Club: St Vincent’s Water Polo Club
County: Meath
Volunteer Roles: Coaching, Player Development and Mentoring
Inspiring the Next Generation of Girls in Water Polo
At just 24, Cliona Colvin has already spent more than six years helping develop the next generation of female water polo players.
Her volunteering journey began while she was still at school, giving up Friday evenings to coach the youngest members of St Vincent’s Water Polo Club.
Today, she is the lead coach across the club’s girls’ teams, dedicating Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings to training while regularly travelling to Galway, Belfast and other venues at weekends for league fixtures.
Over the past three seasons, Cliona has coached the club’s Under-16 girls at both Leinster and national league level, subsequently taking on additional responsibility for the girls’ National League Division 2 team.
Her influence extends beyond her own club. She coaches within the Leinster regional structure and serves as an assistant coach with the national Under-16 girls’ team.
Alongside these responsibilities, Cliona continues to compete at a high level for club and country, while balancing full-time employment and further study.
One of the most impressive elements of her contribution is her commitment to developing future coaches. She has begun mentoring another young female coach at St Vincent’s, sharing her knowledge and helping create the next generation of volunteers.
In a sport with a relatively small participation base in Ireland, the dedication of individuals such as Cliona is particularly valuable.
Her nomination describes her as an outstanding role model, respected by players and coaches alike, whose encouragement and commitment have a lasting influence on the young women she works with.
Cliona Colvin is a deserving member of the inaugural ClubSpot Sport for Business 30 Under 30 Young Volunteers in Sport, demonstrating how one young volunteer can influence not just the players they coach today, but the future of an entire sport.
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The ClubSpot Sport for Business 30 Under 30 Young Volunteers in Sport celebrates outstanding young volunteers making a difference in clubs and communities across Ireland.
Nominations for the 2026 listing will remain open until Friday, November 20th, 2026.
SEE WHO ELSE HAS BEEN NOMINATED SO FAR THIS YEAR
Nominations can cover the full breadth of volunteering, from coaching and officiating to administration, communications, fundraising, inclusion, safeguarding, event delivery, facilities, and the many other roles that help strengthen a club.
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