Volunteering in sport
As part of the European Year of Volunteering, NICVA, the Northern Ireland Sports Forum and Volunteer Now are hosting a half day conference on 2 December to showcase the impact of volunteering in sport.
The event will focus on the economic, community and tourism benefits sporting volunteers contribute.
From community and grass roots development, to international and elite level, the event will demonstrate the invaluable contribution sport and sporting volunteers make to the economy, tourism and community development in Northern Ireland.
Conference Programme
Facilitated by Mark Sidebottom
9.30am Registration, tea and coffee
Opening Address
Carál Ní Chuilín MLA - Minister for Culture Arts and Leisure
Welcome and introduction
Lisa McElherron – NICVA Head of Public Affairs
Making sport happen in Northern Ireland: The role of volunteers
Wendy Osborne – Director Volunteer Now
Making an impact in communities: The social benefits of sport
Trevor Ringland - Former Rugby International & Chair of One Small Step Campaign
Ryan Feeney – Ulster GAA Head of Community Development
10.50 am Tea & coffee break
Making major tourist events happen
Mervyn Whyte – Technical Director North West 200
Volunteers in action: Interviews and discussion
Orla Smyth - Transplant Games
Bobby Platt - Rowing in NI
David Seaton - Athletics
Kerry Spence – Rugby
Reflections on the morning and panel discussion
Barry McElduff MLA
John McCallister MLA
Michael Boyd IFA Head of Community Relations
Dr Caro-Lynne Ferris – Network Director Countryside Access and Activities
Professor Marie Murphy – Head of Sport University of Ulster
Eamonn McCartan – Chief Executive Sport NI
12.30 Closing remarks (followed by lunch)
Lisa McElherron – NICVA Head of Public Affairs
This event provides the unique opportunity to influence the influencers within sport and provide a platform to look at challenges and opportunities for volunteering in sport in the future.
The ‘Celebrating sporting volunteers’ conference will take place on Friday 2 December 2011, 10.00am–1.00pm (registration opens 9.30am) at NICVA, 61 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast, BT15 2GB. For more information or to request a booking for this event visit www.nicva.org/events
