Most people wouldn't spend nine hours a week behind the wheel for a volunteer role.
For Gail Butterworth, the 185 km trip between her farm near Katanning and the Albany netball courts is simply part of helping regional athletes achieve their potential.
Gail has been coaching for more than two decades, after her four daughters all fell in love with netball at Katanning Netball Association. She spent 12 years with the association as a coach, committee member and association development officer, and was later recognised with life membership.
“I love seeing young players come through development and end up playing in the under 20s or competitions like that,” she said.
“When you're coaching kids or younger players, just seeing them finally get a skill or achieve success is amazing.”
As her daughters grew up, they moved to Albany for school and Perth for university.
That marked the start of Gail volunteering even more of her time, giving up her Saturdays for matchplay and weeknights for training to travel to Albany Netball Association, a commitment she says is always worth it.
“I love when they get something and they all look at you from the court and they're like, this is working and they're all excited,” she said.
“For the older women, I just think it's so important for their mental health.
“Some of these women tell me that this is the only hour of a day or a week that they get to not think about all their family stuff, all their work stuff, they can just get out there and just play netball and have a good time.”
Gail said she’s never liked only coaching one team, instead choosing to take on multiple groups to help develop all different levels of athletes, volunteering even more of her time.
“I’ve had both the top of the A grade and the little kids who are still trying to figure out where their arms and legs are,” she said.
Gail credits her husband and daughters for their support, with all four girls following in her footsteps to earn their coaching accreditation.
The WA Local Sporting Stars Volunteer Recognition Program celebrates the vital role volunteers play in keeping community sport thriving across the State.
Gail wasn’t aware she had been nominated for the award, never expecting to be recognised for her volunteering.
“I sent it to the family group chat, and they thought it was a scam at first,” she said.
“You don't coach to get rewards, awards or recognition.
“I think you just do it to help people get better and you love it. So, it's always lovely to be recognised.”
