30 September 2022
Australian Sports Commission (ASC) staff have had a first-hand experience of the benefits of volunteering this week with two major international sporting events being held across New South Wales.
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Amanda Jones, left, and another volunteer courtside while the Australian women's basketball team the Opals train during the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Sydney.
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Bec Allen of the Opals speaks to media at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Sydney.
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Amanda Jones, right, with volunteers at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup.
Amanda Jones, Assistant Director in the Media and Communications team has met new people and had an intensive week of career development as part of the news and content support team at the FIBA women’s basketball world cup in Sydney.
A passionate basketball fan, Jones was one of hundreds of volunteers that have made the Sydney event a big success.
Her role has been to write match reports, interview the stars of the tournament and transcribe press conferences for media outlets around the globe that are covering the World Cup.
“I’m really glad I put myself forward to volunteer at this event,” Jones said.
"I’ve met new people, developed new skills and have felt a real sense of camaraderie with other like-minded sports fans who are also loving being involved.”
Earlier in the week, ASC Director of Sport Programs and Chair of the Sport Volunteer Coalition, Dr Lindsey Reece made her way to Wollongong to witness the incredible UCI Road World Cycling Championships.
The event saw the beautiful south coast of New South Wales beamed around the world to millions of people across an action-packed week.
>“An event like that would be a huge logistical challenge to put together and it just wouldn’t be possible without the passionate volunteers that were on every corner to assist,” Dr Reece said.
“The volunteers were able to be a part of their local community and meet people with similar interests and backgrounds, while also cheering on their heroes.
“Their smiles and assistance really lit up the day and made the event a truly memorable one for athletes, officials and spectators.
“As we continue on the Green and Gold decade, I encourage everyone who can to think about how they can get involved as a volunteer as it truly is at the heart of sport at all levels in Australia.”
The ASC forecasts an extra 130,000 volunteers will be needed between now and Brisbane 2032 to ensure all the major events taking place in Australia are a success.
Earlier this month, Minister for Sport Anika Wells and ASC CEO Kieren Perkins OAM launched the Sport Volunteer Coalition Action Plan which outlines how volunteering in sport is to be reimagined over the next four years.
- Read about the Sport Volunteer Action Plan and volunteering in sport.