Tramore’s Stephen Awarded Ballyseedy Volunteer Of The Month

10th April 2019 By The Editor

Tramore's Stephen (centre) was March's Volunteer of the Month Award winner.

The Ballyseedy Home & Garden Volunteer of the Month for March was awarded to Tramore RFC all-rounder, Stephen Butler, for his continued involvement in several aspects of the Waterford club.

Stephen fulfils three different roles including Coach, PRO and Secretary while also finding the time to referee at blitz tournaments hosted by the mini rugby club.

Stephen has been a member of Tramore RFC since 2013 having first joined the club as a parent with his son involved from a young age.

On receiving his award, Stephen said: “I was flattered and honoured to be even nominated for the award.

“I got involved in coaching during my first season at the club and in my second season I ended up as secretary but always remained in coaching with my son going through the age-groups.

“I suppose I became more and more involved across the board, ingrained in the club and its community.”

The club coach also enjoys refereeing matches when required by other clubs who take part in regular blitz tournaments held at Tramore RFC.

“I thought I would get involved in refereeing too and with the blitzes you could be refereeing six or eight games in the morning and several more in the afternoon.

“The thing I enjoy most about volunteering is the coaching, you see kids develop as players from an early age through to when they leave the club at U12 level, some may go on and some may never pick up a ball again but hopefully you have made a positive impact on their life.

“We have developed a great relationship with Waterford City RFC whether that’s combining teams at blitzes or providing a club for players to continue on and play at U13 level once they go past minis.”

Tramore RFC Chairman, Tony MacCahill, said: “Stephen began coaching our U7s and continued with the same group of players until reaching U12s.

“He also takes all of the age-groups at the start of training and brings everyone together in a proactive way while also planning all of his coaching sessions.

“Our major long-term goal would be to expand towards a youth club and in the short term we are definitely growing the numbers with Stephen’s work contributing to our future plans.”

Ballyseedy Home & Garden Volunteer Recognition Programme

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 October 2018 to March 2019 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;