Lia McKenzie: Ballyclare RFC
Tell us about your role.
I am part of a great coaching team at Ballyclare Rugby Club that is involved in coaching girls and boys through mini rugby. This entails planning weekly sessions for the kids along with the other coaches, setting up the pitch before the kids arrive and leading the sessions. We work on developing the children’s individual and team skills whilst ensuring everyone is safe and, of course, having as much fun as possible! We are always looking at fun and innovative ways of coaching new skills, as well as forming positive relationships with both the children and their parents so as to ensure they are getting everything they can out of our sessions.
Why did you get involved in volunteering?
I have always been a very sporty person. In school I always had a go at everything but was mostly focused on athletics and shooting. Towards the end of my school journey, we started to play girls' tag rugby, this was something that I really enjoyed but I never really did any extra than what was offered. Throughout university, I shot to a very high level so never really thought about doing anything else, although, the camaraderie and the buzz of rugby always appealed to me!
After graduating with a Sports Development degree from Cardiff Metropolitan University, when I came back to Northern Ireland to do a Masters degree in Communications and Public Relations, I didn’t really know what to be doing with my spare time. I pursued coaching as a result of my desire to encourage young children to participate in sport and physical activity in the hope that they would achieve many of the benefits that I have personally realised by being actively involved in sport from a young age.
I knew the President of Ballyclare Rugby Club, so I contacted him to ask if there were any volunteering opportunities at the club and he then put me in contact with the Mini Rugby Convenor who invited me down one Saturday morning to ask me which year group I would like to coach. I chose the P1s as I liked the idea of being able to progress through their journey with them all the way up to P7.
Since I started, whilst the children have certainly learnt new skills, I have as well; my coaching and communication skills have developed, not to mention my confidence!
A highlight of mine would have been volunteering at the Annual Wooden Spoon Ulster International Tag Rugby Festival for people with a learning disability. It was so uplifting to see so many people enjoying playing rugby and being there as part of a team cheering each other on.
I have recently started playing rugby at Queens University Rugby Club in order to develop my skills that will transfer to my coaching as the children start to progress through the age groups, especially when it comes to when they are learning to play full contact rugby – and I enjoy playing too of course!
As a member of the Ulster Rugby Youth Forum, I am able to put forward my thoughts and ideas relating to the strengths of youth rugby in Ulster as well as ways in which it could be improved. I have been given opportunities to work alongside the GAA and IFA in cross-community initiatives; something which I think is really important. Being a member of this forum has helped to build my confidence and develop my knowledge of domestic rugby in Ulster.
Why would you recommend volunteering at Ballyclare?
Ballyclare Rugby Club is one of the most welcoming, friendly and inclusive clubs to be volunteer and be involved with – I always feel valued. They provide plenty of opportunities to develop your coaching by offering coaching courses and allowing you to take part in different roles within the club. Everyone is very approachable and always has time to chat and share ideas. It is a lovely club to be a part of, with such great members, children and parents! I would highly recommend anybody, if you’re interested in rugby, be it playing or coaching to come down to Ballyclare and chat to someone to give it a go – you’ll be welcomed with open arms!
