The Irish News School, Club and Volunteer Awards in association with O’Neills are back for an 18th consecutive season, but who will take the coveted titles in 2020?
Since the inception of the popular awards back in 2003, various schools, clubs and volunteers from across Ulster have been recognised for the sterling work they undertake promoting Gaelic Games.
Over the years, the awards have evolved to reflect the growing importance of health, coaching, underage and club development with our communities.
Once again, The Irish News alongside sponsors NI Chest, Heart and Stroke, Strathroy Dairy, Volunteer Now and Foras na Gaeilge will retain the Irish Language award for a third successive year.
The winning clubs and schools will not only walk away with the coveted Irish News Club or School of the Year title, but also £500 from The Irish News and a £500 voucher from O’Neills.
Irish News editor Noel Doran gave his backing to the awards, saying: “GAA clubs and volunteers right across Ulster carry out immense work, and these awards are designed to recognise and highlight this.
“Whatever role you undertake, as an individual, in a school or in a club, I would encourage you take advantage of this excellent initiative.”
Ulster GAA Provincial Secretary Brian McAvoy said: ‘‘Ulster GAA has a long association with The Irish News School, Club and Volunteer Awards and we are very pleased to again give our support in 2020.
‘‘Every year there are some great examples of talented and dedicated GAA volunteers and I would encourage all of our units across the province to showcase their work by entering a submission’’
Irish News sports editor, Thomas Hawkins echoed those comments, adding: “Our School, Club and Volunteer Awards initiative always draws big interest, and it's a great way to profile the outstanding work right being undertaken by so many day and daily right across the GAA spectrum.
“So get cracking right away with your entries. My thanks also to all the sponsors for coming on board for this excellent initiative.''
Kieran Kennedy (managing director of O’Neills) gave his support to the initiative, adding: “As Ireland's leading sportswear manufacturer O’Neills are delighted to support clubs and schools who play such an important role in the fabric of the GAA across the country.
“We supply hundreds of different clubs across the country so we understand that clubs have different challenges, with each club solving these problems in their own unique way.
“We look forward to the receiving the entries for 2020 and seeing each entrants innovative approach to problem solving in 2020.”
The application process is designed to make it easier for clubs and schools, who can enter by simply submitting a 200-word application in as many categories as they like.
To mark the fact that April is normally a designated month for clubs, entry into the awards will remain open for the entire month of April, with Thursday, May 4 at 12 noon the closing date for entries.
All the information, including how to enter, is available at www. irishnews.com/scv
The awards have showcased some excellent initiatives across School, Club and Volunteer sections including last year's Best Well-being Initiative of the Year winner by Lámh Dhearg, Hannahstown whose Darkness into Light Hannahstown walk raised a fantastic total of £47,265, bringing their total to over £110k in three years.
2019 WINNERS
School Awards
Post Primary School of the Year: Winner: St Ciaran’s College, Ballygawley
Highly Commended: St Patrick’s Grammar School, Downpatrick
Primary School of the Year: Bunscoil an tSléibhe Dhuibh, Belfast
2019 WINNERS
Club Awards
Best Irish Language Initiative of the Year: Winner: Ruairí Óg
Best Underage Initiative of the Year: Winner: Carryduff GAC
Highly Commended: An Mhaigh Tír na nÓg GAC
Best Coaching Initiative of the Year: Winner: Cumann Pheadair Naofa, Warrenpoint
Highly Commended: CLG Beart, Donegal
Best Well-being Initiative of the Year: Winner: Lámh Dhearg CLG
Highly Commended: St Peter’s GAA Club
Best Development Initiative of the Year: Winner: Clann Na Banna Down
Highly Commended: Augher. St Macartans
Overseas Club of the Year: Winner: Rockland GAA, New Yok
Club Social Responsibility Initiative: Winner: John Mitchel’s GAC Ballygalget
Club Community Award Initiative: Winner: Scotstown GAC Monaghan
2019 WINNERS
Volunteer Awards
Young Volunteer of the Year: Emer Reilly, Newry Shamrocks
Club Volunteer of the Year: Gerard McDermott, Drumaness GAC
