Bronte Greenwood was just 12 when she first picked up a whistle and began umpiring for Southbridge Netball at Selwyn Netball Centre.
Now 18, Bronte helps around 59 aspiring umpires take their first steps with the whistle, coaching those officiating Year 5-6 games alongside a team of eight other coaches. What keeps her coming back is watching them grow more confident, find their own goals and develop a passion for the sport.
Her favourite moments are what she calls the "lightbulb moments," when something a young umpire has been working towards finally falls into place.
"It's that split second where everything clicks, after working on something for a couple of weeks and they finally understand what they saw and how they did it," she said. "Watching them come over with huge smiles, excited to tell you they finally got it and understand what you meant, outweighs every small or big challenge that comes with the season. It makes it all worthwhile."
Volunteering has shaped Greenwood as much as it has the umpires she coaches. Once shy and quiet, she credits coaching, umpiring and the netball community with helping her become more confident and comfortable building relationships.
"People who I never would have imagined having conversations with are now people I enjoy and look forward to talking to every week," she said. "The confidence I've gained has carried over into other parts of my life, and it's something I'm incredibly grateful for."
Greenwood added coaching to her volunteer roles two seasons after she started umpiring, when her club needed someone to help lead its Year 3-4 Woolworths futureFERNS team.
"Seeing their enjoyment at trainings and games, and watching their confidence and personalities grow from the start of the season to the end, was incredibly rewarding," she said.
While supporting others, Greenwood continues to develop her own skills under the guidance of an umpire coach of her own.
"I am continuing to be mentored by a coach of my own, observing and applying new skills and learnings to strengthen my own umpiring and coaching," she said. "As a team, we make it work by supporting one another and pitching in wherever needed."
Greenwood is candid that volunteering isn't always easy.
"You come across someone who may not click with you the way others do, but that's part of the challenge and the fun," she said. "It's about finding a way to build that understanding, learning how their brain works and using that to help them grow and achieve their potential. That brings me back."
Her advice to others considering volunteering is to give it a try, even if finding the right fit takes time.
"Not every volunteer role will be the right fit, and that is okay. Sometimes you have to try different things to find where you belong, but there is always a role out there that will suit your strengths and interests," she said.
"For me, volunteering through coaching and umpiring has helped me grow as a person, build confidence and become part of a community I love being involved in."
Bronte鈥檚 contribution was recently recognised when she was named a WM Volunteer of the Month winner, celebrating the time, energy and passion she brings to the Selwyn netball community.
If this story has you thinking about volunteering, get in touch with your local netball club. There are roles to suit all kinds of strengths and interests, and clubs are always glad to hear from people keen to get involved. Find out more