National Volunteer Week (NVW) is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteers. From Monday 17th to Sunday 23rd May 2021, NVW celebrates the significant contribution of Australia’s almost six million volunteers.

The theme for NVW 2021 is Recognise. Reconnect. Reimagine. which acknowledges that it is time to: 

• RECOGNISE, celebrate, and thank volunteers for the vital role they play in our lives. 
• RECONNECT to what is important by giving our time to help others and ourselves.
• REIMAGINE how we better support volunteers and communities they help.

In recognising National Volunteer Week, Softball NSW would like to thank all Volunteers throughout the levels of our sport. Quite simply, without the ongoing support of volunteers, organisations, and sports such as ours do not exist.

From our Association and Club Committees to our Coaches, Managers, Scorers, Umpires and general helpers, each volunteer is essential to the successful management and delivery of our sport in all communities across the state. For that, the Softball NSW Board and Staff would like to thank each and every person who has volunteered their time to the game in any way.

In following the theme of NVW 2021, we would like to recognise just one of the many volunteers who help make our game what it is.

Daniel Russo from Georges River Association is the Chairperson of GRSA, President of his local club St Christopher’s, coaches several teams at a club level, coaches U10, U12 and U14 at association level (including the 2021 U10 boy’s runner ups) and plays Masters for St. Christopher’s and United. He is also currently running an Academy for U12 and U14 players

Daniel can regularly be seen at the GRSA grounds most nights, either with his own children who play, coaching or assisting with ground maintenance.

Daniel has been a big instigator of changes at Georges River, particularly over the 2020 COVID period. His determination to address the decline in participation in the U16 age group led to the creation of a new pilot program in the Southern Sydney Softball League (SSSL), which has helped to build additional participation pathways. This program saw the return of music, BBQ’s, and competition back at GRSA grounds on a Friday night.

Daniel’s commitment to the sport does not go unnoticed, with GRSA Secretary Helen Baker saying, “Daniel’s passion for the game is unimaginable”.

To get involved and volunteer with your local association or club, just like Daniel, follow this link for a list of contact names and numbers for each association. For volunteer opportunities within in SNSW, follow our Facebook Page to stay up to date with any available opportunities, or contact us.