ULSTER GAA: Inspiring young volunteers in GAA clubs

AS the sporting year draws to a close, clubs are reminded to recognise their young volunteers by signing up for the Sports Inspire Awards Programme.

Sports Inspire Awards Programme recognises outstanding youth volunteering in sport and anyone aged 14-24 years old is eligible to participate. Jointly administered by Ulster GAA, Ulster Rugby and the Irish FA, this programme is available to all GAA clubs across the nine counties and provides official recognition of the efforts of young people volunteering in their club.

We all know that young people make a huge contribution to our sport by playing our games and focus is rightly on increasing and improving participation among young people. However, many young people are willing to contribute through volunteering, both players and non-players. Volunteering at club level is another opportunity to make a real difference to your community and to play a meaningful part in your club.

Through the Sports Inspire Awards Programme, young people can undertake a range of volunteering activities that suit them and their club.

They can offer their skill set, time and enthusiasm to help in the development of the club, and by doing so can also receive official recognition which they can use for CVs, job applications and university applications. Experiences through volunteering are hugely positive for the future career and education development.

The Sports Inspire Awards Programme is very straightforward for clubs to run, by following these simple steps:

1.Appoint a Sports Inspire Awards co-ordinator.

2.Recruit young people to volunteer in your club/sign up existing volunteers.

3.Register all young club volunteers using a simple excel registration form.

4.Young people count their hours and club Co-ordinator submits a certificate request form once young volunteers hit their milestones of 50, 100 and 200 hours volunteering.

There are no set deadlines, young volunteers work to what suits them best, this may mean some young volunteers could take a year or two to clock up their hours, while others may volunteer intensively at summer camps etc, and reach their milestones quickly.

All volunteering within the club is eligible and young volunteers can also count other volunteering in their local community. Ulster GAA remind clubs to ensure all volunteering is age-appropriate and safeguarding policies are followed in terms of supervision, ratios etc. at all times. Clubs can backdate to start of this year any young volunteer who has contributed.

Volunteering tasks are endless, with current young Sports Inspire Awards Participants involved in helping out with underage teams, pitch maintenance, scoreboard operation, officiating, stewarding, fundraising, tuck shop, catering, litter picks, communications, club committee duties, GAA for All, Scór nan Óg, events etc.

Some clubs use Sports Inspire Awards Programme to successfully recruit teams of young volunteers and have set duties for them, this can help with planning volunteering roles for the year ahead.

For clubs interested in getting involved please email sharon.haughey.ulster@gaa.ie for full information pack and registration form.