Irish News Club & Volunteer Awards
For 12 years, the renowned Irish News Club & Volunteer Awards have sought to reward selfless commitment.
Launched in 2003, the scheme has been a resounding success and has at its heart the aim to recognise and celebrate the work and dedication of GAA volunteers across the province of Ulster.
The scheme also rewards schools in the province who carry out such important work at grass roots level to promote Gaelic games.
In addition to the separate club and schools awards, a special award, introduced last year, which highlights the link between GAA clubs and schools has been retained. This special recognition category is open to both schools and clubs.
There is also a new award introduced for 2014 which is a Young Volunteer Award. This category will illustrate and promote the excellent volunteer work that our young people are involved in within clubs and schools.
Ulster GAA President, Martin McAviney has highlighted the value of the scheme and has called upon clubs and schools to make their nominations.
“It is a privilege to endorse and offer the full support of Ulster GAA to the Irish News Club and Volunteer Awards Scheme. Ulster GAA has a strong partnership with the Irish News and I would encourage Clubs and Schools to enter this years competition and also ask Clubs to nominate your volunteers for recognition which is important and I look forward to the awards ceremony in May, he said.”
Irish News Editor, Noel Doran , “It is important that we empower young people with the right skill sets for life and work and by involving themselves in a club they will gain vital experience”.
The winner in each club category will be awarded a £1,000 cheque, £1,000 of O’Neills Sportswear vouchers and a full-page club profile in The Irish News. There will also be a highly commended winner in each category, who will be awarded a £500 cheque.
The winning volunteer in each category will win a £100 Irish News Readers Holidays voucher plus £100 O’Neills Sportswear vouchers.
The winning primary and second level school will each receive a £1,000 cheque and £500 of O’Neills Sportswear vouchers plus a full-page profile in The Irish News.
The awards are structured to allow clubs with similar membership numbers to compete together and will be categorised as small, medium and large. The same criteria will apply for the volunteer awards.
Submitted entries will be accepted only on the official application form, copies of which can be downloaded from www.irishnews.com/clubawards. Support material is not permitted. The closing date for submission is 12pm on Friday, April 19.
Queries in relation to the awards should be made in writing by email to clubawards@irishnews.com or by post to Irish News Marketing Department, 113-117 Donegall Street, Belfast, BT1 2GE.
