Katie is a ‘Real Rugby Hero’

SONI’s Real Rugby Heroes: Women & Girls Rugby Volunteer award was won by Katie Speers, Coach from Ballymoney RFC.

SONI (System Operator for Northern Ireland) runs Northern Ireland’s electricity grid and their Ulster Rugby’s annual awards programme, Real Rugby Heroes, recognises volunteers who make an invaluable contribution across community rugby.

Katie, a previous SONI Community Champion finalist in 2016, has been a vital member of the Ballymoney RFC for the last 16 years, and undertook the setting up and implementing of girls youth rugby in Ballymoney. She has taken on all roles in relation to the setting up of this new venture, fixtures, coaching, sponsorship, fundraising and welfare for the girls. Katie is also head of first aid for the club and organises the annual carol service which is attended by the local community.

The Youth & Mini Rugby Volunteer was won by Robert Dillon, Youth Rugby Convenor from Strabane RFC. The Administrative Volunteer award (anyone who volunteers primarily to help run the club e.g. finance, catering, treasurer) was won by Beverley Esler, school teacher and Honorary Secretary at PSNI RFC.

The Real Rugby Heroes Awards seeks out volunteers who make an invaluable contribution to the game at a grassroots level, enriching communities across Ulster. Each of the winners has won an incredible £1,000 for their club.