Young Volunteers inspiring in sport 

Young sports volunteers took centre stage recently at the annual Sports Inspire Awards ceremony at the MAC Theatre Belfast, organised jointly by Ulster GAA, the Irish Football Association and Ulster Rugby. 

200 young volunteers aged between 14 and 24 years old were presented with awards for 50 hours, 100 hours and 200 hours volunteering with their sports club.

Sports commentator and presenter Thomas Niblock put the spotlight firmly on these inspirational young volunteers who are making a huge difference in their clubs and communities by coaching, officiating matches, managing events, administering games and fundraising, along with being involved in eco and sustainability projects.

Special guests on the evening included Ireland International and Ulster Rugby players Iain Henderson and Mike Lowry, Armagh’s All Ireland Champion Aaron McKay, Northern Ireland Women’s International footballer Ashley Hutton and Irish Olympic Swimmer Danielle Hill.

The sports stars talked about their own volunteering efforts despite their busy sports commitments and also discussed how standout volunteers have had a real impact and contribution towards their sporting success. The conversations were truly inspirational, and it was great for the young people to hear words of encouragement and the promotion of volunteering in sport from their sporting role models.

Ulster GAA President Michael Geoghegan said, “I applaud all the young people receiving awards for their sustained volunteering in our sports clubs.  It’s highly impressive to see young people stepping up and putting their free time to good use by helping to build better clubs for our communities.  Their contribution is greatly appreciated, and it is only fitting that we officially recognise them with our Sports Inspire Awards, all of which are signed off by the Minister for Communities and all three sports governing bodies.”

Irish FA President Conrad Kirkwood said, “This event is always one of the most inspirational events, full of energy and enthusiasm where the spotlight is on the positive efforts of young volunteers in sport.  All three sports are reliant on volunteers to run our clubs effectively and to bring success, and its brilliant to see more and more young people taking up the mantle of volunteering and helping out in their clubs. They bring vibrancy and fresh perspective on how to do things and how to better deliver for our club and communities.”

Ulster Rugby President Laurence Rocke said, “We are delighted to continue to work with the Irish FA and Ulster GAA to deliver for our volunteers and clubs in terms of events, programmes and support through the DfC a Home for Lifelong Volunteering Programme.  We are also grateful for the support of the David Cross Foundation through the Community Foundation and Sir George Quigley Fund to allow us to build on these worthy projects to maximise impact.  It is deeply inspiring to be in a room full of young people doing such good work in their sports clubs and communities.”

For more information on getting involved in the Sports Inspire Awards, either as a young person or club, please get in touch: sharon.haughey.ulster@gaa.ie