Ulster Rugby v Connacht

OUR CLUB ‘A FABULOUS EXPERIENCE FOR MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEERS’

win a VIP experience. VIP experiences have included stadium tours with Tommy Bowe, a Christmas movie night with Ulster players and a training session with the team and coaching staff. These are experiences that you can’t buy and ones which the children will remember for years to come. It is something that any young rugby player, boy or girl, will treasure for life and just seeing how happy it makes the children and how their little faces lights up, is such a lovely feeling.” As with any voluntary youth group, it can be difficult to the maintain momentum necessary to drive participation particularly when members move on but Julie is not scared of a challenge. “The first year of OUR Club was more challenging as we didn't have a designated area so attendance was a bit hit and miss but this is the 3rd season that we have been in our very own OUR Quarter club house and that has made all the difference. “We love to see kids coming along and enjoying themselves so it’s disappointing when once regulars who are now in their early teens, feel they are too old for OUR Club. This however, has given us the insight and push we needed to revamp our activity offerings for those aged 13-16 and I think we’ve done a great job. “This year we have introduced a special competition exclusively for the 'senior' junior season ticket holders, those aged 13-16. They can get a raffle ticket on each match night and at the end of each month there will be a prize draw. “The top prize for this age group is the chance to win a behind the scenes experience on a match night, shadowing a

OUR Club is an exclusive supporters club for all Season Ticket Holders aged 16 and under. It is led by a dedicated team of volunteers who give up their time to provide a range of activities and experiences for members. We caught up with Volunteer Leader, Julie Adams to find out a little bit more about the OUR Club experience and what makes it so special both for volunteers and its young members. “I love rugby and have been a supporter of Ulster Rugby since my teens. I would have gone to as many matches as I could so when they advertised for volunteers I knew it was something I would love to do. “I started volunteering about 5 years ago initially as a charity collector on match nights. When they decided they wanted to do something for Junior Season Ticket holders OUR club was born and I joined its volunteer team. “I would be at the matches anyway and I still get to see a lot of the game but I love helping-out. As a fan, and mum to a rugby- mad little boy, it is a fantastic opportunity to be part of OUR Club and the match night experience.” With a range of imaginative activities, competitions and giveaways, the OUR Club volunteer team work to offer members a truly unique experience and provide lasting memories of match nights at Kingspan Stadium. “OUR Club is a great place for juniors and we work to ensure that we offer a range of appealing activities. We run competitions every week which gives members the chance to earn points. Half way through the season, and again at the end of the season, these points are added up and the top 20

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