Ulster Rugby v Southern Kings

VOLUNTEER PROFILE: GRAHAM JEWHURST

Volunteers play a huge part in the growth and development of rugby in Ulster, performing a variety of roles both at home games and in the various rugby clubs throughout the Province. Here we catch up with Graham Jewhurst, who freely gives up his time to provide rugby commentry for visually impaired supporters at Kingspan Stadium.

rugby became more of a business, volunteering clings on to a bit of what rugby has traditionally been about, and still is at club level. This means putting something into Ulster Rugby selflessly, which combined with the work of other volunteers hopefully enhances the experience of other supporters and perhaps even the players, and that’s a good feeling. What has been the highlight of your volunteering? Personally, it’s allowed me to try something I would never have thought of trying or had the opportunity to try before. I’ve now been inspired to pursue commentary further in a more professional capacity. What advice would you give someone who wants to start volunteering? Just go for it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. How did you get involved in volunteering? I saw an advert on the Ulster Rugby Facebook page and applied through there. Do you have to come from a rugby background or need rugby knowledge to volunteer with a rugby club? No, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved without prior rugby experience. However, one of my joys is that I get to harness my depth of rugby knowledge, garnered over 25 years of playing, to give back to the game. Having hung up my boots, my rugby involvement could easily have been limited to cheering from the side-lines, so there are plenty of volunteering options for the rugby guru too!

What does your volunteering involve? Providing commentary for all home matches, including distributing headsets prior to game and interviewing players at half time. When did you first begin volunteering with Ulster Rugby? November 2016. Have you had a previous volunteering role elsewhere? No. What inspired you to get involved? A love of rugby and unfulfilled ambition to commentate. What attracted you to the role? A realisation of the difference the service could make to supporters. What skills or qualities are required for your volunteering role? Passion, enthusiasm, quick thinking and in-depth Because, as of yet, no-one has offered to pay me! I’ve talked to some of the users of the service and it really makes a difference. How often do you volunteer? Every home match. What do you enjoy most about volunteering? The buzz of the big matches. Through it I’ve got to know a great bunch of other volunteers, particularly my fellow commentators, who are brilliant. Why would you encourage others to get involved? Ulster Rugby has traditionally had a special family feel to it. As professionalism has come in and knowledge of the game. Why do you volunteer?

ULSTER RUGBY VOLUNTEER PROFILE

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