Alina Graham's once in a lifetime experience as a Goodwill Games volunteer will benefit local sporting for years to come. Currently Alina lectures in Physical Education and Human Movement at QUT, is a Goodwill Games volunteer Workforce Operations Supervisor and through this position is employed on the Opening Gala event. She says "The 5am coaching has been put 'on hold' until the end of the games." Alina's coaching speciality is the needs of older athletes. She runs coaching courses and training sessions for adults involved in AUSSI Masters Swimming. Her focus is improving technique to avoid injury and motivation. Recently she taught a 72 year old to swim. "All I have is admiration," Alina said. Keeping these athletes challenged, is the reason, Alina holds volunteer positions of South Queensland Director of Coaching for the Queensland Masters Swimming; and Events coordinator and designer of the Senior Games, which is a sporting event for citizens in respite care in south east Queensland. She also helped out in swimming at the Asia Pacific Games 1999 and 2000. Future volunteering? Alina is talking to the Firefighters Games [2002] swimming director and the possibility of helping out at the Police Games in November. Alina's core motivation of her career and voluntary work is "I'm a teacher at heart. I want to see adults gain confidence through physical activity and totally enjoy sport." |
By Monica Wilcox Volunteer Writer, Volunteering
Queensland September 2001