Ciarán McWilliams has been appointed as the first humanist pastoral carer to a rugby team in Northern Ireland. He will provide emotional and spiritual support to players, coaches, and fans at Ophir Rugby Football Club based in Mallusk.
Most rugby teams in Northern Ireland are aligned to either the Protestant or the Catholic community. Ophir, now in its centenary year, is one of the few secular clubs. In recent years it has led the way in promoting inclusion and diversity in the game. The Azlans – the region’s first predominantly gay team – joined the club in 2018, and Ophir launched a girls’ and women’s section last year.
McWilliams trained as a humanist pastoral carer in 2018. He did so after having received support personally whilst in hospital. Since then, he has become the pastoral care lead for Northern Ireland Humanists and Northern Ireland Coordinator for the Non-Religious Pastoral Support Network. He is also part of the first team to provide humanist care in Maghaberry Prison.
He will now support the emotional, pastoral, and spiritual needs of members of the club through the highs and lows of its playing season and beyond. He will have regular visits to training sessions and matches for all club sections. He will develop relationships with players, coaches, and parents, and be available for those in need away from club facilities.
Speaking on his appointment Ciarán McWilliams commented: ‘It is a wonderful honour to be asked to support the rugby club I love in this way. I’ve been a member of Ophir RFC for over 30 years as a player, referee, coach, youth convenor, and committee member. In the last three years, as youth coach and convenor I’ve needed to use my pastoral care experience and training many times. Each time the interactions were unique and it was clear that a role offering emotional support was needed at the club.’
Will Lucas, Chairman Ophir RFC said: ‘Moving away from Mallusk to our new partnership with University of Ulster Jordanstown on our centenary year has been challenging but it has allowed us to grow. Our growth and inclusivity is something we are proud of at Ophir whether it be our mini rugby, youth boys section, Azlans, senior men, or new girls’ and women’s sections. We really have created a community feel at the club and with that in mind we are excited that Ciarán McWilliams will be taking the lead in providing that community and its members with emotional support and helping look after the wellbeing of our club.’
Northern Ireland Humanists Coordinator Boyd Sleator commented: ‘This appointment represents a significant step towards equal pastoral care for non-religious people. The non-religious are the fastest-growing demographic group in Northern Ireland. The 2020 Life and Times Survey showing 27% of adults now belong to no religion – an increase of 7% from 2019. Yet pastoral care is a field that is still dominated by religious chaplaincy. It is important across all our institutions that they also provide non-religious pastoral care. That is true for hospitals, prisons, and indeed sports clubs.’
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For further comment or information, please contact Northern Ireland Humanists Coordinator Boyd Sleator at boyd@humanists.uk or phone 02890 029946.
Read more about the Non-Religious Pastoral Support Network.
Read more about Northern Ireland Humanists.
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