As Netball New Zealand marks Student Volunteer Week, we talk to Waiuku Netball Centre volunteer Tyler Campbell and the joy she gets from helping netballers of all ages in the Northern Zone.
The netball awards are beginning to stack up, the accolades from those in the sport are plenty, but for teenager Tyler Campbell her thrill as a volunteer comes from seeing young netballers grow into the game.
Campbell, 18, is one of many recognised during Netball New Zealand’s Student Volunteer Week for the time they have given back to netball.
The Waiuku Netball Centre member, who was encouraged to become a netball volunteer by her family, gets her enjoyment from watching those she has coached grapple with the game and achieve.
“I love getting to watch and help the kids grow and develop from the start of the season to the end,” she said. “The looks on their faces when they finally understand how to do something that they have been struggling with is something I love to see.”
Since becoming an Awhitu Netball Club delegate almost three years ago, Campbell has taken on roles including coaching (Waiuku College), umpiring and now a heavy involvement as futureFerns co-ordinator at the Waiuku Netball Centre.
She now organises programmes for players from Year 1 to Year 6, supports and co-ordinates star helpers, coaches, and managers as well as reporting to monthly management committee meetings.
It is something that Campbell enjoys but she understands not everyone is able to give that same time.
“I see that the biggest barrier to netball volunteering is that people do not have time. For me though, it is the enjoyment that it brings me that keeps me coming back,” she said.
“I get to meet and get to know new people every day – in a sport that means so much to me.”
But it was an ominous start to a sport she now loves her early memories with the Year 3 Awhitu Angels.
“I remember it was one of my first games every playing and I was not watching where I was running. I tripped over my twin sister’s foot and broke my glasses,” she said.
Campbell has been recognised for her many hours she has given back to netball, including the 2021 Netball New Zealand (NNZ) Youth Volunteer of the Year Award, Waiuku Netball Centre Ian Smith Endeavour Cup, and the Centre’s Umpire Commitment Award. She has also received a New Zealand Zone Umpiring badge, Volunteer of the Month awards, Service to Netball award and the Waiuku Rotary Club Waiuku College Service Award.
“These awards mean so much to me because it shows me that people appreciate all the work that I do,” she said.
2021 Netball Awards:
NNZ Youth Volunteer of the Year Award
NZ Zone Umpiring Badge
Waiuku Netball Centre – Overall Umpire Commitment Award
Waiuku Netball Centre – Ian Smith Endeavour Cup
Waiuku Netball Centre – May Cadbury Volunteer of the Month Award
Waiuku College 2021 Awards:
Service to Netball Award
Mike Pero Service to Sport Award
Waiuku Rotary Club Waiuku College Service Award
Volunteering is a rewarding and great way to give back. We are always looking out for people who would like to connect and give back to their local Netball Centre. To volunteer and be connected with your local Centre, fill out your details here.