The Sharks will host their inaugural Shark Tank event in January of next year in launching the Heart to Heart volunteers program.
An estimated 2.9 million volunteers help make sport happen across Australia, from coaching players, managing community clubs and providing positive sporting experiences for participants of all abilities and at all stages of life.
However, through the period of the COVID19 pandemic the volunteer sector was heavily impacted, with Sport Australia reporting 100, 000 volunteers leaving sport in the last 3 years.
Volunteering in the Sutherland Shire has decreased from 19.2% of the population in 2016 to 13.6% in 2021.
Hence the creation of the Sharks’ Heart to Heart volunteers program which aims to rebuild and reinforce a flourishing network of volunteers to participate in flexible and dynamic roles. The idea is that together we contribute to an inclusive, connected community and a thriving sport sector in the Sutherland Shire.
The Sharks Heart to Heart launch event is scheduled for Monday, January 23 where select sporting and community partners will be given the opportunity to highlight their club, organisation, and the gaps they have identified in their volunteer workforce, to a network of existing and prospective volunteers.
Shark Tank events will continue quarterly with the aim to link volunteers with the clubs and organisations best suited to their interests, goals, skill sets and experience.
Volunteering is associated with better mental health and quality of life, opportunities for social interaction, and a sense of purpose and belonging.
The Heart to Heart program aims to identify innovative ways for community members from all walks of life, regardless of their prior association with sport, to manage volunteering with other interests and commitments, with Heart to Heart volunteers having the flexibility to be involved in key roles with sporting and community partners, or by undertaking one-off volunteering opportunities through the Shark Crew.
For potential volunteers or sporting organisations looking for more information about the Heart to Heart program, or to register an interest in attending a Shark Tank event, email [email protected].
