Across courts, canteens, committee rooms and clubhouses throughout New South Wales, volunteers continue to be the heartbeat of the netball community.
During National Volunteer Week, Netball NSW is recognising the significant contribution volunteers make across the state, with coaches, umpires, scorers, coordinators and committee members dedicating countless hours each week to creating opportunities for people to participate, connect and thrive through netball.
For Netball NSW Chair, Sofia Novak, volunteering has become far more than simply helping out at her local club. It has shaped her personal growth, strengthened her leadership skills and allowed her to give back to a sport that has played such a significant role in her life.
Beginning her journey as a young umpire at just 11 years old, Sofia has since stepped into coaching, committee leadership and now serves as Chair of the Netball NSW Youth Advisory Group. Along the way, she has seen firsthand the impact volunteering can have, particularly for young people looking to build confidence and connection within their communities.
“Netball has honestly just shaped who I am,” Sofia said. “I love being able to give back to something that’s done so much for me.”
At club level, Sofia has worked to encourage greater youth involvement, particularly through coaching pathways. After helping introduce more opportunities for younger coaches within her club, she has seen a growing number of teenagers stepping into leadership roles and contributing back to the game.
The rise of young volunteers is helping clubs create fresh ideas, new perspectives and stronger connections with the next generation of participants. Sofia believes ensuring young people have a voice within volunteering spaces is critical to the future of community sport.
“We’re the generations coming through and we have different perspectives,” she said. “It’s really important that we can speak and volunteer so that more young people can get involved.”
Beyond supporting the game itself, volunteering continues to provide valuable life skills for people of all ages. Through her experiences across both club and state-level volunteering, Sofia says she has developed stronger communication skills, leadership abilities and greater confidence.
For anyone considering getting involved, her message is simple.
“Find a volunteering role that works for you and you’ll enjoy it so much,” Sofia said. “Particularly within netball, you’re doing it within something you love.”
Whether it’s a few hours on the weekend or a long-term leadership role, volunteers remain central to the success of netball communities across the state, helping ensure the sport continues to grow both on and off the court.
