Ever thought you could turn your pastime into a career? Well that is what Gary Boyd, Ballymena Borough Council’s, Community Sports Development Officer achieved over ten years ago.

Gary began working with the council in September 2004 after working for two years in a similar role with the Irish Football Association. Gary states “Through the ‘Sport in Our Community’ investment programme Ballymena Community Sport set out to increase participation in sport and physical activity on a regular basis, for young people from within the Ballykeel, Ballee, Dunclug and Fair Green wards in the town.”

“Back then all I had was an office, a computer and a blank page!” he continued. A long way from the investment made through Gary over the last four and half years which resulted in Ballymena Community Sport Programme coming runner-up in the UK’s National Lottery Awards in August 2008, an event that was broadcast live on national television, as well as Gary being a Finalist in this years Local Government Awards for Employee of the Year!

So how did he get there? Gary explains “I worked in a factory for eleven years, while I played part-time football and as my playing days neared their end I began coaching kids soccer. I found I really enjoyed it and I explored the possibilities of getting a career in coaching.” 

Gary ended up attending night classes studying for the qualification required to attend a coaching and management degree in England. He explains “The only real qualifications I had then were my football coaching badges, so education was a bit daunting for me at first. But once I adjusted it all worked out very well as I eventually qualified with a BA (Hons) degree and achieved my UEFA ‘A’ Coaching Licence.” 

Gary also gained employment at Crewe Alexandra’s famed Youth Academy working under the guidance of top coach Dario Gradi, while he attended University in Manchester. After a short stint coaching football in California, USA he returned home to work for the Irish Football Association as a Youth Development Officer. “My contract with the IFA was nearing its end when the job as Community Sports Development Officer with the council came up” he continues. “I really had no idea what the job was going to entail but once I started I was told to find out what I though would best serve the needs of the community through the ‘Sport in Our Community’ investment objectives and deliver the best I could.”

Well that certainly seems to have proved very successful with nearly 2500 participants, from within the Ballymena area registered with the programme, most of whom have benefited from coaching programmes that have included football, rugby, hockey, basketball, trampolining, Ju-Jitsu, cricket, golf, dance and outdoor pursuits among others.

Gary has many aspects to his role and is involved in accessing funding, budget management, planning and development, promotion and marketing, monitoring and evaluation as well as being out in the community meeting with the local people involved and helping the coaches with the delivery of the initiatives he has created.

“No two days are the same in my job and balancing everything with just the Community Sport Assistant, Lesley McLaughlin, and myself is quite a challenge sometimes. No matter what we have just achieved there is always the next scheme or initiative to be undertaken and we are regularly balancing planning and delivery with monitoring and evaluation on several projects at a time on an on-going basis. “

“However, when you see the difference the projects make to peoples lives then you know it was always worth the effort. It is very rewarding to see the progress that the children (and coaches from the local community) have made over the four and a half years we have been in existence.”

“Personally I have a strong belief in the benefits of sport and physical activity in general as it creates confidence and self esteem in its participants, enhances communication skills, teamwork and can create responsible, motivated young citizens who can make a positive contribution to society. Sport also provides an environment to understand diversity, tackles anti-social behaviour as well as promoting an understanding of the benefits of exercise to facilitate physical health and well being.”

 

 

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