ABOUT YOU
Name: Chloe Archibald
Age: 23
Hometown: Derry
Occupation: Final year student – BSc Hons Sport & Exercise Science
Current voluntary roles: Under 10 Football Coach for Crusaders Strikers Juniors, player and Administrator for Crusaders Strikers Women’s Football Club
INTRODUCTION TO VOLUNTEERING
1. What first attracted you to volunteering in sport?
I have always enjoyed sport and appreciated all the time and effort my coaches put in when I was younger and wanted to give something back. I have been privileged to represent Northern Ireland at underage and senior level in football. I would like to hopefully support the development of younger girls in reaching similar levels.
2. What qualifications did you have prior to your coaching and administrative roles?
I had my Irish Football Association Level 1 Football Coaching Award.
VOLUNTEER DEVELOPMENT
3. What has sustained your involvement as a youth coach and administrator with Crusaders Strikers WFC?
I enjoy working with all the kids in the junior club and it is satisfying to see them develop and enjoy the game as much as I always have. In the administrative role, I enjoy the responsibility of liaising with men’s team and the governing body to ensure, where I can, that the club is well organised.
4. As an undergraduate student, have you found it difficult to balance your voluntary roles with academic life?
Not particularly. If anything, I have been able to develop time management and planning skills within my voluntary roles. I would consider these skills as personal strengths, which has allowed me to balance and manage all aspects of my lifestyle.
5. What have you gained in these voluntary experiences?
The satisfaction of passing on knowledge to youth players is a massive bonus for me. I also believe my experience will help me in my application for jobs in football development when I complete my degree.
6. Have you gained additional qualifications in your voluntary roles?
Not at present but there are opportunities to up-skill in both administration and football coaching which I am keen in pursuing to support my career development.
7. Greatest moment as a volunteer?
I don’t have one favourite moment, however, every time a player grasps something they have been struggling with and I can see the joy on their face – that is my favourite thing about volunteering.
AND FINALLY…
8. What are the three best things about volunteering in sport?
1: Giving something back to the sport I love. 2: Being closely involved in my club’s future development. 3: Having so many children look up to you as a role model.
9. What advice would you provide to other women and girls considering a voluntary role in sport?
It is definitely worth getting involved. There are lots of local clubs in need of volunteers. Sometimes people can be hesitant about taking up a voluntary role due to the hours required per week. There are a number of roles that you can be involved with in local clubs that are less time consuming but equally as rewarding.
See more featured role models…