Sport doesn’t happen without volunteers – and these inspiring individuals prove how powerful giving back can be very week, thousands of people give their time, energy and passion to help others play, grow and thrive. But volunteering isn’t just about giving – it’s about gaining skills, friendships, confidence and purpose. Whether it’s coaching at grassroots level, supporting young people with learning disabilities or using sport as a tool for social good, the volunteers on these pages show the true impact of getting involved and their stories are as diverse as the communities they serve
Chris Hamer-Hodges
Chris is a volunteer England Athletics coach with the Nuneaton Harriers. “The club supported me by funding my coaching course and providing a mentor. The biggest reward is seeing athletes succeed – and hearing their thanks, especially when they say they couldn’t have done it without me.” As team manager for runners at the club, the course and mentorship was an invaluable experience for Chris and helped him sharpen his insights, observations and provide advice and drills that have pushed the club forwards.
Ash Kasibante
Ash, 23, is a Software Engineering student at Glasgow University and a dedicated volunteer at Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland’s (CHSS) Partick store. Since 2021, he’s balanced studies with retail shifts, supporting customers and stock. “Volunteering is really important to me and has given me a lot. I’m really committed to CHSS and hope to work with the charity for a long time to come.” Volunteering has brought Ash new friendships, unexpected music tastes and a passionate commitment to CHSS’s mission.
Ben Greatbatch
Ben fell in love with basketball aged nine and played at National League level. After surviving a life-threatening seizure, he turned to coaching, using the sport to inspire others. Still playing, Ben now dedicates most evenings volunteering as a coach and running his own disability sports programme basketball sessions to help develop and connect fellow athletes across Nottinghamshire.
Hannah Soodeen
“The Inclusive Coaches programme has helped me a lot in building confidence and by having direct training on how to support people with additional needs more effectively,” says Hannah, LYG Inclusive Coaches participant. The programme has helped Hannah in building confidence with direct training on how to support people with additional needs effectively.
Trevor Chenery and Tony Hesketh
Trevor and Tony are volunteer groundskeepers at Halesworth Town Juniors FC in Suffolk and Acton Ealing Whistlers AFC in West London and received the experience of a lifetime by helping prepare the world-famous Wembley pitch ahead of the Lionesses’ game against the Netherlands back in 2023. They also got tips and advice from Wembley Stadium’s Grounds Manager, Karl Standley. Both their clubs receive funding from the Football Foundation. The grassroots game couldn’t function without volunteer groundskeepers like Trevor and Tony giving up their time week in week out for local clubs.
Zain Boyko
Zain has dedicated more than 200 hours to StreetGames in 2024, showing exceptional leadership and commitment. As a youth worker and advisor, he champions youth voice, supports peers and helps shape future initiatives with insight, humility, and passion. As a result of this, Zain was awarded the Street Games Sport for Development Awards: England Young Volunteer of the Year, 2024.
Annie Zaidi
“I started thinking ‘Well I love football. I love coaching so I can bring my coaching technique and skills and give back into the community’. So get these girls trained up and coached up and ready to play at grassroot level.” This inspiration helped her start the Annie Z Foundation in 2016 to create safe, inclusive football spaces for British South Asian women and girls. A trailblazer and UEFA B licenced coach, Annie champions grassroots football development, challenges typical stereotypes and drives cultural change – empowering a new generation to play, lead and hopefully go on and thrive through the beautiful game.
Manjit Birk
A mum of three and proud Sikh, Manjit spent four years as Slough’s GoodGym Area Activator saying it was her dream job and remains active on the TaskForce. “I’m a Sikh and one of our ways of life is around ‘selfless service’ (sewa). If I achieve nothing else in life, I know I’ve done my sewa and helped others. The role itself involves getting to know your community. Networking and creating solid foundations within your town and then finding ways that our group can help,” she says. Building a happier, healthier and connected community is the way forward and Manjit knows giving back is the way to do it.
