Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club's Young Ambassador contest winner to compete in national final

Pictured above are: Jack Flavin (centre) winner of Carrick Lions Club’s Young Ambassador of the 21st Century district final with from left: Carrick Lions Club Young Ambassador Competition Coordinator Shirley O’Shea, Young Ambassador final judge Myles Mitchell, Jack Flavin, Lions Club President Maura Barrett and runners up Danielle O’Dwyer, Scoil Mhuire, Carla O’Connor, 3rd Tipperary Scouts, Carrick Branch.

A student who is campaigning to refurbish a rundown basketball court in his home town has been chosen to represent Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club in the Lions Young Ambassador national final in Dublin later this month  

Jack Flavin, a student of St Declan’s Community College in Kilmacthomas, won Carrick Lions Club’s Young Ambassador of the 21st Century district final earlier this month. He was presented with the plaque by Carrick Lions Club’s outgoing Young Ambassador Hannah Bracken.

The Portlaw teenager won the district final for his presentation about refurbishing a dilapidated basketball court in Portlaw.

He advocated for work to be done on the court with line painting and a bench installed for spectators.
Jack was named Carrick Lions Club’s Young Ambassador district final winner at the club’s youth awards ceremony in the Nano Nagle Community Centre’s chapel on December 3.

He was one of three nominees for the district final of the awards scheme that recognises young people aged between 15 and 19 for their outstanding community service, leadership accomplishments and communications skills.

The other local finalists were Carla O’Connor from the 3rd Tipperary Scouts, Carrick-on-Suir Branch and Danielle O’Dwyer from Carrick-on-Suir’s Scoil Mhuire Secondary School.

Delighted to have won the award, Jack spoke of how work can now be done to bring the basketball court up to spec that will again facilitate basketball games and practice.

Carrick Lions Club Youth Ambassador Award Coordinator Shirley O’Shea congratulated the Young Ambassador Award participants and overall winner on their proposed projects and their vision for a better local environment for all to enjoy.

She recalled how Carrick-on-Suir student Kendra Watson achieved 2nd place in the European Final of the Lions Young Ambassador of the 21st Century Awards in 2022 for her proposed community sensory garden, which is now located in the grounds of Carrick Heritage Centre.

Myles Mitchell, one of the judges, also congratulated the finalists on their accomplishments and praised the students for focusing on the needs in their communities.

He complimented each of them on the vibrant presentations of their ideas and how they had carefully researched them and sourced the potential costs of putting it all together.

President of Carrick Lions Club Maura Barrett also congratulated the Young Ambassador competition participants and encouraged the students to continue their good work.

Pictured below: Carrick Lions Club's Young Ambassador for 2022 Hannah Bracken handing over the plaque to winner of the Young Ambassador Award for 2023, Jack Flavin. Also in the photo is President of Carrick-on-Suir & District Lions Club Maura Barrett. Pictures Anne Marie Magorrian