Volunteer Case Study | Julian Gilding

“I would like others to experience what I have had the pleasure of being involved in - and being able to facilitate that has been a joy to be part of, let's hope we see many more years of enjoyment.”

Working alongside my wonderful wife, Siany, we helped start the Crewe & Nantwich RUFC Touch section in 2011 – which is where it all began initially as players then probably more as facilitators.

We got involved because of the joint love of rugby as a sport and the fact that we could both play together and we wanted others to be able to have that same experience. Over the years we have formed a 'Touch Committee' with several key members of the club (and parents) now fully integrated within that group. Without the support of the committee this would not be possible.

My role as a Volunteer at the club includes:

• Committee member helping with the governance and running of the club, ensuring that we provide a safe and enjoyable environment for players aged 10 upwards
• Coach
• Referee on a weekly basis and during the winter/summer comps 
• Player (at Development NTS and Emerging MWTC level)
• Manager for each of the Dev NTS (“Ignite”), Elite NTS (“Blaze”), MWTC (Men “Inferno”, Women “Flames”) teams – ensuring that all players are able to participate in competitive Touch (physically, mentally and financially) and general competition “dogsbody”
• Weekly posts for Social Touch sessions (both pre and post) on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
• Promoting the success of our players at Regional and International level (and successes outside of Touch)
• Ensuring the smooth running of the Touch sessions on a weekly basis (Summer twice a week and in Winter once a week)

Events such as local leagues, Elite NTS and Dev NTS require attendance to help 'guide' our young squad (with an average age of just 22 for our elite squad) members through days/weekends of competitions.

As a club, we strive to get more referees qualified and now have numerous L1 qualified officials, four L2s and are very proud to have one L3 amongst our ranks.

On the playing side we have also had the joy of seeing a number of our players represent the Regional teams and subsequently the International stage with representation in most age categories - an amazing feat for a team from such a small pool of local players.

I would like others to experience what I have had the pleasure of being involved in - and being able to facilitate that has been a joy to be part of, let's hope we see many more years of enjoyment.

Send us your volunteer story to volunteers@englandtouch.org.uk