I’ve got a confession to make…I have a deep love for this week’s Volunteer of the Week.
And you’d like to think so – because we’ve been married for 29 years!
Kellie Nagel, team manager of the Pakenham women’s football team, knows very little about football but – she doesn’t need to – her job is to keep things organised and make sure things are getting done and her girls are looked after.
“So, explain it to me again, which end is the forward line, is that where we kick goals or try and stop them from kicking goals,” that’s the usual conversation on the way to a Saturday afternoon match, usually starting at 4.45pm and – due to the Pakenham change rooms being currently under renovation – is almost every week played in the hills.
From Monbulk to Olinda, Upwey to Seville, Healesville to Yarra Junction – a 30-minute to one-hour drive allows Kellie to ask questions and expand on her football knowledge.
“Chloe’s been playing in the centre lately…I thought you said she played in the guts,” oh Kellie…please!
But one thing she does know about the game, and loves, is that it brings her closer to her kids.
Currently Kellie is playing the role of team manager for her daughter Chloe, while in the past the keen shopper – a particular hoarder of ear-rings – has played the same role when her sons Jamie and Matthew played for the junior club at Pakenham.
“I think I’m like most other parents out there, I just love being involved in the kids sport and it’s almost a privilege to do it because you get involved in the game and feel like a part of the team,” Kellie said.
“The girls in the team are just so good to be around and I really enjoy the team environment.
“Sometimes the girls play well, and you enjoy those times when they’re smiling, but sometimes players come off injured, or we have a loss, and you share those experiences as well.
“I just love being a part of it all and really enjoy the banter.”
Kellie takes no shortcuts in making sure her girls are well-looked after.
Our shopping bill, well it expands each week with the buying of snakes for the quarter time and half-time huddles, while oranges cut into quarters make up the three-quarter-time fare.
Blankets are packed to make sure the interchange sitters are kept warm, while spare shorts, socks and jumpers are also tucked away just in case of emergencies.
Valuables are collected, left-over clothes are washed and handed out…before the hunt for volunteers begins.
The search for a goal umpire, time keeper and umpire escort can often leave Kellie frustrated…but every week those behind-the-scenes chores get done.
And then when players start singing their theme song, or rip off their boots in disgust, the team managers role continues.
Paperwork for the league, organising best and fairest votes for the club, and picking up leftover jumpers, shorts, socks and water bottles…and being a focus of the banter…they’re all part of the fun!
“For some reason, I seem to be the butt of a lot of jokes, the coach, the assistant coaches, the runner, the girls…they’re mostly cheeky buggers but I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Kellie said.
“It keeps you on your toes and is a great part of being involved at a sporting club.
“Sometimes you look at other volunteers, from other clubs, doing the same stuff that I do…and I often wonder if they’re getting the same buzz out of it that I do.
“I enjoy it…being a volunteer is very rewarding and I’d love to keep doing it as long as Chloe is playing the game.”
And if that’s in the centre, or the guts…it doesn’t really matter to Kellie at all!
