Nominate your coach for the Translink Ulster GAA Coach of the Year award

Legendary football manager Joe Kernan joined Ulster GAA and Translink representatives in Belfast this week to officially launch the 2018 Coach of the Year Awards.

Now it its second year, the initiative celebrates the work carried out by volunteer club coaches across the province, recognising the lasting impressions they make on both individuals and communities. The awards are free to enter and club coaches from across every code and level in Ulster are eligible.

Players, parents, committee members and supporters have until Sunday 4th November to put forward their entry. Following public nominations, a distinguished panel of experts including former Armagh manager Joe Kernan, Ulster GAA PRO Michael Geoghegan and Irish News Sports Columnist Neil Loughran will select one finalist from each county to go forward to a public vote.

The overall winner will receive a prize which includes specially commissioned kit for themselves and free coach travel for their team for one year, courtesy of Translink.

Encouraging everyone to get nominating, Chris Conway, Chief Executive, Translink said:

“Following the huge success of this initiative last year, we are thrilled to partner with Ulster GAA for the second time on the Coach of the Year Award.

“The aim is to publicly recognise and thank those grass-roots managers, trainers and mentors, whose tireless efforts often go unrewarded. Through our on-going sponsorship of Ulster GAA, we have seen first hand the work that they do and the invaluable contribution they make in counties across Ulster. It’s our pleasure to help celebrate them in this way.”

Launching the awards, Joe Kernan added:

“Volunteer coaches are the back-bone of clubs across the country. At every level and in every community, they are responsible for recruiting members, developing players, spotting leaders and promoting the skills of our games. As a former manager, player and life-long GAA supporter, I’m delighted to be a part of these awards and encourage people from every county to put forward a person they think is deserving of the accolade before 4th November, so get nominating!”

To nominate a coach for this award, visit www.ulstergaa.ie/coachoftheyearaward.

Nominations close at 11.59pm Sunday 4 November 2018.