Aussie water polo athletes thank volunteers as part of National Volunteer Week

Water Polo Australia is this week celebrating our hard working water polo volunteers as part of National Volunteer Week.

Aussie Stingers Bron Knox and Zoe Arancini joined Aussie athletes from around the country in thanking volunteers, as part of the campaign led by the Australian Institute of Sport.

For triple Olympian Knox, when it came to selecting one volunteer she couldn’t go past Gina Fabian, a dedicated volunteer from her home town of Brisbane.

“No matter what the event, Gina is always on the pool deck to land a hand,” Knox said

“The junior competitions in Brisbane would struggle without Gina’s contribution,” she said.

Gina was humbled to be acknowledged by Knox, adding she had goosebumps thinking about her journey.

“I first met Bronny when she was playing water polo with my youngest daughter Laura,” Gina said.

“They played in so many teams together, at a club, state and national level.”

Bron Knox (player) and Gina Fabian (manager) part of Queensland U16 Representative team (2001)

“The journey that she’s had has been phenomenal to watch - I love watching her play, she is nothing short of amazing.

“I’m so humbled to know that I’ve been a part of that journey for Bron too,”she said.

Gina’s contribution to water polo extends far beyond the roles she plays on pool deck, stemming from a desire to simply help out.

“When my kids started playing polo at Valley Pool all those years ago, I’d sit in the stands and watch,” Gina said.

“But one day I saw the people down on the table and thought I’d go down and see if they needed a hand, and I’ve been involved ever since then,” she said.

Gina has volunteered at the London 2012 Olympic Games and multiple World Championships, but for her it's seeing the smiles on the faces of the kids that is so rewarding.

“Seeing the kids, the players, enjoy their water polo, is something truly special,” Gina said.

“The excitement on their faces when they score their first goal or play their first game, and then witnessing the confidence they gain after that - you just can’t help but smile yourself.”

“I love being around the pool, I’ve got a few kids of my own but I feel like I’ve gained a massive water polo family through volunteering,” she said

Gina was one of the many volunteers celebrated through the AIS campaign by Aussie athletes to celebrate National Volunteers Week.

Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) CEO Peter Conde said the role that volunteers play in delivering sport across the country and in supporting athletes on their sporting journey should never be undervalued.

"The AIS wants to show our support to Australia’s volunteers through National Volunteers Week, in recognition of the millions of volunteers who make sport possible for so many,” said Conde.

"Working with athletes, we want to share a simple message of 'thank you', to the coaches, officials, team managers, groundskeepers, canteen workers, gear stewards and plenty more, that support the enjoyment of sport across Australia.

"Our high performance athletes all have volunteers who have helped them at many points in their career. This week is our chance to say thanks.

"As we continue on the path to a safe return to sport, we will again be looking towards our sporting volunteers to help get grassroots and high performance sport back up and running.

"Join our athletes in showing your support of National Volunteers Week, share a "thank you" message on social media or pick up the phone to the volunteer that helps in your sport.”

Water Polo Australia would like to thank Gina, and the many other volunteers that make our sport great.