Volunteering is a great way to gain skills, meet new people, give something back to your community and have fun in the process. Young people have a lot to both contribute, and gain from getting involved as a volunteer in their local rugby club.
- Are you aged 14-24 and interested in volunteering at your local rugby club?
- Are you aged 14-24 and already involved in a volunteer role at a rugby club?
- Would your club like to involve more young volunteers?
- Would you like to provide better support to your young volunteers?
GoldMark is a simple programme, led by Volunteer Now, where young volunteers are asked to complete a record book. This helps you keep track of how many hours you have volunteered as well as giving you a place to make a note of training you have completed and skills you have developed, this comes in handy when filling out UCAS or job applications.
Ulster Rugby are GoldMark delivery partners, alongside Ulster GAA and the Irish FA, and your hard work is recognised through certificates for your first 50, 100 and 200 hours of volunteering. The 200 hour certificate is an Award of Excellence and as such, is signed by the Minister of Education.
Clubs benefit from taking part in the programme as it provides them with a framework that helps them to give effective support to young volunteers. It also gives them an easy way to reward and recognise the contributions that young volunteers make to the club.
To get involved or for more information contact Kerry Spence (Volunteer & Policy Development Officer) on 028 9049 3111 (ext 230) or email volunteer@ulsterrugby.com
Photo caption: Jasmine Parkes from Portadown Panthers is pictured receiving her 200 hour Award at the 2016 awards evening, along with Ulster Rugby player Paul Marshall, IRFU Ulster Branch President Bobby Stewart and Jane Gribben (Volunteer Now).