This week we sat down with Club Services Officer, Matthew Holmes to find out more about his role at Ulster Rugby...
Name: Matthew Holmes
Role: Club Services Officer
Email: matthew.holmes@ulsterrugby.com
Describe your role within Ulster Rugby?
My role is all about providing off-field support to our domestic clubs, linking with their committees and volunteers to focus on areas such as development planning, governance improvements, club structures, project development and accessing grant funding.
Describe your career / employment history?
I studied Sports Science and Psychology at university and luckily I got a job quite quickly in a consultancy role working with voluntary organisations, mainly sports clubs and charities. I was there for about four and a half years, and I suppose that helped me develop a pretty well-rounded knowledge around business and strategic planning, as well as developing project proposals and bids for grant aid. The post at Ulster Rugby was perfect for me as I love the sport and I seemed to have the skills they were looking for.
Favourite thing about your job?
I’m out and about a lot meeting club volunteers. There are some really interesting characters within the rugby community, but they all share the same enthusiasm to grow the opportunities available for people to play and enjoy the sport. They all love what they do, otherwise they wouldn’t be doing it, so the hard work they put in is motivating for me in my role to help them do things even better.
What do you enjoy most about working for Ulster Rugby?
I think Ulster Rugby has become really progressive in its thinking. There’s lots happening outside of the professional game we all see on TV, from peace projects to health initiatives. I think there is something for everyone. Clubs are also starting to follow suit, with many becoming the ‘hub’ in their community and getting new people through their doors. There’s also a great buzz around the office, and we always have a good laugh. Throw in the free brownies we get from Yellow Door now and again, it’s a pretty nice place to be.
What is your biggest achievement to date?
I don’t know if I have had any major achievements, but it’s refreshing to see clubs make improvements to what they do after spending some time with them. I’ve helped a couple of clubs secure sizeable pots of funding to run new programmes or improve their facilities, and I’m hopeful that list will continue to grow over the next few years.
What is the most challenging aspect of your role?
I think the biggest challenge is around dealing with club volunteers. Not because they are difficult to work with, but because they devote their free time to the game and club that they love. Naturally they have commitments elsewhere, so it’s important that I’m as flexible and accommodating as possible in providing them with support.
What are your plans/goals for the upcoming season?
The plan for 2018/19 is to roll out another block of our Club Development Programme. This is probably where I spend most of my time, as the programme is designed to offer intense support for a small batch of clubs to help them set up viable action plans linked to their aspirations. So, if you are part of a local club and think it could benefit from something like this (or anything else I’ve mentioned) don’t hesitate to give me a shout. We want more clubs to come forward to ask for help.
Who is your favourite Ulster player?
Would have to say Darren Cave.
Name: Matthew Holmes
Role: Club Services Officer
Email: matthew.holmes@ulsterrugby.com
Describe your role within Ulster Rugby?
My role is all about providing off-field support to our domestic clubs, linking with their committees and volunteers to focus on areas such as development planning, governance improvements, club structures, project development and accessing grant funding.
Describe your career / employment history?
I studied Sports Science and Psychology at university and luckily I got a job quite quickly in a consultancy role working with voluntary organisations, mainly sports clubs and charities. I was there for about four and a half years, and I suppose that helped me develop a pretty well-rounded knowledge around business and strategic planning, as well as developing project proposals and bids for grant aid. The post at Ulster Rugby was perfect for me as I love the sport and I seemed to have the skills they were looking for.
Favourite thing about your job?
I’m out and about a lot meeting club volunteers. There are some really interesting characters within the rugby community, but they all share the same enthusiasm to grow the opportunities available for people to play and enjoy the sport. They all love what they do, otherwise they wouldn’t be doing it, so the hard work they put in is motivating for me in my role to help them do things even better.
What do you enjoy most about working for Ulster Rugby?
I think Ulster Rugby has become really progressive in its thinking. There’s lots happening outside of the professional game we all see on TV, from peace projects to health initiatives. I think there is something for everyone. Clubs are also starting to follow suit, with many becoming the ‘hub’ in their community and getting new people through their doors. There’s also a great buzz around the office, and we always have a good laugh. Throw in the free brownies we get from Yellow Door now and again, it’s a pretty nice place to be.
What is your biggest achievement to date?
I don’t know if I have had any major achievements, but it’s refreshing to see clubs make improvements to what they do after spending some time with them. I’ve helped a couple of clubs secure sizeable pots of funding to run new programmes or improve their facilities, and I’m hopeful that list will continue to grow over the next few years.
What is the most challenging aspect of your role?
I think the biggest challenge is around dealing with club volunteers. Not because they are difficult to work with, but because they devote their free time to the game and club that they love. Naturally they have commitments elsewhere, so it’s important that I’m as flexible and accommodating as possible in providing them with support.
What are your plans/goals for the upcoming season?
The plan for 2018/19 is to roll out another block of our Club Development Programme. This is probably where I spend most of my time, as the programme is designed to offer intense support for a small batch of clubs to help them set up viable action plans linked to their aspirations. So, if you are part of a local club and think it could benefit from something like this (or anything else I’ve mentioned) don’t hesitate to give me a shout. We want more clubs to come forward to ask for help.
Who is your favourite Ulster player?
Would have to say Darren Cave.