It’s been almost a decade since Megan Gum first volunteered at an Adelaide Thunderbirds match, starting her journey during the club’s 2013 premiership season.
Over the years, the passionate netball lover has watched the Thunderbirds’ guild of volunteers continue to grow, driven by their love for the game and their local side.
In October of 2021, Sport Australia reported that netball ranked first for most volunteers in any women’s sport with 257,000 volunteers across the country.
The significant figure is proof that volunteers continue to be the lifeblood of the sport, keeping the game strong from grassroots to the elite across Australia.
With the 2022 SSN season set to mark her 10 years of dedicated service, Gum reflected on her time with the club.
“I was inspired to be involved as I have always had a passion for sport, especially netball and I wanted to be involved in any way possible,” Gum said.
“I was really interested in learning what it took to run an elite level Thunderbirds match and everything that is involved before and after the game and behind the scenes.”
Recalling the joy and sense of accomplishment she’s felt during her time with the Thunderbirds, Gum called on interested parties to consider joining the Pink Army’s volunteers.
“There is a lot to love about being involved with the Thunderbirds. I love everything I have been able to learn and the new skills I have developed,” Gum said.
“Most of all I love all the people I have met, from the Thunderbirds players and coaching staff, to the Netball SA staff I get to work with and the other volunteers.
“It takes a real team effort to put on a Thunderbirds game and I enjoying getting to work with a broad range of people.”
For her top two highlights, Gum could not go past the 2013 premiership win in her inaugural year and the club’s trip to Darwin in 2019 – the first time an SSN match had been played in the Northern Territory capital.
“2013 was an incredible season to be involved with and being able to volunteer at a home grand final was amazing. The atmosphere was unbelievable,” Gum said.
“To be able to successfully hold a game in Darwin was an amazing achievement and I thoroughly enjoyed being part of the team.
“It was very rewarding to see how much love and support the local community had for netball and how excited they were to be able to attend a live match.”
Netball SA CEO Bronwyn Klei said Gum was one of many volunteers across South Australia that represented the true heartbeat of netball.
“We’re proud and extremely grateful to have so many passionate volunteers, like Megan Gum, in our game, they are netball's superpower, ” Klei said.
“From grassroots level right through to the elite, volunteers are at the forefront of running competitions, clubs, associations, events and more.
“We have several dedicated volunteers who are integral to our ability to deliver Adelaide Thunderbirds home games and we all know how much time and love volunteers put into their local clubs.
“Without them, we know our game would simply not thrive the way it does and we’re so thankful to have them.”
