Ulster Rugby vs Zebre

19 / 64

17
CELEBRATING RUGBY VOLUNTEERS Entries for the SONI Community Rugby Champions Award will close at noon
on Tuesday 8th March and organisers are calling for last minute nominations.
FINAL CALL FOR ENTRIES
THECOUNTDOWNISONTOFINDALOCALRUGBYCHAMPION
The award, which is a new initiative launched by
SONI (System Operator for Northern Ireland) and
Ulster Rugby, aims to honour and recognise the
dedication of community rugby volunteers across
Ulster.
SONI who is responsible for running the electricity
grid across the Province launched the initiative
at the beginning of the year following its recent
announcement of its title sponsorship deal with the
Ulster Senior League.
Four finalists will be shortlisted from four regions
and will be invited to attend Ulster Rugby’s glittering
end of year awards ceremony with three runners up
receiving a £500 bursary for their local club and the
overall champion winning £1,000 - as well as being
crowned the SONI Community Rugby Champion.
But the clock is ticking says Robin McCormick,
General Manager of SONI: “We want to ensure
that all volunteers from across the Province have
a fair chance to win the award and prize for their
club. I would encourage everyone to put forward a
volunteer they know who is worthy to be crowned
our champion. We encourage entries across all
disciplines, whether it’s the Head Coach, a young
volunteer, fundraisers, minibus drivers or tea ladies –
as long as they have been involved with the club for
at least six months, they are eligible to enter.”
Judges will be looking for those who have made a
positive contribution to their club and someone who
goes above and beyond the call of duty for the love
of the game and their club.
Chris Webster, Domestic Rugby Manager at Ulster
Rugby, encouraged those who know a hard-working
and dedicated volunteer, to make sure they put them
forward for nomination:
“Rugby clubs play a huge part in their community
and they rely heavily on the dedication of volunteers,
who don’t always get the recognition they deserve.
“The SONI Community Rugby Champions
award is a fantastic way to recognise volunteers’
achievements and to say thank you for all their hard
work, commitment and devotion to their local club.
The runner up bursaries and the overall prize would
have a significant impact on local rugby clubs and
I’d encourage all clubs to put forward volunteers.”
The deadline for entries is 12 noon on
Tuesday 8th March. Anyone can nominate
by filling out the online application form, at
For more information on SONI
visit or
follow on Twitter @soni_ltd.