"You will learn a lot from coaching manuals and there is plenty of resource material available from a number of sources." He also finds the best part of being a volunteer is getting a first-hand view, not to mention a say in how things are run at grassroots level.
Richard has been involved in football and cricket, since his junior days.
Jo Cole Jo Cole has been volunteering at Bream Bay College for the past 10 years. During that time she has been involved with netball and has assisted with the school's annual swimming and athletics championships.
Jo grew up with an interest in equestrian and she competed at Pony Club events. Her general passion for all sport saw her also play both tennis and netball. Currently she excels at darts and is the Bream Bay Club pool champion.
These days, it is netball that takes up most of her time. She is currently associated with the Fideliter Club as manager of the number two team.
This is due to the involvement of her daughter - the same one that initiated her association at collegiate level when she was a year eight player.
Jo relishes the chance to be a team manager and those who work with her, list her main strength as being incredibly organised. She is always prepared to go the extra mile and no doubt because of this is well respected by members of her teams. Jo, herself, loves it when she sees her players make a regional representative team and feels like she may have contributed in some small way.
"I enjoy working with the kids," she said. "I think the kids we've had over the years have really appreciated it."
There is no denying that, particularly if you speak to Bream Bay College sport coordinator, Megan Carran, that the long-standing relationship they have, will ensure yet another college netball 1 team can attend the annual UNISS tournament for the ninth consecutive year.
Jo Cole is the kind of sport maker every Secondary School in Northland wishes they had.
Ewan Cornor Ewan joined the committee of the Dargaville Tennis Club in 2009 and has had varying volunteering roles since then including secretary, club captain and helping to maintain the facilities. This has included organising and running the twilight competition which has consisted of 16 teams of four.
Ewan finds one of the main challenges is organising and motivating players in order to have full teams, as well as organising the round robin events through to semis and finals. However he is lucky to have a supportive wife who is a passive supporter of the work he does. Ewan finds it very rewarding to see the participants enjoying themselves while improving their skills at the same time.
However he finds that enthusiasm, enjoyment, and appreciation from participants is the biggest reward he receives as a volunteer.
He encourages others to put their hand up, as help is always needed and appreciated at various levels.
Ewan played rugby and cricket from his school days until his early 40s before taking up cycling and golf.
"Tennis was never a sport of mine until I joined the Dargaville Tennis Club", he said.
Thanking a sport volunteer is easy. Sport Northland is encouraging people to say thank you to a Sport Maker by sending them a message to show your appreciation. This will allow them they to enter the draw to win quality sporting goods including bibs, cones, balls and clothing. Details at www.sportnorthland.co.nz
