The wonderful thing about the GAA Association as a whole is that it was, is, and always will be a volunteer lead organisation.
This is particularly true for the Code of Handball, as without every single volunteer, there would be no organisation. As such, it is imperative that we recognize the time and sacrifices made by so many. From the outpouring of nominations made by you, the Handball public, the following were selected to be the final four nominees;
Name: Brendan Gargan
Club: Kingscourt
County: Cavan
Brendan’s official title is club treasurer, but his role in the club goes way above and beyond that. He organises juvenile coaching, fund raising events, tournaments etc., fixes and installs all electricals in the complex. Puts up flags (even makes sure flag poles are straight) and organises parking for all major events.
For the last 2 years he has been one of the main organisers for the very successful All-Ireland finals festivals weekends
Under Brendan’s careful management the club have cleared all debts from the building of the complex (only one of its kind in the country) and have built up surplus funds that are now available for future developments.
Recent developments in the club, driven by Brendan include:
- Camera on all courts
- 1 wall courts construction in 5 local primary schools
- Refurbishment of kitchen
- Upgrade of lobby with new murals
- Access for cameras between Courts 1 & 2
Name: Darragh Ruane
Club: Claremorris
County: Mayo
Darragh has been coaching, training and preparing juveniles for County, Connacht and All-Ireland championships and all other tournaments for the past nine years. He has also organised competitions and leagues at club level, and organised GAA (Ace) Handball Summer Camps for the past eight years. He referees and volunteers at any local, provincial and national tournaments throughout the year.
He is also the coaching and development officer on the Mayo GAA Handball County Board and has coached, trained and assisted with competition preparation for juveniles in the county. I helped to organise winter juvenile leagues, tournaments and developed training workshops. Darragh is also involved with the Connacht juvenile committee, to promote and develop handball at provincial level.
As a qualified National Tutor, Darragh has delivered four Foundation Coaching Courses, in Collooney (Sligo), Carnmore (Galway) Ballinrobe and Carnacon (Mayo). And has delivered two Primary Teacher In-service Courses along with travelling to Vienna, Austria to coordinate, coach and referee at the European Wall Ball Championships.
Darragh is a motivated, responsible and creative individual who has an adaptable attitude and is committed to achieving club, county, provincial and national targets. He is confident and experienced in providing learning environments that are designed to motivate, develop and improve GAA Handball at all levels.
Name: Gavin Buggy
Club: St Joseph’s
County: Wexford
Gavin has been a driving force in the development of Juvenile handball in both St. Joseph’s and Wexford for the past number of years. He has made significant contributions to the training, development and identification of young players – along with the odd adult player.
Gavin’s best trait is his generosity with his time and the over whelming amount of commitment he has given to GAA Handball as a player and as a volunteer. Regarded as one of, if not the best, referee in the country, Gavin as overseen some of the greatest games this country’s courts have seen. Including Open 40x20 and 60x30 All-Ireland Finals in 2017 and beyond, yet retaining his Elite Senior status in both the small and big alley.
Gavin has consistently and constantly shown what it means to be a volunteer for GAA Handball and has set the bar high for all those who surround him. No matter if you speak to players, referees, other volunteers or spectators, no one has a bad word to say about Gavin and all who meet him are in awe of his dedication to the sport of GAA Handball.
Name: Paula Carr Whelan
Club: Newmarket on Fergus
County: Clare
Paula currently serves as both County and Club PRO, her day to day activity involves sharing information about results of games, articles and photographs on social media, with local papers and with Clare FM radio which generally means that she has to travel to finals and games county wide.
With Newmarket on Fergus, Clooney, Tuamgraney, Toonagh, Clarecastle, Kilkishen and Tulla it’s a lot of games to keep track of but all clubs are more than willing to pass on information and results. She particularly enjoys covering the underage games where the kids are delighted to get the recognition they deserve.
Last year was a huge year in her own club when they put in a big push on fundraising to complete the instillation of a new glass back wall and to conduct improvements to the changing areas. Since Paula became involved in the committee they have planned fundraising events throughout the year; bingo, barbeques, church gate collections and other avenues which not only achieved their funding goals but the events were widely regarded as wonderful social events and a boost for the moral of the Club.
More than €30,000 was raised which covered a lot of the developments that were planned which is a reflection on the work that Paula has undertaken and on the efforts of all the committee. In her humble opinion, “no one can do everything but everyone can do something”.
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Make sure to cast your vote for Volunteer of the Year by clicking here.