Water Polo Australia celebrates National Volunteer Week 2020

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, starting with Alex Gunnell and Gabby Groves from Fremantle Water Polo Club in WA.

Alex and Gabby are just two of Fremantle’s volunteers that form an integral part of their club.

Alex has been in water polo for most of his life, turning his attention as a player to coach, manager, referee or other jobs needed around the club.

“I just want to give back to the sport I love,” Alex said.

“Anything that I can do to help inspire the next generation and give them any opportunity to play, that’s what makes volunteering so rewarding,” he said.

Alex said he’s been given many fantastic opportunities throughout his time volunteering and met some incredible people... but there’s one thing that keeps him coming back.

“When you’re coaching or involved with a group of kids for a long time, watching them develop not only as players, but as people, is truly special and it’s one of the things that I enjoy most about volunteering,” Alex said.

Gabby is at the heart of the Fremantle Australian Waterpolo League teams operations, managing both the men’s and women’s teams, as well as coordinating travel for the club.

“Managing two teams certainly keeps me busy, but it is great to be a part of,” Gabby said.

“I enjoy the sportsmanship, competitive environment and the pride in our Club shown by players and coaching staff alike.”

A teacher by trade, Gabby admitted that juggling her varying volunteering duties is all about balance.

“I’m currently teaching Year 4, so between that and water polo I manage to keep pretty busy,” Gabby said.

“But it’s all about finding strategies to balance and staying organised, and having the support from my family - I couldn’t do it without them!”

Water Polo Australia and Fremantle Water Polo Club would like to say thank you to Alex, Gabby 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