Tramore surfing stalwart, Hugh O’Brien Moran will receive nationwide recognition for his dedicated work with T-Bay Surf Club this evening (Wednesday).
Hugh is the Waterford winner at the virtual 2020 Federation of Irish Sport Volunteers in Sport awards.
Hugh was a founding member of South Coast Surf Club in 1969, he helped organise it, ran contests and kept it going during a time when it was a minority sport in the extreme. Now called T-Bay Surf Club, it grew thanks to the efforts of Hugh and others.
Hugh who turns 70 this year became the Irish Surfing Champion for the third year in a row at the age of 35. He eventually was a five-time Irish champion and represented Ireland at international surf contests all over the world. He was also a silver medalist at the European Championships in France in 1985.
Hugh says he's flattered and honoured to win the award:
"I'm very honoured and flattered but I think it's a club effort and the sort of enthusiasm that I may have infects others and they infect it back to me, and when there's this common interest you end up doing a lot more than you would if you were doing it on your own."
Hugh says the interest in surfing is growing all the time, he says there are now around 50 surf schools and 15 surf clubs around the country. At T-bay, the membership has grown to over 300 hundred members. And Hugh is still there coaching and sharing his love for the sport.
The Volunteers in Sport Awards were created to champion the contribution, commitment and dedication of the 450,000 volunteers across the country who go above and beyond by giving their time to Irish sport and physical activity each year.
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 this week’s virtual Volunteers in Sport awards.”
