Volunteering a truly rewarding experience for Ann-Marie Miranda

This week is National Volunteer Week, an annual celebration by Volunteering Australia to acknowledge the generous contribution of our nation’s volunteers.

Water Polo Australia will be celebrating the hard work of our water polo volunteers from right across the country, today with Ann-Marie Miranda from Balmain Water Polo Club.

Ann-Marie is a long serving volunteer, having performed many roles for teams over the years.

“I’ve been volunteering at various organisations from an early age,” Ann-Marie said.

“My parents instilled in me to give back, so I started when I was a teenager and have been involved ever since,” she said.

“Volunteering is a great way to be an active part of the community, but it’s also a way of building friendships and making connections with some fantastic people.”

As someone who is involved at both a junior and senior level, Ann-Marie says it's the smiling faces of the players that keeps her motivated to volunteer.

“When I’m doing stuff with juniors, but also the senior teams, seeing the smiles on their faces is a truly rewarding experience,” Ann-Marie said.

“And that’s what keeps me coming back, knowing that my contribution is helping them to keep playing and stay involved at Balmain.”

Ann-Marie is involved across numerous aspects of the Club operations from the Club Secretary to coaching as well as team manager... just to name a few.

“More recently I’ve spent a lot more time with the junior program and seeing where we’ve come from with a few kids involved, to where it is now, was a dream come true,” Ann-Marie said.

“I can’t wait to be back at the pool, and especially Dawn Fraser Baths when they’re finished - it’s like my second home.”

Water Polo Australia and Balmain Water Polo Club would like to say thank you to Ann-Marie and the many other volunteers that make our sport great.

Stay tuned to the many more stories we will be sharing during National Volunteers Week. Want to show your appreciation towards our sporting volunteers? Wave a special smile of appreciation from your own home - upload your wave photo to social media and share using the hashtags #NVW2020 and #waveforvolunteers, and tag Volunteering Australia.

For more information about National Volunteer Week - click here