An exceptional volunteer, wise beyond her years – Mrinali Padiyar – a Year 12 student at Epsom Girls Grammar is described as having a character marked by kindness, encouragement, and sincerity.
The young coach and umpire, who has completed her Community Coaching Award Level Two and Centre Umpire Badge, embodies the spirit of volunteerism and is loved by her peers and the wider community.
As well as umpiring for three years, Mrinali, has coached teams during inter-college tournaments, winning their grade in 2022 and coming second in 2023. She also helps prepare match schedules, logistics and other sports-related activities for the Epsom Girls Grammar teams.
“In my culture, there is a sanskrit maxim ‘Seva Paramo Dharmaha’ and this means service is the highest form of duty,” says Mrinali.
“I was inspired by my mother, who was a community volunteer throughout her life, I embraced volunteering early on. Netball is my passion, and volunteering allows me to give back to the community and school that have provided me with numerous opportunities. The joy of helping others and contributing to their growth and success is immensely fulfilling,” she says.
Mrinali contributes beyond the 8-9 hours per week she gives to netball. She’s an Activity Team Leader at One Tree Hill Scouts Group, helps with community activities for Hindu Swayam Sevak Sangh and fundraises annually for the Breast Cancer Foundation.
“The best part of volunteering is the self-satisfaction it brings. One of my most touching moments was in 2022 when the team I coached won first place. The team's celebration, the gratitude from parents, and the players requesting me to coach them again next year were incredibly rewarding.”
“Seeing the players grow, both in skill and confidence, makes me proud. I've witnessed first hand the positive changes in them, and it feels great to know I've contributed to their development. Passing down the skills I've learned and watching the teams thrive are moments I cherish deeply,” reflects Mrinali.
She says she adheres to the coaching philosophy of ‘storming, norming and performing’ and believes this has helped guide her teams through challenges to achieve success.
“I believe that losing or winning is part of life. I always encourage my team, even in defeat, reminding them that failures are learning opportunities. Embracing lessons from losses helps improve performance in future matches.”
The praise flows from those around her. In her nomination for Netball New Zealand’s Volunteer of the Month it notes she has ‘exceptional dedication, a tireless work effort, and an unwavering commitment to the community.’
It goes on to say that ‘Mrinali has maintained her coaching responsibilities non-stop for three consecutive years, balancing her volunteer work with her own schooling and extra-curricular activities as a Year 12 student, Mrinali exemplifies extraordinary time management and dedication.’
While Auckland Netball’s Games Liaison Anne Nicholson says “our greater community has relished Mrinali’s contribution directly as a junior co-ordinator on junior game and Festival Days, junior development skills coaching sessions and as a school holiday programme junior coach. She goes above and beyond and brings fun and excitement to the young players and joins in alongside them as they develop their skills.”
Mrinali says her passion for sports, particularly netball, inspired her to volunteer.
“Observing a shortage of good college coaches motivated me to step in, allowing me to share my knowledge and passion. Volunteering enables me to contribute positively to my community and school and allows me to provide the same opportunities I have benefited from.”
If you would like to volunteer and be connected to your local Netball Centre, please visit this page.