Following on from Ulster Rugby's Volunteers' Week celebrations, we will be continuing to profile some of the outstanding rugby volunteers and highlight the tremendous work carried out by them.
In this week’s profile we will focus on Gary Donald, Head Coach of Ballymena Bears special needs tag rugby team.
Gary first began volunteering at Ballymena RFC in 2002 when his eldest son took an interest in rugby, and over the next 14 years he has acted as both a coach and Head Coach for the club’s Rascals (P1 & P2) and Maxi’s and also served as club Mini convenor.
Gary has been in position as Head Coach of the Ballymena Bears since they were formed in 2012 and he also currently holds the role of Club Welfare Officer.
As Head Coach of the Ballymena Bears, Gary’s role involves co-ordinating a team of dedicated coaches and helpers to ensure the team are well prepared and everything runs to plan. Gary also manages the administration of the team, which includes ensuring policies are up to date and player registrations are completed. Gary also helps organise social and fun-raising events for the team, which are vital for encouraging team bonding and also providing the necessary financial support. Gary has helped build a squad of 24 players, all of whom participate on a regular basis, and took part in tours to Telford and Limerick over the past two seasons respectively, of which Gary has acknowledged as among his personal highlights.
For a number of years Gary has also regularly attended Ulster Branch meetings as part of the Disability Advisory Group (DAG) to assist with the development of special needs games and shape IRFU decision making on them.
A dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer, Gary feels that there is particular satisfaction to be taken from coaching special needs teams:
“From my coaching experience I think that the special needs team is the most rewarding group that I have worked with. To see the joy of the players participating and the effort they put in would warm your heart and bring sunshine to even the darkest of days. It is also fantastic to see the pride that it brings to their family and friends watching them.”
Gary also has some sound advice for anyone considering getting involved in volunteering:
“I think they hardest part of volunteering is taking the first step; once you’ve taken it you’ll wonder why it took you so long!”
If you would like to get involved in volunteering at your local club or would like to be featured in our Volunteer Focus series please contact Kerry Spence, Ulster Rugby Volunteer and Policy Development Officer on volunteer@ulsterrugby.com
In this week’s profile we will focus on Gary Donald, Head Coach of Ballymena Bears special needs tag rugby team.
Gary first began volunteering at Ballymena RFC in 2002 when his eldest son took an interest in rugby, and over the next 14 years he has acted as both a coach and Head Coach for the club’s Rascals (P1 & P2) and Maxi’s and also served as club Mini convenor.
Gary has been in position as Head Coach of the Ballymena Bears since they were formed in 2012 and he also currently holds the role of Club Welfare Officer.
As Head Coach of the Ballymena Bears, Gary’s role involves co-ordinating a team of dedicated coaches and helpers to ensure the team are well prepared and everything runs to plan. Gary also manages the administration of the team, which includes ensuring policies are up to date and player registrations are completed. Gary also helps organise social and fun-raising events for the team, which are vital for encouraging team bonding and also providing the necessary financial support. Gary has helped build a squad of 24 players, all of whom participate on a regular basis, and took part in tours to Telford and Limerick over the past two seasons respectively, of which Gary has acknowledged as among his personal highlights.
For a number of years Gary has also regularly attended Ulster Branch meetings as part of the Disability Advisory Group (DAG) to assist with the development of special needs games and shape IRFU decision making on them.
A dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer, Gary feels that there is particular satisfaction to be taken from coaching special needs teams:
“From my coaching experience I think that the special needs team is the most rewarding group that I have worked with. To see the joy of the players participating and the effort they put in would warm your heart and bring sunshine to even the darkest of days. It is also fantastic to see the pride that it brings to their family and friends watching them.”
Gary also has some sound advice for anyone considering getting involved in volunteering:
“I think they hardest part of volunteering is taking the first step; once you’ve taken it you’ll wonder why it took you so long!”
If you would like to get involved in volunteering at your local club or would like to be featured in our Volunteer Focus series please contact Kerry Spence, Ulster Rugby Volunteer and Policy Development Officer on volunteer@ulsterrugby.com