Geraldton Guardian Mid West Sports Awards: Ronnie Toomath one of countless volunteers who keeps sports alive

Ronnie Toomath is one of countless, behind-the-scenes people who keep community sports at the grassroots alive and thriving. Without people like Toomath donating their time and energy, there would be no platform or stage for locals to showcase their talent and skills in various sporting endeavours. Toomath won official of the year at the 2022 Geraldton Guardian Mid West Sports Awards for her dedication to her sport and community. Life member of the Geraldton Water Polo Association, Toomath says she spends hundreds of hours each season giving her time to the community for the love of sport. Nominations for the 2023 Geraldton Guardian Mid West Sports Awards are now open and people are urged to put forward worthy contenders in 11 categories. Winning last year’s award came as an honour for Toomath, who said she was glad the water polo association was able to receive some recognition. “It’s a great recognition for the sport, we have quite a lot of volunteers throughout water polo,” she said. “I was fortunate to play water polo for a long time, so it’s nice to still be involved in the sports, giving back into the community and back into your sport.” Volunteers are the backbone of sports and help keep communities alive, especially in regional areas such as Geraldton. Many unsung heroes give their time for the love of the game in roles like canteens, time keeping, coaching and more. “I don’t think sports could run without volunteers,” Toomath said. “Without volunteers, all those clubs, all those sports will really struggle. So I think it’s important to keep that alive and the passion for your sport helps people to put their hand up.” Toomath herself said she has been involved with the Geraldton water polo community for nearly 30 years. “I still volunteer at my club, even though I’m not playing in Geraldton and my kids are both playing in Perth,” she said. “I’m still involved in the club in a volunteer position, which is a fair amount of time, but you do it because you want to sport to succeed and you love the sport.” With the water polo season just beginning, Toomath said she has already put hours into helping things get going, and it will only ramp up. “I reckon I just spent over 40 hours sorting the fixtures before the season is even up and running. . . it would be hundreds of hours,” she said. Earlier this year, Toomath was the manager for sides that won country week, as well as travelling with the State teams over east for the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships. “We won the men’s and women’s championships this year, that’s a lot of volunteering to get everybody going and trying to keep the cost down,” she said. Further adding to her successful 2022, Toomath was made life member of the Geraldton Water Polo Association, recognising all the effort she puts in. “That was an amazing feeling, it’s not something that you ever go out to try and achieve,” she said. “That sports in your blood and it’s a nice recognition, but you would still do the same thing whether you’re a life member or not, it’s just nice to be recognised and to be in that group of people.” As a prime example of how valuable volunteers are to local sports, Toomath encourages others to give back to their communities. “I would encourage everybody to get involved and to volunteer because what you get back from it is an invaluable experience and a rewarding experience to be involved as a volunteer at any level,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be top level, but just to get involved and the friendships you make along the way is great.” To nominate someone for this year’s awards or to find out more about the categories, visit the Mid West Sport Federation website at mwsf.org.au. Nominations close on November 5 and are to recognise accomplishments and contributions between October 1, 2022 and September 30, 2023. This year’s Geraldton Guardian Mid West Sports Awards will be presented on Friday, November 17 at the Geraldton Yacht Club. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at https://mtr.cool/tvucfatccw.