Bray Hockey Club’s long-term member Ruth McDonagh has been recognised at a national level for the range and longevity of her volunteering within the club and as part of the larger hockey community.

The Federation of Irish Sport with the support of Local Sports Partnerships, including Wicklow, hosted the Volunteers in Sports awards on Thursday 29th February 2024 at The Crowne Plaza in Blanchardstown to recognise and celebrate the dedication of volunteers across the 29 Local Sports Partnerships.

Having volunteered for over two decades in a range of roles in Bray Hockey Club including committee, umpiring and organising social events, Ruth McDonagh’s nomination also highlighted her ongoing involvement with indoor hockey and national underage squads.

In particular this year’s nomination also recognised Ruth’s initiative and organisation of the launch of Bray’s first ever inclusive Hockey ID team which has now successfully gone on to participate in its first full season.

Attending the awards with Ruth, Club President Steven Jones noted “Bray Hockey Club has always depended on volunteers and we owe our successful thirty years to a large panel of people who have stepped up for the club. Ruth is a great example of members who develop initiatives for the improvement of the club or who give up their own time to ensure its ongoing success.

Bray HC were delighted when Wicklow Sports Local Partnership accepted the nomination and are very proud that one of our volunteers has been awarded the top prize in our County of Wicklow.”