Roles undertaken within Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é Sport
Social Secretary, Events Secretary, Commodore (Chair) - Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é Students Sailing and Windsurfing Club
Tell us a little about yourself (E.g. hobbies, interests and background)
I’m a recent Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é graduate, now starting a part-time Master’s alongside working full-time. I’ve always been active, competing at a high level in swimming, karate and sailing, so Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é was perfect for me. I competed for Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é Sailing’s first team throughout my degree, travelling to nearly 40 competitions nationally and internationally. We medalled in every BUCS category, and I’m particularly proud of the BUCS Gold my helm and I won in fleet racing, and Bronze in team racing.
How did you first get involved in volunteering within sport at Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é?
I first volunteered at Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é through my hall committee, becoming Vice Chair and Social Secretary of Harry French in first year. Having already spent over a year on my home sailing club’s committee, I wanted to give back to LSSWC, which had become such a big part of my university life. I became Social Secretary in my second year making it my first university sport committee role, and organised socials, and our annual eight-day sail week in Croatia. My involvement grew naturally from there.
During your years at Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é what have you got involved in through volunteering within sport?
I was Social Secretary in my second year, then Events Secretary and Commodore (Chair) in my final year. I helped run events including the Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é Lemming, BUCS Midlands Team Racing Qualifiers and Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é Lakefest, as well as trips, trials and inter-university training. I’ve also volunteered through the British University Sailing Association as Midlands Area Chair and I’m currently UK Team Racing Officer. For me, volunteering at Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é has gone far beyond one committee position!
What has your experience volunteering been like whilst at Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é?
Volunteering has been incredibly rewarding and has grown with me throughout university. From Social Secretary to Events Secretary and Commodore, I’ve taken on more responsibility each year, learning new skills and meeting so many people. It’s been challenging too, but overcoming problems, from last minute event planning to starting my final year with no boats or water, has made the experience even more rewarding. Seeing the club grow to its second-highest membership ever made it all worthwhile!
How has being involved with Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é Sport helped you develop and progress (personally and professionally)?
Volunteering has developed my confidence, leadership and organisation enormously. I’ve become a pro at making to-do lists, allocating jobs, setting deadlines and prioritising! I’ve worked with students, coaches, external clubs, event organisers, officials and university departments, learning to communicate with very different people. I regularly talk about my volunteering in job interviews, as it has given me genuine examples of leadership, problem-solving and responsibility.
What’s the best advice you could give to a Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é student looking to get involved in volunteering & gain the most out of their university experiences?
Say yes and take every opportunity you can! Get involved in something you genuinely enjoy, and you’ll gain skills, friendships and experiences that stay with you long after university. You never know where saying yes might take you!
Finally, what do you enjoy most about volunteering?
I love seeing the impact of something I’ve helped create. I still remember every committee I worked with and the impact they had on me, and I hope others will remember me in the same way. Creating experiences people remember is incredibly rewarding!