Volleyball Australia celebrates volunteers making communities ‘better together’

As we celebrate National Volunteer Week (16-22 May) this week, Volleyball Australia (VA) joins the rest of the volleyball community in recognising and saying a big ‘thank you’ to its amazing volunteers, who tirelessly support grassroots sport, club activities and volleyball events across the country.

This year’s National Volunteer’s week theme is ‘better together’, as Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering highlights the crucial contribution made by more than three million Australians who volunteer every year, including those who choose sport to make a difference in their community.

“Volunteering was the way I inserted myself into the local community,” said Robyn McCurdy, who currently volunteers as Club Treasurer and Asset Manager for the ACT Dragons Volleyball Club.

Over the years, Robyn has moved across the country a lot, following her husband’s military career. Volunteering has always played a big part in how she integrated within the social fabric in each new location, at various stages offering her support to her husband’s sporting club, her children’s schools or their sporting groups.

Volunteering became a way for Robyn to find her place in the new community and an avenue to help and contribute, something she was motivated to do since she was very young.

“In a sense, I think I’ve always been a volunteer,” she confessed. “You know, that annoying child in class who was always helping!”

When the family settled in Canberra, Robyn and her husband became part of a small group of like-minded people who started the Dragons volleyball club in 2009. After that, she continued to play a big role in the development of the club, managing teams, facilitating the running of training sessions and the operation of the Dragons’ Light Volley program.

Always keen to help out at every opportunity, Robyn got involved in VA events, manning the merchandise stands for Volleyball Australia at national and international events.

Robyn said having an opportunity to meet new people is what she loves the most about her volunteering experience.

“I have just finished a stint with home-staying young athletes who leave their families to come to Canberra to hopefully fulfil their dreams in the sport.

“Over the years I have met many families and made many friends within the volleyball community. I’ve watched these young athletes achieve their goals and go on to bigger and better things and it’s been a very special time in my life,” she said.

Like many others who commit their time to ensure sporting clubs can thrive, Robyn is always encouraging towards new volunteers and keen to point out that there is always a role for everyone, no matter their background, within the welcoming and supporting Australian volleyball volunteering community.

“Just do what you can,” she said. “Every little bit helps.”

National Volunteer Week is a chance for all of us to celebrate and recognise the vital work of our amazing volunteers and to say thank you for their contribution.

Put your hand up and wave your appreciation for volunteers by adding a smiley face on your hand and uploading your photo to social media using #WaveForVolunteers, #NVW2022 and tagging @ausvolley on Instagram or @VolleyballAustralia on Facebook.