Some of you may know me from helping out Tina on Saturday mornings at the old Hylands, as well as a few Mondays and Thursday evenings at the Albany. Though still a member of Hylands, last year I received my A-Level results and headed up to Loughborough University to study human geography and economics.
On my return Giorgio asked if I had any spare time to write a small blog about the significance of volunteering, an aspect of Hylands that makes it one of the more unique sport clubs. Volunteering at Hylands comes in a huge range and there are many opportunities to do so. During my time I have helped out with flyer distribution, umpiring Waldon White Jones matches, taken control of the Under 18 team for a year and a half and much like the current tennis leaders I used to watch the courts on a Saturday and Sunday.
Firstly, through volunteering I have made some great friends, and despite myself being based in Loughborough, I have stayed in contact with those who are both still in the Hylands area or those that themselves have gone on to other pursue other opportunities, having known many of them for eight or nine years after doing the tennis leader scheme together.
Secondly, having recently applied for a summer job, it was a great advantage to have a reference from Giorgio, and I was able to talk about the skills I gained whilst volunteering during my interview, such as communication and organisation. I understand that the current tennis leaders have been given the opportunity to create and run their own events, with the most recent being the parent and child event run by the new tennis leaders.
Lastly, volunteering provides opportunities. Since leaving for university, I have been actively engaged in the Student Union volunteering section, and was voted the best volunteer by my fellow students (see photo). Volunteering here has ranged from helping the elderly to use the internet to the more obscure ‘using a pickaxe to break up asphalt to fill potholes in a road’ project, which was a personal favourite (see photo).
Though this may not be linked to Hylands, it’s my way of trying to encourage those of you who enjoy being a tennis leader and those of you who volunteer (not forgetting those that bring cake!) to continue. Whilst I was back I was able to attend a few weekend sessions and I have played a volleyball match, got involved in a futsal tournament and was asked to participate in a football match, which is a far cry from the days at Hylands Park, and I feel it shows that the club is reaping the rewards from investing in the youth of the club.