This week is National Volunteers week so we are recognising volunteering in Triathlon.
Name: Craig Lane
Volunteer Role: Director and Head Coach of Humber Triathletes and Regional Coaches Co-ordinator.
Favourite Discipline of Triathlon? Swim, Bike or Run? I cannot decide that’s why I do all three.
Favourite Food? Avocado on sourdough toast.
Favourite Holiday Destination? Mallorca
How long have you been volunteering in Triathlon? Since 2013
What does your volunteering role entail?
My main volunteering role is the director and head coach of the club I co-founded Humber Triathletes. My main duties are to oversee the running of the club and coaching alongside my fellow directors, committee members and coaches. Humber Triathletes has 85 adults, 32 juniors, and has become self-sustainable by hosting over 15 events a year so as you can imagine I wouldn’t cope without the help of all the like-minded people who all specialise in their also volunteered roles to keep the club going. I also volunteer for Triathlon England Yorkshire committee as the coach’s co-ordinator where my role is to create a voice between the regional coaches and the committee and source new and exciting CPDS.
What is most rewarding from your volunteer role?
There is so many things I could mention that I find rewarding, all the friendships that have been created within the club I think wouldn’t have happened if id of never co-created the club, all the achievements the athletes have gained from first timers and I think we have 12 guys pulling the GB suit on now. But what I find most rewarding is just giving something back to the sport that genuinely saved my life for the greater good, sounds cliché, but it’s true.
What is your motivation to volunteer in Triathlon?
Like I mentioned in the previous question I honestly believe triathlon saved my life as I needed a drastic lifestyle change for medical reasons. Since finding the sport I have changed careers, gained a degree in coaching, and I just love helping other people change their lives for the greater good which doesn’t necessarily have to be down the triathlon route, just as long as I can make a difference, I’m happy.
As a volunteer in triathlon, what have you been most pleased with/greatest success?
Again, they really are so many, the club has achieved so much. We have won the best club in Yorkshire award, I have won the best coach award, we have won the best event in Yorkshire from what I believe was without a doubt the best event in the country with the Yorkshire water Hull Triathlon where we literally shut down the whole city, but just recently we have had one or two of our junior athletes attend the adult training sessions and it’s like watching our seeds grow into mighty oaks.
How could a volunteer make a difference to the sport of Triathlon?
It goes without saying if it wasn’t for volunteers our club would not be so successful. I am so fortunate to have so many good people around me and I feel so humbled that I have been chosen for volunteer week as it really should be awarded to all of us who make the club what it is, and what it stands for. But it’s like most sports, if it wasn’t for grass roots, they wouldn’t be no sport at all.
