Right Price Tiles Volunteer of the Month

Munster Rugby is delighted to congratulate Padraic Dolan from Ennis RFC on becoming the latest recipient of the Right Price Tiles Volunteer of the Month award.

PADRAIC DOLAN

Ennis RFC

March Winner

Munster Rugby is delighted to congratulate Padraic Dolan from Ennis RFC on becoming the latest recipient of the Right Price Tiles Volunteer of the Month award.

The Right Price Tiles Volunteer Recognition Programme was launched to give clubs and schools the opportunity to acknowledge the significant contribution made by individuals who have developed, promoted and/or advanced the sport of Rugby in the local community and in the province. Through the Volunteer Recognition Programme, Munster Rugby acknowledge, honour and reward these heroes who devote countless hours week in week out, year after year to provide a safe and enjoyable environment at the grassroots of the game. From the kitchen worker to the weekend linesman to the parents that manage and coach under-age sides. True heroes, each one of them.

Padraic Dolan was nominated by the coaches and parents of Ennis RFC for his tireless work in the club for the past 10 years working in many roles with many different age groups. During his time as Youth Officer (2001 to 2005) he oversaw the growth of Mini s and Youths rugby in Ennis from 80 children to 330. During this time he also managed to increase the number of parents willing to get involved and take up coaching positions within the club. By sheer force of his charming personality and by always leading from the front, many passive observers at the club have found themselves on Foundation Coaching Courses, Referee Courses and generally helping with the smooth running of blitz days and special events for the children.

Padraic has successfully organised a trip to Lansdowne road for 200 hundred children to see Ireland v Argentina and he was also successful in organising a fantastic tour for the successful under 15 s team to a World Youths event in France. Ennis travelled with two Teams and had the privilege of facing down the Haka from a Team of New Zealand Youths. All in all there were 24 teams from 15 countries represented, the children experiencing a once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of a truly international event.

In 2005 Ennis hosted a return trip from the MNV (Bourgoin) Rugby Club and this was a massive success. Padraic put together a trip that had children and adults alike from the East of France experiencing the Cliffs of Moher view from the Atlantic, the tourists also enjoyed a barbeque for 335 people & all were entertained at a Clare v Cork hurling game. All this he achieved at no cost to the club, his satisfaction always achieved in seeing young people happy and enjoying the comradeship that is rugby.

In 2004 Padraic had a massive input into the organisation of a Tour to an International Rugby Festival in Trabolgan. Teams from Scotland, Wales, England and Ireland competed and Ennis took the Under 12 s Cup home. His work hasn t stopped at just the rugby and he has been instrumental in organising Quiz Nights, Guess the score competition etc to raise funds, St. Patrick s Day Parades, parties at Halloween and other occasions for the kids.

Padraic s influence has been felt at Munster and National level also, his input to various Youth Officer conferences being highlighted, greatly appreciated and copied by his peers. Padraic s input hasn t stopped with himself as his sons Brian and Kevin have both played for Ennis and his wife Patricia is also a tireless worker at underage events. So much so that both Patricia and Padraic were presented with a medal of appreciation by their fellow coaches and colleagues in 2005.

Paying tribute to Padraic, club member Aidan McDermott said Padraic s achievements are many, we hope the brief synopsis here outlines the man he is and we very much feel that Padraic is a suitable recipient for your award and whole heartedly nominate him for it.

As the March winner, Padraic joins UL Boh s Neil Kelly, Nenagh Ormond s Pat Whelan, who was the inaugural winner of the Right Price Tiles Volunteer of the Month in November, Frank Moynihan of Sunday s Well and Donal O Connell from Richmond RFC who have all won awards this season. All worthy winners and fantastic individuals who have contributed hugely to the sport within their clubs and province.

This programme kicked off in November 2005 and will finish in May 2006, with six individual Volunteer of the Month awards given. The Volunteer Recognition programme is open to any person currently associated with domestic rugby in Munster, in a non-paid capacity at a club, school, college, university or associated affiliate of Munster Branch IRFU.

PRIZES:

Successful nominees who meet the set criteria will be recognised for their efforts by receiving a prize package including tickets to a Munster match and a 250 voucher for the Munster Rugby Store.

NOMINATION PROCESS:

Nominations should include the following information:

Nominee Details – Name

– Age

– Club/School/Association

– Contact Number

What role(s) or area(s) has the nominee fulfilled at your club, school or association?

Explain why you feel the nominee s contribution to rugby was outstanding.

Nominator Details – Name

– Club/School/Association

– Position

– Contact Number

Post, fax or email your nomination to the below address:

Munster Branch IRFU

Volunteer Recognition Programme

Musgrave Park

Pearse Road

Ballyphehane

Cork

Fax: (021) 432 3956

Email: damonurlich@munsterrugby.ie

ELIGIBILITY AND CONDITIONS OF ENTRY:

• Persons who are paid in any form, other than reimbursement for expenses, are ineligible for nomination.
• Unsuccessful nominees may be nominated in subsequent months
• Nominee and Nominator must not be the same person
• Nominations for each monthly award must be received by close of business on the last day of that month.
• A selection committee of three representatives from the Munster Branch IRFU will be responsible for selecting the recipients for the Right Price Tiles Volunteer Recognition Programme.