match commentators
Volunteer Role Description
Training Support
Time & VENUE
Key Tasks
Benefits Main Role
‘To effectively communicate, we must realise that we are all different in
the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to
our communication with others.’ – Tony Robbins
Do you have what it takes to describe all the action on and off the pitch? Can you
convey the sights, smells and atmosphere of a match night experience through your
words? To make rugby truly inclusive we are looking for a dedicated team of
volunteers who can make match night come alive for people affected by sight or
hearing loss.
So what’s in it for you?
You will have the opportunity to get involved in the sport you love, getting a unique
perspective on a match night and making new friends as part of the commentary
team. You will gain satisfaction from knowing that you are helping individuals with
sight or hearing loss to enjoy rugby as much as you do.
What will you be doing?
 Using the stadium’s audio equipment you will relay a second-by-second account of
the match as well as describing the sights and atmosphere around the stadium.
 You will work as part of a team, integrating guest commentators such as injured
players and referees.
 You could also be one of the ‘voices’ of the Nevin Spence Centre, helping to record
information about the Centre for visitors wishing to use the PENfriend system.
When and where?
We hope to recruit a team of 6 volunteers who will work in pairs on match nights
(generally Fridays or Saturdays) during the rugby season (late August- May). It is
hoped that working on a shared, rotational basis we will be able to have a
commentary team at all of the season’s fixtures.
The role will be reviewed every year at the end of the season with the potential for
the successful volunteers to renew their interest each year.
This role will be based at Kingspan Stadium, located beside the media suite in the
Grandstand.
Who will you be working with?
You will be assigned a dedicated Volunteer Manager and the Stadium Team will
provide support to you in carrying out the role.
What training will you receive to prepare you for the role?
You will receive your Volunteer Handbook as part of your induction, this should give
you all the basics to help you get started.
Respect
Integrity
Inclusivity
Fun
Excellence
Due to the very specific nature of this role we will be providing training around making
your commentary descriptive for people affected by sight loss. We will also arrange
for training through the Ulster Society of Rugby Football Referees to help you to keep
up to date with current regulations and hand signals.
Resources
What resources are available to support you in the role?
You will have access to the stadium audio equipment and as this is a new, developing
role your Volunteer Manager will work with you to identify any resources needed for
the role and will seek to provide them where appropriate.
Experience Skills & Qualities
Is this the right role for you?
IRFU (Ulster Branch) feels that in order to be successful in this role, you should:
 be passionate about rugby and in particular Ulster Rugby.
 have a good understanding of the game.
pROCEss
Throughout your volunteering, your Volunteer Manager will work with you to identify
any other relevant training opportunities.
What needs to happen before you can start?
Not everyone who registers for a role will be successful, it will depend on the number
of opportunities available, completion of an appropriate selection process and the
receipt of satisfactory references.
You will receive a match night pass to identify you as part of the team and to ensure
that you have access to the appropriate areas of the stadium on the nights you are
carrying out the role.
You should be passionate about rugby and have a desire to ensure that match night
is inclusive for everyone who wishes to come to Kingspan Stadium.
You should have excellent communication skills with the ability to set the
scene, describing all of the on-pitch action as well as the sights around the stadium.
You need to be calm, confident and have ‘a voice for radio’.
You need to be able to work as part of a team as well as being able to work on
your own initiative, adapting to the role as needed.
You should be prepared to make a commitment to providing a great experience for
the stadium visitors on match nights and to staying in the role for at least one season.
We anticipate great interest in this role so the shortlisting process will include
completion of our Volunteer Registration Form and submission of a descriptive
commentary on a rugby related image. After this there will be a further selection
event to ensure that we match the right people to this role.
All of these arrangements are binding in honour only and are not intended to be
legally binding. This role description should be considered as a guide only.
Respect
Integrity
Inclusivity
Fun
Excellence