“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.” – Elizabeth Andrew
Alberta Soccer exists to create a centre of excellence for the game, providing opportunities for all players to reach their full potential. For this vision to be a reality, Alberta Soccer, and each of its member communities, rely on the time, support, and passion of our volunteers.
Alberta Soccer is deeply grateful to those who commit much of their time to facilitating the game of soccer in our province. From the challenging side of volunteering, such as sitting on a discipline panel, to the action-packed volunteer opportunities, like serving as a National Competition representative, each volunteer fills a crucial role that ensures soccer continues to develop and grow across our province and country.
In honour of National Volunteer Week, Alberta Soccer would like to thank each and every volunteer in our sport – without these individuals, soccer simply wouldn’t be possible.
Volunteer Spotlight
Sharon Evens:
When it comes to discipline hearings, reliability and precision are key. Alberta Soccer is blessed to have many stellar volunteers who assist with discipline-related incidents across the province, and Calgary’s Sharon Evens stands out:
“Sharon is a very reliable volunteer, making herself available on multiple dates and never backing out once committed,” explains Alberta Soccer Office Coordinator, Geraldine Ratcliffe. “Sharon goes above and beyond to make my job run smoothly, ensuring I have the details needed to meet deadlines and inform those impacted by each discipline case. Even after several difficult reports and long evenings spent at hearings, Sharon continues to volunteer!”
Danny Bowie:
It’s often the case that when an individual volunteers in one realm of soccer, we find them giving their time in other areas, too. This couldn’t be more true than in the case of Danny Bowie. Danny serves as an Alberta Soccer Board Member as well as on the Competitions, Technical, and Referee Committees. Between these two commitments, Danny ends up dedicating many of his evenings and weekends to soccer all year round.
“We are very fortunate to have a volunteer with the skillset that Danny Bowie possesses who goes above and beyond for the sport of soccer. His tireless efforts have served Alberta Soccer in many capacities and through it all, he has influenced the sport for the better,” said Shaun Lowther, Alberta Soccer Executive Director. “I have watched Danny manage stressful situations at Provincial Competitions with dignity and respect, working toward positive outcomes for all involved, whenever possible.”
Victoria Baker:
It’s rewarding to see the fruits of a volunteer’s labour directly translate into success on the field. The Alberta Soccer technical team saw this recently with Grassroots and Provincial Team coach, Victoria Baker. Coaching alongside John Clubb and Kate Stacey ahead of the Vancouver Whitecaps Combine in BC, Victoria’s commitment to the team resulted in ten of the team’s players representing Alberta in the Combine’s featured Game of Distinction.
“This was testament to how both Victoria and Kate gave their time willingly to support the girls’ development,” said John Clubb, Alberta Soccer Manager of Grassroots Development and the team’s head coach. “Volunteering goes hand in glove with coach and player development.”
Volunteer Opportunities with Alberta Soccer
Alberta Soccer depends on its volunteers and often seeks support in a variety of areas. If you’re interested in getting involved as a photographer, committee and/or board member, please reach out to the Alberta Soccer office.
“What is the essence of life? To serve others and to do good.” Aristotle