Celebrating Sporting Volunteers : Influencing the Influencers

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.

This event also 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.

Facilitated by Mark Sidebottom

09.30 Registration, tea and coffee

10.00 Welcome and introduction

Lisa McElherron – NICVA Head of Public Affairs

Opening Address 

Carál Ní Chuilín MLA - Minister for Culture Arts and Leisure

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 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

David Seaton - Athletics                                                  Kerry Spence – Rugby

Reflections on the morning and panel discussion

Barry McElduff MLAJohn McCallister MLA             Michael Boyd - IFA Head of Community Relations

Dr Caro-Lynne Ferris–Network Director Countryside Access & 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

The ‘Celebrating sporting volunteers’ conference will take place on Friday 2 December 2011, 10.00am–1.00pm at NICVA, 61 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast, BT15 2GB.