Tell us a bit about yourself.
I'm 28, work as a GIS Data Analyst for the Education Authority and live in Portstewart. I am married to Eugene who plays in the CVRFC 1st XV. I am not sporty at all but enjoy watching rugby and I also do some motorsport as a navigator at circuit rallies. I really enjoy travelling and am a total foodie. I'm also musical and play the piano, bagpipes and pipe organ. I take any opportunity that comes my way as I love learning new skills and meeting new people and challenging myself.
How did you get involved in volunteering in sport?
Through my husband. When we started dating in 2017, I started going to watch his matches and noticed that they were rarely photographed. I offered to take photos at away matches for the Club and became a regular photographer. After a few years, I was approached about helping the Hon Secretary with admin tasks and so I joined the Committee. After a couple of months, I was asked to take over as Hon Secretary and I've been in the post since May 2022.
What is your volunteering role within the club?
Hon. Secretary and Photographer
What does your role entail?
I deal with all correspondence in and out of the Club through emails and phone calls. I communicate with visiting clubs to organise their trips to our Club and to answer any queries they have. I monitor the club email inbox and disseminate the emails to the appropriate personnel in the Club. I send out official invitations to Club events and respond to any invitations our President receives. I organise monthly Committee meetings and produce the agenda and minutes for each meeting. I keep the Club calendar updated. I produce reports for red card hearings and attend disciplinary hearings when necessary. I also take photos at senior games.
What attracted you to the role?
I was looking for a new volunteering role and liked the idea of getting more involved in the rugby club my husband was so passionate about. The rugby community was also so welcoming, and I really wanted to share my skills with the Club to help them grow.
How long have you been volunteering in sports and has it always been in this role?
I have been volunteering since 2017 and I initially volunteered as a photographer before helping the Hon Secretary with admin.
Did you have any Rugby experience before you started volunteering?
No, none at all!
Do you think it’s essential to have rugby experience to volunteer in your role or can anyone do it?
No, there's a volunteering role out there to suit everyone's skill set. Rugby experience is not always necessary for your role.
Why did you decide to volunteer in your club?
I wanted to get more involved in the Club as the community was so welcoming and fun.
Have you gained any new skills through volunteering?
I have really improved my action photography skills through years of photographing in different weather situations. I have also gained leadership and communication skills through helping to chair committee meetings.
Has volunteering improved your confidence, if so, how?
Yes, I am confident in my abilities to do my role well and due to having to communicate with a range of stakeholders from sponsors to other volunteers, I have really grown confident in my communication skills.
Has volunteering in sport led to any other opportunities either in sport or outside of sport?
Yes, I was fortunate to take part in the IRFU Spirit of Rugby Leadership programme and have made so many friends from clubs across the country through this. I also learnt so much through the programme and gained more passion for my volunteering role. I've also had the chance to attend the Ulster Rugby Awards night which was a fun experience.
Has volunteering in sport impacted positively on your life?
Yes, it's made me more confident and given me so many new skills. I have met many new people and made lots of friends through the role. I have also found a real passion for rugby and for seeing our rugby thrive and I thoroughly enjoy being involved in the Clogher Valley community.
Have you had any volunteering highlights?
The second weekend of the IRFU Spirit of Rugby Leadership programme where it felt like a reunion with friends and I met some really inspiring people in rugby including senior IRFU personnel and professional women’s rugby players.
What would you tell other people who would like to get involved in Rugby but who don’t play or have no experience in rugby?
Don't let that put you off, there will be a role that's perfectly suited to your skill set and you'll find so much enjoyment and fulfilment through your involvement in the rugby community. And it's lots of fun!