Volunteer Liam feted for tireless dedication
Liam’s work with Ross Town feted
LOCAL SOCCER stalwart Liam Rossiter received nationwide recognition for his dedicated work with New Ross Town Football Club last week.
The enthusiastic coach and manager was selected as the Wexford recipient at the virtual Federation of Irish Sport Volunteers in Sport awards, an event supported by EBS Mortgage Masters.
Liam’s impact is not only visible to his club but is seen throughout the community and wider county, since he is known to all and sundry as the man who runs New Ross Town FC.
He is an inclusive and welcoming man, who encourages everyone from all walks of life and backgrounds.
The club provides a space for everyone to be themselves without judgement and strives to ensure that football is provided for all regardless of their ability.
Through Liam Rossiter, the club’s profile in the community has increased.
New Ross Town FC continues to aid and support the people in its environs through social inclusion, nurturing the talent of young people, providing volunteers to act as stewards for locally-run council events, and providing a space for everyone to feel part of something which brings out the best in them.
Liam was honoured on Tuesday of last week as one of the county winners from Leinster at the special virtual awards ceremony.
The Volunteers in Sport Awards were created to champion the contribution, commitment and dedication of the army of 450,000 volunteers across the country who go above and beyond by giving their time to Irish sport and physical activity each year.
These volunteers dedicate some 37.2 million hours of volunteering across the country’s 13,000+ sports clubs and associations every year.
Towards the end of 2020, members of the public, as well as sports clubs and governing bodies, were invited to nominate an individual whose contributions to sport has made a real difference to their community, club or county.
The nominations and award recipients were selected by a judging panel consisting of eleven individuals drawn from sports administration, the volunteer community and media, including former Director General of the GAA, Páraic Duffy, RTÉ broadcaster, Marie Crowe, and CEO of CARA, Niamh Daffy.
Speaking about the awards, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport, Mary O’Connor, said: ‘Sport plays a central role in the social fabric of every community in Ireland, yet it would not happen at all without the army of volunteers who dedicate their time and expertise across pitches, courts, tracks, pools and community halls across the country.
‘This year, more than ever before, we have seen just how essential the role of the volunteer is in our local communities and to this end, it will be an honour to be able to recognise so many of these volunteers at the virtual Volunteers in Sport awards.
‘I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to all of this year’s recipients, and also thank EBS for their amazing support in bringing the awards – and wider recognition of volunteers in sport in Ireland – to life.’