Club & Volunteer Recognition Awards 2015/16

Munster Rugby in conjunction with the IRFU Club and Volunteer Recognition Work Stream are inviting nominations for Provincial Club and Volunteer Awards 2015/16.

These Club and Volunteer Awards aim to reward the efforts of volunteers and clubs who contribute to the smooth running of grassroots rugby throughout their Province. For the Volunteer Awards, we want to encourage nominations throughout clubs for any volunteer who is deemed to go above and beyond the call of duty for the love of the game and their club. Equally, the Club Awards are looking for clubs who have shown initiative, commitment and innovation in the categories listed.

The awards are open to all affiliated clubs and their volunteers. For volunteers it is irrespective of age or the length of time they have been volunteering/working for their club.

Who can Apply
Two options here:

• Anyone with a link to the club – members, volunteers, players, parents of mini and youth players etc.; or
• Clubs formally submit nominations

How do you make a nomination?

• Online: or
• Hard copy: or
• Both online or hard copy.

It would be useful if the nominations could demonstrate the nominated clubs or volunteer’s commitment to one or more of the IRFU Core Values of respect, integrity, inclusivity, fun and excellence. Nominations are limited to no more than 150 words. We want to hear about people or clubs who go above and beyond the call of duty for the benefit of the game and/or their club.

Award Categories

Club Volunteer of the Year: This recognises the individuals who have shown all-round commitment, initiative and excellence during the year. This does not need be a club official but anyone who has made an impact by their actions or commitment i.e. the person who organises mini or youth rugby, looks after entertaining opposition teams, organises functions in the club, organises transport for away matches, helped with the running of disability rugby or rugby for people with learning disabilities, helped or led an initiative in the club etc.

Young Volunteer of the Year: This recognises the young or emerging volunteers (aged 14-25) who has demonstrated, during the year, commitment and enthusiasm for their volunteering role and are keen to be involved in the life of the club. They may have contributed to a particular project, initiative or has helped out with a specific section of the club, worked in the community to promote rugby or been an inspiration to their peers.

Community Club of the Year: This recognises the clubs who have made a significant difference to the local community (and their club) during the year. This could include taking rugby out of the club to community groups and gaining new members; encouraging community groups or other sports to use the club facilities; implementing new activities that increases the range of people using the club. The key is they are involving the local community in the club.

Inclusion Club of the Year: This recognises the club who has shown initiative with the introduction, promotion or development of rugby for disabled players and/or people with learning disabilities. It can be for organising or running a team or a match/event, introducing this form of rugby in the local community etc. Again, it is for the work or initiatives in the last year.

Inspirational Volunteer of the Year: This can be linked to the IRFU Inspiring People Award and recognises someone who has made a significant impact inspiring others in any aspect of rugby or club life or who encourages others to get involved with their club or the game. Examples could be someone who has organised a new team in the club i.e. women’s or girls’ team, a disability team or tournament etc.

Presentation of Awards:

The Presentation of the 5 Awards will take place at the Guinness PRO12 Munster v Edinburgh fixture in Irish Independent Park on the 29^th April 2016.


Nomination Rules/Terms and Conditions

• Nominations must be received by 12 noon on Monday 18^th April 2016 using the online or hard copy to info@munsterrugby.ie or post to Rose Hyde, Munster Rugby, Independent Park, Tramore Road, Cork
• A Brach Panel will assess the nominations.
• The panel’s decision is final. Due to the anticipated level of nominations it will not be possible to provide feedback on individual nominations.
• The panel will reserve the right not to select a winner for each award category should they consider nominations to be unsuitable or incomplete. Additionally the panel can reserve the right to award more than one finalist per category should they feel that the nominations in said category are outstanding.
• The awards are open to all affiliated club volunteers, irrespective of age (with the exception of the Young Volunteer Award) or the length of time they have been volunteering.