International Volunteer Day – Young Dromara GAA volunteer makes big impact
On this International Volunteer Day, we thank our volunteers from clubs all across Ulster for all their hard work and commitment to the development of our games and culture.
Today we showcase the story on one young volunteer who exemplifies the dedication of GAA volunteers in helping their club and community grow and prosper.
Seventeen year old Odhrán McCann from Dromara GAC has topped up over 200 hours of volunteering with his club since April this year. He plays a significant role within this club contributing greatly to the development and promotion of Gaelic Games in Dromara.
Odhrán assists with coaching underage teams, operates the club’s scoreboard for all home fixtures, helps wash jerseys for U12 and U14 teams, assists as a parking attendant for games and events, officiates as a match umpire and assists with club maintenance including strimming grass, emptying bins, washing floors and sorting out storage rooms. He has contributed greatly to fundraising events including Slieve Croob Challenge and family fun days raising vital funds for NI Hospice. He has also helped with the delivery of a Game of Three Halves at his club.
Odhrán’s volunteering efforts are impressive, especially for someone so young, who is also a player. In 2023 Odhrán completed Ulster GAA’s Young Leaders Programme and gained vital knowledge and understanding of issues relating to the GAA and Sport including achieving his GAA Safeguarding Award, GAA Foundation Coaching Award and GAA for ALL training.
He is now a Sports Inspire Awards 200hr+ achiever, a Volunteer Now Youth Impact awardee and has just completed his Silver Gaisce Award. He has also completed and now qualified as a Down Referee.
Odhrán is a fine example of a young GAA volunteer who is contributing greatly and whose impact is felt right across his club and community. He is also benefiting from participating in Ulster GAA Youth Volunteering Programmes and has been rightly recognised for this outstanding commitment and dedication to the GAA.
Speaking about his volunteering experience, Odhrán said: “I feel that I have given back to my local community by helping others. I have found that volunteering is a very positive experience, it gives me a connection with the club and local people in my area. I hope my volunteering will inspire others to get involved also, without volunteers the club would not be able to function.”
Dromara’s Sports Inspire Award Co-ordinator Kerri-Louise Malone also praised Odhrán’s commitment: “Odhrán helps greatly throughout the club and community in many aspects including coaching, playing and volunteering. He will always offer to help when available and is very reliable – a real asset to our club.”
Ulster GAA takes this opportunity to thank Odhrán McCann for all his efforts and hard work and encourages him to keep up the good work.
Anyone interested in Ulster GAA’s Youth Volunteering Programmes, contac t Sharon.haughey.ulster@gaa.ie for more information.
