Ballymena Lawn Tennis Club are proud to announce that our girls captain Eleanor Ireland, a student of Ballymena Academy, has become the first person in Northern Ireland to achieve 600 Hours service to volunteering.
Jane Gribben the Volunteer Now Community Engagement Manager wanted to highlight the incredible work of the volunteers within the tennis club. She stated:
“Volunteer Now was honoured to be part of Ballymena Lawn Tennis Club awards morning and particularly delighted to be recognising amazing young volunteers, like Eleanor Ireland for their volunteering commitment to the Ballymena Lawn Tennis Club.
"The young volunteers are truly inspirational and are true role models for those they support, coach and mentor.
"This is the first time that Volunteer Now has created and presented a 600 Hour Award through the Volunteer Now Impact Awards and Eleanor Ireland absolutely deserved to be recognised as the Young Volunteer of the Year.”
On her reasons for volunteering, Eleanor eluded to looking to encourage and empower young girls to play sport and stay active.
“As a teenage girl, I understand the struggles girls encounter in sport," Eleanor said. "For me, tennis has helped improve my confidence and develop invaluable life skills. This is part of the reason I have enjoyed volunteering, as I understand the importance of empowering girls to reach their full potential and to not give up on what they enjoy doing.”
Director of Coaching Barry Clarke highlighted the significance of having Eleanor volunteer in the club.
“Eleanor is quite simply a trail blazer in the club. She was the first junior who wanted to volunteer in the club, at the age of 12, and ever since had been leading the way.
"The club now has 16 junior volunteers who help out at various sessions, which is very much needed as the club continues to grow. Eleanor really helped pave the way for this.
"She is a true role model for females in sport and the club we’re proud to award her as volunteer of the year!”