‘Never complain. Never volunteer.’ This is the adage of one of my friends who is happy to keep his head down and lead his perfectly contented life in the shadows.
I cannot help thinking that his life could be so much more interesting and fulfilling if he was prepared to push himself forward and do some volunteering.
It does not matter whether that volunteering involves visiting the elderly, lifting litter from the streets, or helping to park cars at the town’s local carnival. In their own way, each of those acts helps to increase the quality of life for other members of the Community.
I have been fortunate to have spent the past few years in various voluntary roles in the grassroots football community.
For obvious reasons, there are various requirements for Coaches to be Police checked, and to attend safeguarding and mentoring courses etc.
On one of the courses we were asked why we volunteer to be football Coaches, a commitment that easily takes up five hours a week. A number of people mentioned putting something back into the community or doing it because our own child wanted to play and no-one else was willing to step forward. As the discussion continued, it was clear the true consensus was that we do it because we like it, and it makes our lives better.
What is there not to enjoy? Away from our everyday routines, sport constantly throws up the unexpected.
Think for example of the Johnny Bairstow controversy just this past weekend, when he strolled away from the crease at the end of an over, to be stumped. Within the rules of the game? Yes. Within the spirit of the game? No.
Such scenarios around the difference between the laws of the game and the spirit of the game regularly present themselves in the unpredictable world of grassroots football. Be it a manager complaining about how well-inflated a ball was when it crossed the line, or one furiously pacing out the dimensions of a pitch, concluding that it was two yards too narrow and writing to the Football Association demanding the replay of an Under 8 match, which his team had lost 5-0; all of human life is there.
The comedic element of absurd events taking place is obviously extremely welcome, but the real point is how important it is to be involved in something bigger than oneself, to positively influence young people, and to generally promote a sense of community and connection with others.
A grassroots football club providing football for all age groups is likely to need approximately 80 volunteers. That is quite a lot of connection.
Needless to say, volunteers are unlikely to be regularly thanked for their efforts. There is probably little awareness of the fact that the Club Secretary of a grassroots football club is likely to receive approximately 2,500 relevant emails and send out approximately 950 emails per season.
This is pure background work to ensure that everyone playing a match has the necessary credentials, and that games can take place in safe and competitive environment. I have no doubt that there are similar hard-working unsung heroes in every voluntary organisation.
So, why volunteer? I would say that the opportunity to meet new people, face unusual challenges and hopefully improve opportunities for members of the local community are all good reasons to get involved.
As is the requirement to have remarkably frequent meetings in a local hostelry or coffee shop to discuss crucial issues such as where to source frozen onions and toilet rolls for the annual tournament.
Also, more time spent volunteering and making things better means far less time is available for complaining.
