Volunteers - Hidden Heroes of the Game

Volunteers – Hidden Heroes of the Game

1st October 2019

This ‘Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week’ we are taking a closer look at the leaders behind the leaders in women and girls sport. So, today, we want to shine a #SPOTLIGHT on the hidden heroes of the game, our Volunteers.

Netball as a sport is growing in Scotland at a fantastic pace but it can only continue to do so through the immense dedication of our sport’s incredible volunteers. These women are #ChangingTheGame and shaping netball for the future, which is why in this article we thought we’d introduce you to some of them:

Margaret Barr – Bench Official for Netball Scotland and Strathclyde Sirens.

Where do you currently volunteer for NS/Sirens? “I act as a Bench Official wherever I am asked to do so by Netball Scotland and Sirens. Been all over the country. Last year I was asked by Netball Scotland to deliver a Bench Official course to the Isle of Man netball. Great fun helping other associations and spreading the good name of Netball Scotland.”

When did you begin Volunteering for NS/Sirens?
“I have been volunteering for a very long time. I began as a coach over 40 years ago and have been a coach, umpire, helped organise netball in my local district and now I am a bench official.”

Why did you begin volunteering for NS/Sirens?“I do it because I enjoy it and always have. I get a great deal of pleasure from it and you meet lots of fabulous people. You also have the advantage of meeting all the players and also attending world class competitions.”

What is your most memorable moment volunteering for NS/Sirens?
“My most memorable moment volunteering is really difficult to choose because they are all enjoyable for different reasons. However, I think it must be at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014. Fabulous experience.”

Margaret Barr on why you should #GetInvolved and volunteer with Netball in Scotland:
“I would encourage everyone to volunteer for Netball Scotland and Sirens because it is a fantastic experience and you meet so many fabulous people. Some of the people I have met through netball volunteering have become very close friends. Above all netball is a team game and volunteering is my way of being part of the team. It’s Super fun!!!”

Jackie Gregory – Bench Manager for Netball Scotland and Strathclyde Sirens

When did you begin Volunteering for NS/Sirens?
“My first event was at Kelvinhall, back in the day when you literally just recorded centre passes and goals for each team, things have moved on a lot since then!”

Why did you begin volunteering for NS/Sirens? “I first started volunteering in 1993 when my late husband came out of the army, he was ill and I was his full-time carer, volunteering was my time for me and also getting to be part of a sport I love.”

What is your most memorable moment volunteering for NS/Sirens?
“I have lots of great memories but probably my favourite was receiving volunteer of the year and also being selected to do major competitions like our home commonwealth games was an honour.”

Jackie Gregory on why you should #GetInvolved and volunteer with Netball in Scotland: “Everybody should volunteer as you get so much out of it and it’s great to be part of a wonderful team of athletes and volunteers and play a part in the growing success of this sport. The Real Beautiful Game.”

Kay Cherrie – Front of House Volunteer for Strathclyde Sirens and Netball Scotland

Where do you currently Volunteer for Netball Scotland? “I volunteer as Front of House and help place volunteers in their positions within the Emirates and elsewhere when required.”

When did you begin Volunteering for NS/Sirens?
“2016! Sirens first home match of the season and for NS a number of years ago”

Why did you begin volunteering for NS/Sirens? “I enjoy meeting new people and helping to promote netball”

What is your most memorable moment volunteering for NS/Sirens?
“My most memorable moment is anytime the Sirens or the Thistles win!”

Kay Cherrie on why you should #GetInvolved and volunteer with Netball in Scotland: “It is a great experience and getting to know the staff at Netball Scotland and the players makes it more enjoyable”

Frances-Anne Doyle – U17 Assistant Coach and Bench Manager for Netball Scotland and Strathclyde Sirens

Where do you currently volunteer for NS/Sirens? “I’m based across the country just dependent on training and events.”

When did you begin Volunteering for NS/Sirens? “It was around 2010 when I was training to become a bench official and I participated in National Finals day that year but my first major event was the World Youth Cup in Glasgow in 2013.”
Why did you begin volunteering for NS/Sirens? “It was something I had always been interested in, I volunteered for some Wildcats matches back in the day and went on a stats course and from here I was hooked. The role has grown massively and when the opportunity to participate in the Commonwealth Games came up I took every opportunity to train and get there as one of the Technical Officials.”

What is your most memorable moment volunteering for NS/Sirens “There truly have been too many too mention the Technical Officials have become a big family and are a fantastic bunch to work with, we have enjoyed hosting events and participating in training in places like Gibraltar, Dublin and Isle of Man and many a road trips to deliver events for NS or just support our athletes in Superleague. But the most memorable I would say is Technical Bench Manager in the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Final, the venue, the athletes, everything just became a true turning point for Netball in Scotland and even the UK. Amazing experience!”

Frances-Anne Doyle on why you should #GetInvolved and volunteer with Netball in Scotland:

“There are so many opportunities to volunteer whether it be at your local club, district or even on the national stage but I would say you don’t need to be a athlete or coach or even know the rules of Netball inside out to help. We have so many roles and are often the unsung heroes on match days. behind the scenes so much happens you don’t know about, but we rely on our volunteer workforce to help deliver the best experience for everyone and it’s something the athletes themselves really appreciate. We are always on the lookout for Match Bench Officials, if you have an interest in stats and numbers or would love the opportunity to be courtside helping to control the match, get in touch. It’s an intense course but the opportunities are endless, who knows Birmingham 2022 is just around the corner.”

We hope Margaret, Jackie, Kay and Frances Anne’s stories have inspired you to #GetInvolved and become a volunteer for Netball Scotland or Strathclyde Sirens there are so many opportunities just waiting for you.

In fact, why not take our volunteering survey, it should only take 10 minutes. This will help us inform our volunteering strategy review and improve the experience that Netball Scotland provide.

TAKE THE SURVEY HERE

We have an incredible group of volunteers here at Netball Scotland so we want to take this opportunity to thank all of our volunteers for their relentless dedication to netball, our sport wouldn’t be where it is without you!

If you know an incredible volunteer who is #ChangingTheGame make sure you share their story using the hashtags #SheCanSheWill and #ChangingTheGame and while you’re at it tag us here at Netball Scotland & Strathclyde Sirens too, you can find us on: