National Volunteers Week 2022 - Day 5

On day 5 of Volunteers week we asked our Artistic Swimming Manager, Mary Hooper, a few questions about her experiences volunteering. 

1. How did you become a volunteer in aquatics?

I used to sit in the balcony and watched my children all train with City of Exeter Swimming Club. In 1981 was asked to help on poolside and joined the club. 

As my 2 daughters decided to have a go at Synchro I helped the synchro teacher and then one night she did not turn up for training and the rest is history. 

 2. What have been your volunteering highlights?

• 1985 Founder member of Exeter synchro Club in taking various coaching., judging and    educational qualifications 
• 1998-2007 Member of both the ASA and GB Synchronised Swimming Committees
• 1999-2006 GB team manager for squads inc Olympics and Commonwealth Games travelling around the world with the squads “free of charge” Making lots of new friends from all the other countries. 
• 2003 Presented with the Mary Black Award 

3. What advice would you give to potential volunteers?

If you love your sport, it is more rewarding to help on poolside than sit in the balcony criticising the coaches.   You can learn from others; we all have to start at the beginning. Don’t be afraid to ask if you want help.  By becoming a volunteer, you will help your local club to keep running.