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17
SONI COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOUR FINALISTS:
SUSAN SPENCE
HEAD OF ADMIN
CITY OF DERRY RFC
Former Junior, then Senior Vice President,
Susan was the first female to assume the
role of President of a rugby club in Ulster
and has been associated with City of Derry
Rugby Club for over 20 years.
NOMINATED FOR:
Susan fulfills many roles while supporting
others in theirs, bringing enthusiasm and
vigor to everything she does and creating
a real ‘esprit de corps’ at the club. Quick to
volunteer for jobs that others might shun,
her input across all areas of the club is
unmeasurable and has made her the go-to
individual for absolutely everything.
CATEGORY:
ADULT
GARY McFARLANE
YOUTH CONVENOR/CORDINATOR
LARNE RFC
Gary McFarlane has been associated with
Larne Rugby Club for three years.
NOMINATED FOR:
Gary has utterly transformed youth rugby at
Larne RFC, growing the youth section from just
18 members in 2014 to nearly 100 this season
by introducing a variety of processes and
procedures and by streamlining communication
between players enabling youth rugby at the
club to flourish.
Gary has taken on the role of Youth Convenor
with absolute commitment providing
coordination, establishing relationships with
players and parents and developing a vision
and code of conduct for all. Gary also plays a
crucial part in seeking sponsorship, developing
the club’s social media, attending training
sessions and fundraising.
CATEGORY:
YOUTH AND MINI
JOHN CURRY
HONORARY SECRETARY
RANDALSTOWN RFC
John Curry has been associated with
Randalstown Rugby Club for over 30 years.
NOMINATED FOR:
Integrity is at the heart of everything that
John does, and alongside fulfilling his many
roles including fundraising, sustainability
and arranging club tournaments, he played
a major part in securing the Clubs of Ireland
Excellence Award for Randalstown. John
also acts as Welfare Officer (safeguarding).
He always conducts himself in an exemplary
manner and quite simply has made
a contribution to his club of immense
proportions during his three decade
commitment.
RICHARD BLACK
YOUTH CONVENOR,
CITY OF ARMAGH RFC
Richard Black has been associated with City of
Armagh Rugby Club for 35 years.
NOMINATED FOR:
Richard sees the enormous value that playing
sport brings to young people and through his
selfless devotion, youth rugby in Armagh is
thriving. Richard has played an active part in
the club as a player, coach, Honorary Treasurer,
President and referee. Despite this, it’s his
ongoing involvement with Armagh RFC’s youth
teams that’s extra special. He has doubled the
numbers in the section in just six years, he acts
as referee, fixture organiser, coach and mentor,
fundraiser, seeks sponsorship, encourages
participation and has driven both the success
and the reputation of Armagh RFC.