Ulster Rugby vs Munster

MEET ONE OF OUR VOLUNTEERS JULIE ADAMS

My more recent role and probably the one I enjoy the most is the OUR Club Crew. This involves helping out with the Junior Season Ticket holders on match nights, advising them of the various activities and helping them take part. It also involves doing the Guard of Honour for the players with the kids. It is very rewarding as the children get really excited when they are around the players and especially when they get to go on the pitch, it’s great seeing their faces light up. WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BE A VOLUNTEER? I have been a big fan of Ulster Rugby since my teens and would have attended a lot of matches regularly, right up until I was eight months pregnant! Then when my son was old enough I got him into playing rugby and started getting back to the matches. Now he plays for a club (he’s nine years old) I go along to all his training sessions and matches and I felt that volunteering with Ulster Rugby was an opportunity for me to learn more about the sport and the club and to then hopefully be able to assist with my son’s rugby team. HAVE YOU HAD ANY PARTICULAR HIGHLIGHTS WHILE VOLUNTEERING? I have a few highlights. I thoroughly enjoyed volunteering at the Ireland Training camp last year. It was a great experience and as it was mostly school children in attendance it was great seeing their faces light up when their heroes came over for an autograph and a photo. Obviously I managed a few photos myself which made my day! I also helped at the Wooden Spoon International Tag Rugby Festival for people with disabilities last year for the whole weekend which was hard work and tiring but also so rewarding. I helped pack the goody bags, made the packed lunches, served the meals for the players and in general just made sure everyone was okay and enjoying themselves. It was a miserable weekend with lashing rain but what made the weekend was seeing the boys and girls having the time of their life playing rugby at Kingspan Stadium regardless of the weather. They never complained, they played their hearts out and then of course enjoyed the disco at the end. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BEING A VOLUNTEER? I find volunteering for Ulster Rugby very rewarding and enjoyable. I feel so proud to be able to help all these people with whatever I happen to be doing and it boosts your confidence when you are given an element of responsibility especially with OUR Club. As I spend most events chatting to people it definitely would bring you out of your shell if you were ever shy! It’s a great opportunity to meet lots of different people from different backgrounds, it’s great fun and you always get a laugh. I have met new friends who I meet and chat to outside of Ulster Rugby and all the staff are always very kind and pleasant towards us. Interested in volunteering? email kerry.spence@ulsterrugby.com for details.

NICKNAME: Jules FAVOURITE FOOD: Steak and garlic potatoes FAVOURITE ULSTER PLAYER? Tommy Bowe IF YOU COULD PLAY FOR ULSTER WHAT POSITION WOULD YOU PLAY? I would be the team manager! Good at bossing men about and getting them to do as they are told! WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE SPORTING MEMORY? This is quite a personal one… watching my dad’s cricket team win the cup two years after he had meningitis and had all his toes amputated. It was a proud moment seeing my dad get back playing and then his team winning. He was 50 years old at the time. WHO WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO BE STUCK IN A LIFT WITH? Jamie Dornan WHO WOULD YOU LEAST LIKE TO BE STUCK IN A LIFT WITH? My son because I would have to be really brave for his sake and I would secretly be panicking as it’s definitely one of my worst fears. TELL US AN INTERESTING FACT: I played cricket for Ulster Girls Under 16 team and we beat Leinster and Munster in the Inter Provincial Finals. I still have my medal to prove it! WHAT SORT OF VOLUNTEERING ARE YOU INVOLVED IN? I started volunteering with Ulster Rugby in late 2013 as a member of the Charity Action Team. This involved working with the chosen charity at match nights, doing bucket collections and other fundraising activities. The opportunity then arose to join the Ulster Rugby Crew. As my son plays rugby and I attend all his matches and training sessions I felt that joining the Rugby Crew would benefit me in helping out at his club when needed. Within this role I helped out at a Summer Camp, assisting the coaches in setting up and playing the games with the children. I also helped out at the Wooden Spoon International Tag Rugby Festival for people with disabilities and this was a fantastic experience.

MEET ONE OF OUR VOLUNTEERS

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