Meet the Volunteer - Scott Woodford

Scott Woodford is a volunteer at Waiheke United AFC. Waiheke is a club that lives and breathes football, and since beginning as a coach at the start of the preseason, Scott has fallen in love with the culture and the passion around the club!

Read his story below ⬇️

🔵 What got you into being a volunteer at Waiheke United?

“The reason why I decided to volunteer at Waiheke United AFC can be foreseen through two avenues. Firstly, I watched as a spectator at some of the home games on Waiheke Island, and was inspired by not just the unique culture but the caliber of athletes I identified at those events. Secondly, I am the Founder of Waiheke Island Beach Football, and since introducing my passion for the sport on the beaches of Waiheke Island I was approached by current athletes of Waiheke United AFC to take up a role as a coach.”

🔵 How long have you been working at the club as a volunteer?

“I have worked at Waiheke United AFC since the beginning of the 2020 preseason. However, some may say that that’s not a lot of time. But when you have a squad of athletes that live and breathe the game..you are expected to nurture that passion. And that passion can lead you to training a minimum of 3 sessions per week to a maximum of 5..give or take. Scary as it seems but these athletes on the island sure can teach a lot of teams about the love for the beautiful game.”

🔵 What's your favourite part about working as a volunteer with Waiheke United?

“I really don’t know how to answer this question because you actually have to be in the environment to see it for yourself. Moreover, I’ve played football in several continents and been involved in football in New Zealand for 15 years in which I must say..I have not experienced anything like it, yet. So, my favourite part at this moment is embracing this experience/chapter in my football career.”

🔵 Tell us about how your club engages with the community.

“My time studying at AUT University of Technology doing a Conjoint Degree majoring in International Business and Sport Management has allowed me to see how the club interacts with the community through an intellectual lens. More so, since the club is heavily influenced by the Latin American Community and culture residing on the island you are guaranteed to be met with very passionate people whom express themselves in many ways. For example, every week after training on a Thursday night we have a group of Argentines that come in and cook for the entire squad. Absolutely amazing meals! And before dinner is served, players begin to chant in native tongue towards the cooks to grace them in thanks. Moreover, come the weekend. We have a following of supporters that can be heard singing and chanting before docking in CBD ferry terminal causing onlookers to stop and embrace the spirit of the beautiful game outside of football. But that doesn’t stop there. It continues to the games, during the game, and from the game, which I haven’t experienced until this season.”

🔵 What has working as a volunteer for Waiheke United taught you?

“Volunteering for Waiheke United AFC has been an insightful journey. From the language barrier, culture shock, to training three [3] to five [5] times a week and more. Has shown me that if you surround yourself with people that have the same drive, will, passion and attitude to succeed that anything is possible. And this we have shown on the pitch. Our game that other clubs have witnessed did not happen overnight. It started a long time ago, ask the players how that journey went. And they’ll tell you it started with not just training twice a week but actually living it. However, at the end of the day my ultimate goal as a volunteer to the beautiful game is not only to assist in developing players but to help players become better citizens because at the end of the day, I’m just another stepping stone in their journey, as they are for me.”

Great stuff Scott!

Article added: Thursday 10 September 2020