Rugby volunteer Billy Dickson has been recognised by the IRFU after 65 years with Ards RFC, a story that stands out in sports ireland for all the right reasons. The long-serving Ards clubman has been named the IRFU Boots Award winner for the 2025/26 season, rewarding a lifetime of work that helped sustain grassroots rugby in his community.
Dickson’s link with Ards RFC stretches back to 1960. Over the decades, he has filled almost every role a club could ask for: player, captain, coach, administrator, mentor and groundsman. That breadth of service explains why this honour carries real weight, not just for Ards, but across irish sports and the wider club game.
Why Billy Dickson’s award matters in sports ireland
The IRFU Boots Award is one of the most respected honours in ireland rugby. It reflects the values of loyalty, service and commitment at club level, with roots in the famous boots donated by Willie John McBride. In Dickson’s case, the award recognises not one season of work, but six and a half decades of steady contribution.
- He joined Ards RFC in 1960
- He served as player, captain, coach and administrator
- He becomes only the second Ards member to win the award
- Ards are now the only club in Ulster with two Boots Award winners
That last point is especially significant. Previous winner John Hamilton was honoured in 1984, and his legacy remains central to the club through Hamilton Park. Dickson’s recognition now adds another important chapter to Ards history and underlines the value of ireland community sports and volunteer culture.
A special presentation at Hamilton Park will see past Boots Award recipients gather to hand Dickson his green jacket. It should be a fitting occasion for a man whose influence has been felt on the touchline, in the committee room and behind the scenes for generations.
For readers following sports ireland, this is a timely reminder that the health of rugby ireland and local clubs often depends on figures like Billy Dickson. The next thing to watch is the Hamilton Park celebration, where Ards RFC will honour a volunteer whose impact reaches far beyond one award.
Image Courtesy: Irish Rugby
