*This story was originally published in the Winnipeg Free Press.

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Giving kids sport opportunities

It’s about showing up for your community

Brandon resident Scott Kirk’s volunteering journey with Sport Manitoba started in 2019 when he applied to serve as mission staff for the Western Canada Summer Games.

Since then Kirk has volunteered in multiple provincial and national competitions in summer and winter, taking on various essential roles.

“Mission staff are the conduit between host society and the teams,” he explains. “We make sure the games run as smoothly as they can. Our goal is to make sure coaches, managers and athletes can focus on the sport while we deal with everything else that may pop up along the way.”

“Everything else” ranges from logistics to problem-solving. Last summer Kirk found himself co-ordinating meals when scheduling conflicts left athletes without their lunches.

Volunteering to be part of mission staff requires a substantial time commitment; Kirk can be at the Canada Games for two-and-a-half weeks at a time. He helps with set-up, making sure things are ready for when the athletes arrive, and tear down once the games end.

He helps athletes navigate transportation, points them toward different venues hosting various competitions, and even plans downtime activities between events.

“We’re there to support the athletes so nothing distracts from the competition. We help get everything, we meet them off the bus, we make sure they know where they’re going, where they’re staying and answer any questions they may have and deal with any issues or concerns. And then there’s usually a day or so after the games end when we help clean up and make sure everything’s put away and sent back to Sport Manitoba,” Kirk says.

At first glance Kirk seems like a man with little time to spare, balancing his full-time career as director of operations at the Brandon Regional Health Centre with family commitments, a lifestyle that includes running, cycling and regular gym sessions, and taking his “very active” dog out on daily walks after a day in the office.

Volunteer opportunities

The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to wfp.to/volunteers or call 204-477-5180.

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But where there’s a will, there’s a way. He thinks nothing of using weeks of personal vacation days to make sure he is able to fulfil his volunteering commitments.

His most recent role was at the recent Manitoba Winter Games in Thompson, where he served as chef for Team West — a title that has nothing to do with cooking.

Borrowed from the Olympic term chef de mission, the position involves overseeing the delegation of nearly 200 athletes taking part in 14 sports at the week-long event. It’s a role that comes with huge responsibility but Kirk is unfazed.

“I had an assistant chef and the two of us made sure everything ran smoothly. Working at the Manitoba Games really gives you an idea of what happens behind the scenes and all the work that goes into co-ordinating the games. I find the Manitoba Games a great stepping stone for the Canada Games as it serves as an introduction into a multi-sport event,” he says.

Long before Kirk stepped into volunteer roles himself, he was watching from the sidelines as his father, Raymond Kirk, a phys-ed teacher mentored and supported young athletes at any opportunity.

Whether at a hockey rink or a baseball diamond, Kirk senior was only too willing to give back to his community, his son says.

Those moments left a lasting impression and shaped his own belief that sport thrives because people are willing to pitch in and help out.

“My dad was always helping,” Kirk recalls. “It didn’t matter the sport; he just showed up and gave his time. It’s about community, it’s about making sure kids have the same opportunities we had growing up.”