National Volunteer Week with USC Lion's Bek Footner

25 May 2024

The 2024 National Volunteer Week theme is 'Something for Everyone', recognising the diverse passions and talents everyone brings to the act of volunteering!

Volleyball South Australia have enjoyed this incredible week celebrating all the volunteers that ensure volleyball in South Australia is as great as it can be.

We caught up with USC Lion's Bek Footner to find out more about her volunteer roles, and why she loves what she does!

Bek started her volleyball journey in primary school in 1993, quickly falling in love with the sport. She joined the USC Lion Volleyball Club the following year and hasn't looked back since!

It didn't take long for Bek to become the heart of the USC Lion Volleyball Club, volunteering in as many ways as possible,

"see a job, offer to do it is my motto" Bek shared.

Bek's weekly routine could consist of just about anything, from her work as a secretary, sorting through emails, posting on social media, or sorting teams and equipment, to coaching, conflict resolution and running the canteen making her famous cheese toasties.

When asked about what keeps her motivated to continue volunteer work, Bek shared her biggest motivator of all,

"the people. Seeing the joy that people get from being able to do their sport is awesome... You know one day, they will give back just as I am."

"My role model was Tony Waniarcha! Founder of USC Lion. His passion for the club and game was second to none, so when he did something, you wanted to help him, to be part of it, to learn all the parts of volleyball."

There's no doubt Bek has given a lot to volleyball, in her time, with love and passion for the sport. But, she also shared with us there is a lot she gets in return,

"seeing people grow in the sport I love. Seeing a kid get it, after trying and trying and trying... Finally, something clicks and their game changes!! It's the best!!"

Bek's impact on the community goes far beyond USC Lion, as we caught up with 2022 Volleyball SA Volunteer of the Year, Trent Woodward, who iterated her amazing impact,

"Bek Footner is the epitome of "heart and soul" for their club, consistently going above and beyond."

"From watching her relations with all club community members to seeing her commitment to game days and club performance, and then her passion for junior development. Bek is one of the key pieces in USC's consistent presence as a highly competitive and well-governed club within South Australia."

"Volunteers like Bek inspire our communities to grow and improve."

To wrap up our conversation with Bek, we asked what advice she would give someone thinking about becoming involved in volunteer work,

"Just do it. It takes a village to raise kids, so it takes a village to make sport happen... The parents who step in to coach a sport they don't know, or the players who step up to coach, be on the committee or run the canteen, for the families who support the clubs... it's all to see people play, laugh and love the game!!"

"So if you love your sport, then share your skills and passion, and trust me... People will come on the journey, and they will remember the way you made them feel and ignite a flame for the game in them"

Thank you Bek for being such a great presence in our community, and for inspiring others to follow in your footsteps.