot, as you have a good understanding of the structures, processes and aims of the club. In my rugby section role specifically, rugby experience is essential, as I represent the senior players at the club. In the management committee it is more aimed at the overall running of the club, so rugby experience is not essential.
Why did you decide to volunteer in your club?
To help those who are currently on the committee and to start improving the club for people of my age. This has evolved into aiming to improve every aspect of the club. As time went on, my focus became more about funding and capital improvements.
Have you gained any new skills through volunteering?
Yes. Being on committees, I have developed my diplomacy and conflict resolution skills, as there are a few differing opinions on many matters. Also, the ability to compromise, as there are 2 different sports at our club and we must work together, which means not always getting our way, but seeing the value in working with the cricket section.
Has volunteering improved your confidence?
Yes, I have been the youngest on all the committees, and it has led to working with successful business people within these committees. I have gained their respect from a young age and am very confident in giving them my opinion, regardless of age or standing.
Has volunteering in sport lead to any other opportunities either in sport or outside of sport?
Yes, it has enabled me to secure a job in working with sports clubs and community organisations. I have now been in this job for 4 years.
Has volunteering in sport impacted positively on your life?
Yes. It gives me great fulfilment when delivering a project or change in the club that positively impacts a lot of people. I get to work with some great people on a weekly basis and has increased my knowledge and respect of how the club has run.
Have you had any volunteering highlights?
Being presented clubman of the year.