Clare Camogie would like to congratulate Noreen Vaughan, Éire Óg on her selection as the Clare Camogie Volunteer of the Year for 2022. Noreen will be presented with her award on Friday, January 6th at Woodstock Hotel.

Clare Camogie Volunteer of the Year 2022

Noreen Vaughan took on the role of Healthy Club Officer for Éire Óg GAA, Camogie, LGFA in early 2022. In spite of some lingering Covid restrictions, Noreen fully embraced her new role and her enthusiasm and encouragement brought huge numbers of club members along with her.

Our camogie players and their parents (mostly the mammies!) were straight out on road in January 2022 under Noreens guidance for the Éire Óg Lights Up weekly walk in conjunction with Operation Transformation. The Éire Óg Lights Up 5k took place on Saturday, Feb 19th. There was a huge attendance. The Irish Life Healthy Clubs Steps Challenge started on January 19th and Éire Óg topped the leader board in Munster.

Club members were really enjoying the group walks, so in early March, Noreen introduced “ Walking Wednesdays” An improvement in the weather along with the brighter evenings meant that parents were able to partake while their young daughters attended camogie training on Wednesday evenings. Many new friendships were formed during these walks and some new and returning camogie players were encouraged to take up their hurleys again!

In April, Noreen began to organise the All Stars Programme for girls and boys with additional needs. What a success this was for the children, parents and coaches. Coaches came from the camogie, LGFA and GAA groups to help. A real sense of pride was palpable in Cusack Park on the last Sunday of October as the Éire Óg All Stars, along with the Corofin All Stars, displayed their amazing skills ahead of the Senior Football Final. Winning the football final was a bonus!

During the summer, Noreen invited coaches and members to take part in the SafeTALK Suicide Prevention Course. She also introduced an All In Gaelic Games for all nationalities and Ferns Friday Fitness Classes for parents that had children attending Friday evening training.

Noreen and Verona Faughey were invited to give a presentation on “Teamwork and Volunteerism” in Croke Park at the Irish Life Healthy Clubs Conference, where they highlighted these club initiatives.

Noreens work is invaluable to Éire Óg GAA, Camogie, LGFA. Her lovely smile and persuasive personality certainly contribute to her success. It is virtually impossible to say no to that smiling face! It helps that she’s great craic, as well!!

Thank you, Noreen.