Skip to main content
National Volunteer Week - Emma Weller
April 16, 2024
During National Volunteer Week, HEO will be sharing stories of some of the incredible volunteers we are so lucky to have involved in hockey in Eastern Ontario. This story features Emma Weller, head coach of the African Hockey Association.
Q: What volunteer roles do you hold within the African Hockey Association? Can you briefly describe what you do in these roles.
A: I am the head coach of the African Hockey Association. I have held this position for two years and will be going into my third next fall. In this position, I am in charge of everything related to our team – whether it is setting up our partnerships to get funding, scheduling the ice times, creating the practice plans, coordinating with the parents each week, managing registration, ensuring the kids always have the proper equipment, managing stakeholders, managing volunteers, event planning, and all of the other fun little tasks that pop up! That said, it is my task to ensure this program operates on a week-to-week basis smoothly and do all of the coordinating, and then we have volunteer coaches who show up to support me with coaching the kids on the ice each week.
Q: How did you get involved with volunteering?
A: Funny story actually... I was in my second year of university at Carleton and was playing on the women's varsity hockey team while studying journalism. I was doing a virtual interview for class in my dressing room after practice one morning and the gentleman I was speaking to asked if I was in a hockey dressing room, which I was, and he then asked if I wanted to volunteer with this new program he set up. So I began to help on the ice when I could throughout that first season, and the following year all of the "designated" coaches left the program, so I stepped up to take over with the help of two amazing volunteer coaches, Amarkai and Abbas. From there, it's history!
Q: What has been the most rewarding part about volunteering?
A: The most rewarding part about volunteering with this program is seeing the kids' smiling faces each week and watching them grow both on and off the ice. I have coached many kids over the years but I have never seen kids be so happy to play and eager to learn compared to this group – they are so special. We have some kids who have been with us since the very start so seeing their progression and passion for the sport is truly amazing. I have had the immense pleasure to build connections with the families over the years which has also been such a reward. This program also has challenged me as a leader and coach as I have taken on many roles and had to adapt to teaching a program for kids aged 3-17 which isn't always easy. Bottom line, Sundays are my favourite days of the week (our practice days)!
Q: Why do you think others should get involved in volunteering?
A: Volunteering is such a special thing. I have been an avid volunteer all of my life and I believe it has made me the person I am today. It allows you to step outside your comfort zone, connect with different communities, build leadership skills, give back in positive ways, and so much more. It helps you learn and grow as a person as well and I am a firm believer that giving back to the community is one of the best things a person can do throughout their life. There are so many opportunities to get involved and help make this world a better place, and by doing so, you can help change someone's life.
For more information on the African Hockey Association, please visit their website.