Volunteer of the Year 2005 - Mark Thom
Mark was first involved in volunteering in 2003 at Mansfield Harriers Athletics Club where his daughter is a member. His volunteering involves running the tea bar at the clubhouse on training nights on a Tuesday and Thursday for two hours and for weekend home fixtures. The income generated from Mark's voluntary work allows the club to reduce member’s subscription costs and subsidise transport costs.
In addition to his work in the tea bar, Mark also carries out repairs and maintenance work on the club house. This has been particularly valuable following damage caused by vandals.
Mansfield Harriers are now funding Mark through his athletics official’s qualification to further develop his volunteering skills and help sustain the club in the future.
Mark states “I’d recommend it to anyone, it’s therapeutic and it’s rewarding seeing the kids perform and win”.
Mark is one of the 70,000 volunteers already registered to volunteer in the Olympics in 2012. If you would like to join these 70,000 volunteers, please click the link below to register:
London 2012 Volunteering website
Junior Sports Leader of the Year 2005 - Nicola Jenner
Nicola first became involved in volunteering through Ashfield Aztecs Hockey Club which she joined years earlier following her experience at the Nottingham East Midlands Airport Nottinghamshire Youth Games. Nicola’s coach requested her help at a coaching session as the usual coach was unable to make it.
Since then, Nicola has helped out on a weekly basis and her voluntary work has grown from there. Last year, Nicola was an administrator for both the Ashfield and Hucknall Junior Schools Hockey Festivals. She is committed to coaching and umpiring on a weekly basis at Ashfield Junior Hockey Club, Hucknall Junior Hockey Club and The Dukeries Junior Hockey Club - equating to approximately 4-5 hours a week. Through her voluntary work she has inspired many young people.
Nicola has recently taken her Hockey Foundation course including modules in Principles of Leadership, Foundation Umpire, Foundation Coach and Foundation Manager and went on to use her officials qualification when umpiring at the Youth Games. On turning 16 Nicola hopes to take her Level 1 coaching qualification to move on to the next level of her experience.
Nicola enjoys watching the players develop and seeing the difference that her volunteering makes to the children. She states “If you love sport and are into doing something then you should try volunteering and pass on the things you have learned and the knowledge you have to see them evolve into good players”
For more information on volunteering in Nottinghamshire please contact
Hayley Peel
Tel: 0115 977 2267
e-mail: hayley.peel@nottscc.gov.uk