Dungannon Clubs attracting New Volunteers
Ulster GAA and Clubs in Dungannon town are working together on a Pilot Project to attract new volunteers into clubs.
An introductory workshop, facilitated by Ulster GAA Volunteer Development Officer Sharon Haughey, took place on Thursday 17th February in Thomas Clarkes Club Rooms. There was a good attendance with representation from three Dungannon clubs, namely: Thomas Clarkes, Eoghan Ruadh and Edendork.
The workshop provided an overview of the Pilot Project which is being spearheaded by Volunteer Now and Ulster GAA is one of four partner organisations working on the project, alongside IFA, Ulster Rugby and the Equality Commission.
Dungannon has been selected as a target area as its one of the areas that’s been hardest hit in terms of unemployment during the economic downturn.
The aim of the project is to introduce young men to sports volunteering to enhance employability. Basically this means that sports volunteering will be promoted in the coming months to young unemployed men, so that they can do something positive with their time while they are out of work – gaining experience and knowledge in different volunteering roles. Those who participate will be awarded with a recognised volunteer award ‘Gold Mark’. Club who participate will receive the benefits of having new volunteers working on projects which the clubs identify and supervise.
This initiative is currently focussing on the Dungannon clubs and is targeting young men in that area aged 16-24 years. However, if this Pilot Project is successful we will be looking at rolling out this initiative in the future to other clubs.
Any club interested in being involved in the Dungannon area should contact sharon.haughey.ulster@gaa.ie
