Finola Owens – Volunteer
Finola Owens from Arney, Belnaleck is the volunteer that any club or County would want. The hard working Belnaleck GFC woman is married to Paul and has 5 children, Emma, Julie, Claire, Ciarán and Caolán. Work as a Customer Services Advisor in BT.
Owens who works as a Customer Services Advisor in BT in Enniskillen said, “I have been involved with GAA for many years being a member of Belnaleck Art MacMurrough’s competing in Scor from a young age. My vision is that everybody is welcomed to take part in our games and culture, to participate fully, to grow and develop and to be inspired to keep a lifelong involvement in the GAA.”
As Owens says herself she has been involved in football all her life, especially with her husband Peter being heavily involved and her children playing members of the Belnaleck GFC club. Owens enjoys her GAA roles and says “My first club executive roles included, Alcohol Substance Abuse Officer, Scor representative, Youth Officer and Club Secretary. At County level, I am involved in the following committees, Scor, Youth board, CCC and I am currently a member of Fermanagh County Management Committee as County Children’s Officer. The love for GAA has become my main social outlet. I believe in treating people with courtesy and respect and ‘Give Respect Get Respect’ should be promoted throughout all ages. I also believe the protection of all children is paramount.”
The Belnaleck club is currently striving for a second pitch and recently took on an initiative to reach every single GAA club in Ireland two weeks ago, Owens states that it has really brought the entire community together, “We set aside the most ambitious of targets as a club, BIKE1630 which is reaching out to the GAA club family across Ireland. The weekend saw club players, members, family and friends cycling to each club in the whole of Ireland. They stopped at each club and took a photograph and we aim to bring these photographs together in a publication later this year. Clubs bought a Golden ticket which will see them entered into a draw for a first prize of a Pre-season club training weekend for 30 people at the 5 star Lough Erne Golf Resort.”
Owens continued, “There were 210 volunteers including 150 cyclists, all dedicated towards helping the club develop a much new pitch for our kids. We were so thankful for the support we received from clubs and the wider GAA community across Ireland. Rivalries have been set aside, people like Malachy O Rourke the Monaghan Manager got behind Bike1630 and we are so grateful for the support we have received from clubs across Fermanagh and beyond.”
Belnaleck may not be in division 1 of the Senior Football league or contested in the Fermanagh Senior Football Championship for quite some time but with people like Finola Owens involved its clear to be seen Belnaleck may be a side certainly on the up.
By Tom Thu 2nd Jul
