Tell us a bit about yourself
I am married with 2 daughters Isla - 12 and Ella who is 8. We live outside Larne in the countryside and being originally from Belfast i have embraced the country lifestyle.
What tasks and responsibilities does your role involve?
Coaching the U12 girls, organising mini U10's and U12's blitz's, ladies and rugby committee member.
What attracted you to the role?
My daughter came to a Give it a Try session and then I started to get involved with coaching and then being involved in the committee side of things.
Why do you volunteer?
I volunteer to give something back and help to promote female rugby at Larne and the surrounding area. I love seeing the progression of the girls from the start of the season to the end. It's great seeing their confidence grow and enjoying playing rugby and developing those friendships with their teammates.
Did you have any rugby experience before you started volunteering?
I only played a bit at school and at my local rugby club. My school was more a football school. As I have got older, I have been more attracted to rugby as more inclusive sport with more opportunities for all abilities.
Do you think it is essential to have rugby experience e to volunteer in a club?
Definitely not. There are so many different roles at rugby clubs - secretary, event organisers, welfare officers, committee members to name bur a few. Even helping out occasionally is rewarding as well. Playing rugby is only 1 aspect of it. It's the community around the club that is equally important.
How would someone who is interested in volunteering in your club get involved?
Just reach out to a member of the club or attend a game or blitz. All clubs are always looking for volunteers.
Have you gained any new skills through volunteering in sport?
Yes, I am definitely more confident in group situations - when you have up to 20 children looking for direction you certainly become more confident in those situations. Also, I look after the social media for the ladies section so this has another skill which I have learnt. It has also helped my communication skills as you are always communicating with the girls throughout training and at matches/blitz's and always keeping parents updated with plans, dates and times of games etc.
Has volunteering improved your confidence?
Definitely. When you’re interacting with so many girls, coaches, parents and with different clubs it gives you more confidence and you become more organised as well