MACCLESFIELD HARRIERS
HELPING a neighbour or enabling others to realise their dreams is often as rewarding an experience for the helper as for the recipient.
Macclesfield Harriers and Athletics Club, like many sports clubs, relies 100 per cent on volunteer helpers.
While enjoying their role, the volunteers also benefit others through coaching, organising events and managing team entries and transport.
Through the Game Changers Youth Volunteering Programme funded by England Athletics, MHAC have recently provided opportunities for young volunteers to qualify as track and field officials and athletics coaches.
Four youngsters have gained a Level One track and field qualification under this initiative.
Game Changer David Roberts, aged 15, now a qualified judge in track events, told us: “I enjoy helping other people through volunteering and in addition have learned a lot of new skills by taking part in the Game Changer programme.”
Matthew Browne, 17, and Hannah Gaskell, 18, qualified as field judges (throwing and jumping events), and Robbie Peal, 18, as a timekeeper.
The youngsters’ participation in the scheme has also encouraged older club members to come forward to qualify as officials.
With seven newly- qualified officials, Macclesfield Harriers has been able to host track and field league events at its home track and also to provide additional support to other clubs.
Macclesfield Harriers also regularly assist as judges and timekeepers at school and community athletics and multi-sports events.
Rob Finnis, 17, and Peter Goodfellow, 16, have taken their first step on the coaching ladder to qualify as coaching assistants.
The MHAC coaching team not only caters for club members on training nights, but also runs regular coaching clinics open to people of all ages and abilities within the Macclesfield community and organises the popular Startrack week-long introduction to athletics for nine to 15-year-olds (July 23 to 27).
Club chairman Keith Mullholland said: “We rely completely on volunteers for our activities and are very fortunate to have many capable and helpful coaches and officials. However, it is important to ensure we continue to support our volunteers by bringing in new volunteers to share the workload.”
So if you want to make a difference to a local club offering a range of sporting opportunities to people of all ages and standards, please get in contact with MHAC – we have volunteering opportunities available from one hour per year to several hours per week in a variety of areas.
Contact Barbara Murray at MADFathletics@ outlook.com.