Newport Coach Awarded Ballyseedy Volunteer Of The Month

The Ballyseedy Home & Garden Volunteer of the Month for January was awarded to Joss Hanrahan Hier of Newport RFC for her continued dedication towards the development of coaching structures at the Tipperary club.

Joss first joined the club through the underage girls section and as players moved on from playing rugby or to other clubs, Joss took up the role of coaching.

The coaching officer has made a huge impact when it comes to recruiting new coaches and ensuring that all coaches are up to date with their requirements at the Junior club.

On receiving her award, Joss said: “It was a complete shock and I literally had no idea. It was fantastic for Newport RFC to be recognised, we are such a small club in the middle of nowhere so it’s great!

“I started off with the U18 Girls a couple of years ago and once those girls went off to college, we didn’t really have that age-group anymore, so I got involved with the U6 and U8s.

“Every Sunday morning, the minis come out raring to go and full of beans, they are always great to give back and I always enjoy the training sessions.”

Joss, a former Ireland Women’s international, has made inroads with secondary schools in the local area including Newport College as a rugby coach volunteer after school every Wednesday.

“It’s mainly 1st, 2^nd and 3^rd year students and we go through the basics with them, but we also have a few lads coming into the club and they are fantastic players.

“Some of the lads have never picked up a ball before but they absolutely love it and look forward to it every week.”

Through her coaching role at the club, Joss encourages parents to get involved while also ensuring all current coaches are upskilled.

“I make sure all the coaches involved with the club are up to date with their coaching courses while also providing them with guidance and encouragement.

“Everyone at the club and within the committee are absolutely fantastic, our Honorary Secretary, Ciara Fielding, does a huge amount of work along with the fantastic girls in the shop.

“From our groundsman, Jimmy, who’s wondering how we’re going to get water off the pitch to the coaches who turn out the teams, everyone works together.”

Newport RFC Honorary Secretary, Ciara Fielding Browne, said: “No one else would put in the hours that Joss does, she loves rugby and you can just tell when you meet her.

“Her work with the age-grade girls teams, coaches, local schools and even in the club shop has been brilliant.

“We’ve recently been accepted onto the IRFU ‘Give It A Try’ programme for girls, which the club are really looking forward to, including Joss who has already put her hand up to be involved!”

The Ballyseedy Home & Garden Volunteer Recognition Programme rewards people working hard behind the scenes within clubs and schools throughout the province.

The programme runs from September 2019 to March 2020 with a reward scheme consisting of individual ‘Volunteer of the Month’ awards.

Successful nominees who meet a set criteria were recognised for their efforts by receiving a prize package including;

– Volunteer of the Month’ Award

– Hamper

– Hospitality package for two including tickets to a Munster home game

For more information and to nominate your club or school volunteer, click here.