|
Owen McNamee recipient of the UCD Club Administrator of the Year
Award, pictured with Mr. Gerry Horkan, Hon. Secretary of the UCD Athletic Union Council and the President Dr. Hugh Brady.
The annual UCD Budweiser Sports Achievement Awards ceremony was held
in the Student Centre on May 23rd. Over three hundred students were honoured on the night for their sporting achievements on behalf of
the University.
Among them World University Dressage Champion Gerald Bloomer who was also named as the Dr. Tony O'Neill Sportsperson of the Year. Gerald,
a final year Law student and captain of the UCD Equestrian Club,
secured the individual Dressage Gold and overall team Gold for Ireland at the World University Equestrian Championships in Tokyo
last winter.
Gerald Bloomer, Dr. Tony O'Neill Sportsperson of the Year
Award recipient, pictured with Mrs. Joanna O'Neill.
In addition to his sporting abilities, Gerald has played a pivotal
role in the development of the UCD Equestrian Club. As club captain this year and committee member in previous years, there is no doubt
but that through his organization of the club and his coaching of fellow club members that he has contributed significantly to the
success of the UCD Equestrian Club.
In recognition of the outstanding contribution club committees make to sporting life at UCD, it was decided this year to introduce a new
award to the Sports Achievements Awards evening, the Club Administrator of the Year Award.
Often we forget that without the time, effort, enthusiasm and dedication of club officials sport would not happen at UCD. Sports
clubs at UCD are primarily run by students for students and it is important that club
officials get the due recognition they deserve.
Looking after equipment, organizing training, booking accommodation, filling out paper work etc. are all integral elements of running a
club. However, they are usually tasks done by a small group of people behind the scenes. Without club administrators there would be no
sport in UCD.
The first recipient of the Club Administrator of the Year Award was
Owen McNamee, a final year Commerce student and captain of the UCD Fencing Club.
Celebrating it's 50th year the UCD Fencing Club
hosted six major competitions during the year including the Intervarsities and the East of Ireland, for which Owen took on the
primary responsibility of organizing. As well as continuing to train and compete at the highest level himself, he attended every beginner
training session and indeed coached the new members of the club. During his tenure the club has seen an increase in it's membership
and indeed retained more members than in previous years.
Another notable award winner on the evening was Handballer Patrick Clerkin, who was named the Veterinary College Sportsperson of the
Year and presented with the David O'Connor Memorial medal by the President Dr. Hugh Brady. Patrick won the World "A" Collegiate
Singles Title at the World Collegiate Championships.
|
