As organisation’s around Australia celebrate National Volunteer week, Netball Queensland has encouraged its broad community across the state to celebrate the selfless contribution of the thousands of volunteers that help drive the game in Queensland.
National Volunteer Week is the annual acknowledgement of the generous contribution of our nation’s volunteers. At this uncertain time, it is more important than ever to recognise and acknowledge Australia’s volunteers.
This year’s National Volunteer Week theme is changing communities, changing lives which, appropriately, closely mirrors Netball Queensland’s vision of transforming lives through netball.
Netball Queensland CEO, Catherine Clark, said sport would be lost without the driving force of volunteers.
“Throughout my career I’ve had the privilege to work with volunteers, and volunteer myself, across a variety of sports in many different countries. Regardless of which sport or where you are, the passion, commitment and selflessness of volunteers remains consistent and we are greatly indebted to them for their invaluable service and contribution,” Clark said.
Netball Queensland has a volunteer workforce of more than 10,000 passionate fans of the game, Mums and Dads who coach, manage, umpire, score, sit on the committee, administer competitions and foster player pathways.
Mums and Dads like Kayleen and Mark Jordan from the Northern Gold Coast Netball Association. Between them, Mark and Kayleen have worn a variety of different hats at both Club and Association level including coach, umpire, committee member, Men’s and Mixed Netball advocate and of course their most important role as netball parents to three kids who themselves are players and umpires.
According to Kayleen, volunteering was a natural part of investing in their children’s passion for netball.
“We’ve been involved since our kids started NetSetGO so netball has been our weekends for the past decade - it’s a family activity that we get a great deal of satisfaction from.”
“I’m a firm believer in building kids’ capacity and confidence through the transformative power of team sport and it’s very rewarding to watch these young kids develop both on and off the court.”
For Mark, it’s the sense of community that netball provides which drives his passion to do all he can for those who love to play the game.
“My biggest motivation is to help these girls and boys fulfill their potential and ensure they have every opportunity possible to engage in the game they love.”
“Community sport is all about working together for the greater good so you simply roll up your sleeves and do what’s necessary, but to see the smiles and enjoyment on the faces of these kids every time they take the court makes it all worthwhile.”
Netball Queensland extends its most sincere thanks to the volunteer workforce at the heart of our game across the state. Without your dedication and selflessness, we simply couldn’t deliver netball to the consistently high standard our members enjoy. That is the result of your endless hard work and for that we are truly grateful.
