Bantry Bay’s Damien Hicks Wins Volunteer Recognition Award

Damien Hicks of Bantry Bay RFC is the winner of Munster Rugby’s Volunteer Recognition Award for December.

Born in Dorset, South England, Damien moved to Ireland when he was 13 after his parents bought a farm in Bantry, Co. Cork. Originally from Wales, Damien’s father had a great passion for rugby which he passed on to his son from an early age.

Damien began his rugby career at Bantry Bay RFC at underage in 1993 and played up to Under 18. After a short break from the sport he went back to play with Bantry at adult level where he currently plays at loose forward for the club’s J1 Division 3 side.

Married to Geraldine with five children, Damien coaches the club’s Under 6 and Under 7 players every Monday night as well many other age grade teams within the club.

Working with fellow club stalwart Eugene McCarthy, Damien spent the last few seasons coaching girls rugby in a number of primary and secondary schools in the West Cork area. Following a huge demand, Damien introduced girls and women’s rugby to Bantry Bay who now field an U13, U15 and U18 side that boast two U18 players Claire Coombes (backrow) and Enya Breen (outhalf) on the Munster provincial squad. For the first time this season Bantry have a Senior Women’s side, also coached by Damien, who are competing in the Munster Development League.

As well as a coach facilitating many of the club’s squads, Damien is also a huge driving force for the club at committee level and is also the club’s groundsman. After training Damien can be seen in all weather conditions lining the pitch in preparation for Bantry’s home games and on the final whistle, after playing a hard fought match, will take it upon himself to stay on field to repair the damages.

“He has many roles, all completed by passion and drive with no thanks required", said Club Coaching Coordinator Mike Lithgow. “His outstanding contributions to our small but growing club make a massive difference and without him we would be lost."

“From Monday to Sunday Damien works tirelessly for the club. In amongst his normal work, household activities shared with his obviously very patient wife Geraldine and their five children, somehow he has the time and the 100% effort required to organise the mini section for the weekend ahead, coach the U6 and U7s, the girls and women’s teams not to mention the hours spent making sure the pitch is ready and marked for games on a Saturday and Sunday in the early hours.

“Damien is always looking to do something, and as well as coaching he also plays an important role in the committee. I cannot fathom his weekly schedule and how it would look, but I do know it would involve all seven days of the week, Lithgow continued.

“In short, Damien is our Volunteer Superman at Bantry Bay RFC, his enthusiasm exists in spades which is infectious and rubs off on us all. What makes it even better is his humility and humbleness and he is a great ambassador to our club.”