In August this year, Travis Timpson contacted CNC after being given an amazing opportunity to volunteer at the World University Netball Championships in Uganda in September. CNC was more than happy to help spread the word to ask if Clubs had any game or coaching resources they would like to donate as Travis' had planned to give these to the local Netball centre in Kampala. 

We caught up with Travis after his travels to see how it all went!

CNC: Can you please tell us how you came to volunteer at the games?

TT: I was told about the opportunity by one of my previous coaching mentors who referred me to University Sport NZ. They were advertising for NZ Tertiary students to volunteer at a range of sporting events around the world namely 'University World Championships' for each sporting code. I sent off an application not thinking anything would become of it but received an invitation a few weeks later.

CNC: How long did it go for and what roles did you have?

TT: The actual event ran from 17th - 21st September however I arrived on the 13th to assist with the preparations. My role was as a international volunteer and in the first few days I assisted the secretary with lots of administrative duties but when the event took place I assisted the teams with anything they needed and generally just enjoyed the event. I was really fortunate to link up with the USA Team who welcomed me into their group and went on excursions with them as well as attending their matches.

CNC: As well as attending the games did you visit anywhere else? 

TT: I visited an area in Kampala called Nakawa with the USA Netball team as part of an organisation trying to inspire and help underprivileged girls living in the slums. It was a total eye opener and quite an emotional experience seeing how they lived but they were such happy people and welcomed us onto their netball court (with the court lines made of broken up coal and stones).

I also spent a few days exploring Dubai before and after the event - definitely recommend to anyone visiting that part of the world!

CNC: Can you please tell us about the resources you took with you?

TT: Thank you so much to CNC for the coaching resources donated. I took as much as possible to Uganda along with uniforms, bibs, and skipping ropes donated from Halswell Netball Club, who I am also most grateful to.

CNC: How were the resources distributed?

TT: Unfortunately due to the likelihood of a mini riot starting (as the kids start to fight and take things from each other) we gave the donated goods to the minister to distribute fairly after we left.

CNC: Do you have any other travels on your radar?

TT: The opportunity totally opened up the world to me and i have definitely been bitten by the travel bug. In late 2019 I have been invitied to attend the USA Netball Open so I really look forward to that and catching up with everyone again.

CNC: Would you recommend opportunities like this to others and what did you learn from the experience?

TT: Honestly it was a life changing opportunity and anyone who gets the chance should definitely take it with both hands. I met so many amazing people such as international umpires, coaches, players, and got to see how an official INF event is run up close and behind the scenes. Not only the netball side of it but being exposed to a totally different culture was extremely rewarding.

The University Netball World Championships comes around every 2 years so I will be actively following up and hope to see a NZ team represented in 2020 as we have never sent a team to the event. Watching the grand final between South Africa and Uganda was incredible with Uganda taking a 1 goal win in the dying seconds and believe us Kiwis would be right up there!

Again I would just like to thank the CNC, Halswell Netball, & UC Netball for their contributions and in helping this amazing opportunity happen for me. For any further information about the event Click here or to learn more about volunteering at an event like this Click here.

Congratulations Travis! What a wonderful experience!

Photo album: Click here

Article added: Thursday 11 October 2018