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Volunteering across Four Clubs – Meet Mikey!

We are shining a regular spotlight on some of our amazing volunteers across the UK that help our Clubs to thrive. In the latest of this series, we spoke with Mikey Weedall who helps out with four of the Sporting Memories sessions that Dragons Community run across South Wales.

Mikey has been proactively involved with the local community in Newport and beyond through his time with Dragons Community. Along with supporting four of our Sporting Memories Clubs in the local area, he has provided his time to the Dragons wheelchair and disability rugby teams.

We started our conversation with Mikey about his journey with the Dragons’ Sporting Memories sessions.

“I started going down to Rodney Parade with the Dragons just as I was keen to have a look (at Sporting Memories) and see what it was about with the aim of offering to help out as a volunteer; then eventually I started going and volunteering regularly and now I can help with up to four Clubs during the week!

“With the help of Karen Hopkins, I do a lot of volunteering for the Dragons, for example I’ve been on visits to schools and been involved with other things. I really enjoy the volunteering aspect and getting to meet people. A lot of people at Sporting Memories have become my friends.”

For Mikey, one of the reasons why he is so committed and passionate to supporting Sporting Memories is the companionship developed at the sessions.

“They say it’s a cliché, but we have this thing called the #DragonsFamily, and I think it’s really the case with us because we’re so close together and we do a lot of things like a family. We’ll go out together for social nights and enjoy things locally, whether it’s tribute act nights, or even soon we’ve got an event with Dan Biggar which we’re all going to. As volunteers, we all get along together.

“One of the great things about Sporting Memories is that spirit. For example, I visited the Risca Club after not visiting for a while, but people were still warmly welcoming me saying ‘how are you? good to see you!’ - there’s that camaraderie amongst everyone regardless of age -  our session can range from like 60-year-olds all the way to 90.”

Whilst Mikey gets great personal enjoyment from being a part of the Sporting Memories sessions, he stated clearly the impact they can have on those that come along is something he feels is truly special.

“I’ve done it for a few years now and I enjoy mixing with people, also I’m a good talker which helps! I’m 53 and it’s not just about the time you spend volunteering; it’s often the times you see people away from volunteering and you have a chat. Building those friendships is really nice. I love it and I’m already looking forward to the next session.

“I spoke to one of our lady members before a recent session, and she said she wasn’t feeling very well, so she wasn’t going to attend. I managed to convince her to come and she had a great time, eventually saying to me at the end that was so glad that she came along and was grateful to me for persuading her to attend. Little things like that mean the world to me and show that what I’m doing is worthwhile.”

Mikey rounded off our conversation by summarising what made the four Sporting Memories Clubs so impactful.

“We always say that everyone is welcome. It’s not all about sport; whilst we do things connected to sport like the quizzes in the Pinks we also open up the floor so we can chat about anything, with the hope we can create a place where everyone can have a good time. Whether it’s a game of boccia or quiz, everyone seems to enjoy it and I love it.

“It’s just about going in with an open mind. You can end up having great conversations with people on not just sport, but about so many things in life.”

Our Sporting Memories Clubs with Dragons Community run in Blaenavon, Cwmbran Ebbw Vale, Risca and Newport. To find out more about these Clubs, contact Karen Hopkins via karen.hopkins@dragonsrugby.wales