Volunteering is a team effort at Drummoyne Water Polo Club

As part of National Volunteer Week, an annual celebration by Volunteering Australia to acknowledge the generous contribution of our nation’s volunteers, Water Polo Australia has this week be celebrating the great work of our volunteers.

Today’s acknowledgement goes out to two members Drummoyne Water Polo Club, starting off with Club Treasurer, Kym Hooper.

“Volunteering is just something I like to do, I like to be involved and help out where I can,” Kym said.

“I’ve got a skillset where my background is in accounting and I like to be able to use my skills to help out so that’s how I started out as treasurer.

“But now I just love being at the club, being around the pool and being involved with games. I love going to and watching games as well.

“It doesn’t matter whether we win, lose or draw, it's rewarding seeing the players play and we’re also super lucky to have a clubhouse where all of our members can come together,” she said

There is, however, one special memory that Kym holds from her time volunteering at Drummoyne.

“Last year when the Croatian men's team came to Australia we were lucky enough to host one of the games,” Kym said.

“That was a massive operation, we had about 80-100 volunteers that all pitched in to make it happen and it was fantastic to see it all come together.

“Outside of the elite side, I also enjoy seeing 150 smiling faces at our kids Friday night program.

“Our program has really grown in recent times and it’s hard not to smile when you see so many kids enjoying their water polo,”she said.

Another Drummoyne Water Polo Club volunteer who needs no introduction is Michael Hahn, who has been an integral part of the Club.

Dual Olympian Aidan Roach said when it came to recognising a volunteer as part of National Volunteers Week, he couldn’t go past Michael Hahn.

“Michael was a really important person not only me but some of the other Drummoyne athletes like Tyler (Martin) and Mitch (Emery),” Roach said.

“He really changed the whole organisation out at Drummoyne and was instrumental to bringing in a National League team,” he said.

“I remember when we were young he used to drive us to and from training - one time he even went an hour out of his way to come pick me up to take me to a tournament.”

“So Michael is really special to me, our sport wouldn’t be possible without people like him,” he said.

Water Polo Australia and Drummoyne Water Polo Club would like to say thank you to Kym, Michael 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.