For Volunteers Week 2020 (1 – 7 June), organised as a partnership between Volunteer Now in Northern Ireland alongside NCVO, Volunteer Scotland and Wales Council for Voluntary Action, Ulster Rugby will be showcasing some of our outstanding rugby volunteers and highlighting the great work carried out by these individuals across the province.
Schools' GoldMark Volunteer: Tom Neill
Tom is one of Ulster Rugby’s many Schools' GoldMark Volunteers. He started volunteering through his school to submit weekly E-team sheets for the school’s rugby team, which not only helps IRFU (Ulster Branch) with recording age grade player numbers, but also helps the Rugby Master with this administrative tasks, which Tom is able to fit around his school work.
The great benefit about this volunteering programme is that students who volunteer can get their volunteering hours recognised through the GoldMark Programme, which students can use when filling out job applications, CVs and UCAS forms.
Commenting on his volunteering, Tom said, “I have been doing my Ulster Rugby Volunteering since October and have really been enjoying it. I have been doing the team sheets for the Ballyclare High School Under 14 team ahead of the games and it is a great thing to do on a Friday night. It really focuses me and makes me think about where everyone plays and their role in the team. I can also relate this when I watch Ulster play and think about some of the moves we have and how we play as a team. It has been great to go and watch Ulster play this season and we have also watched Ulster A. I think the whole volunteering improves my game and how I think about rugby and Ulster rugby in particular”.
Ballyclare High School's Rugby Master, Mr Orchin-McKeever added, "I am delighted to be on board as a school with the Goldmark programme. It has offered the opportunity for personal development for our student Tom, with regards to developing computer skills and communication skills and managing his own time in order to have team sheets completed and submitted in a timely manner. On a personal note it has taken a small task off my weekly list although I do still review and check that all has been completed.
"Tom is embracing the programme and is enjoying being an Ulster Rugby Volunteer."
For more information about the GoldMark Programme please contact
nicci.wilson@ulsterrugby.com.
