National Volunteer Week 2025

As part of National Volunteers Month and National Volunteers Week April 27-May 3, Swim Ontario would like to thank our hard working volunteers who give their time and commitment to help our sport and community on a daily basis. We will be highlighting many of our wonderful volunteers over the next few weeks.

Memories do radiate interesting times in a person’s life.

Bruce Sheppard has some of those recollections that, well, just don’t go away.

Talk with the veteran swim official about his days of volunteering at swim meets and be prepared for a few stories. Chuckles, too.

The 73-year-old native of St. John’s, Newfoundland, a place often referred to as “The Rock” because of its rugged terrain, was sharing some of those flashbacks from a stellar career of close to 40 years of devotion to volunteerism.

Volunteering. It’s something people often take for granted. An expectation that others will be around to do things. As for reality, take volunteers away from what they accomplish – and activities simply don’t happen.

Now, for some of those stories from a retired individual who is up in the early hours of the day and off for a jog, before returning for a coffee and a slew of functions involving the giving of his free time. For the record, he’s competed in 29 marathons.

Now, he’s interested in cycling.

Sheppard recalls the Fall of 1987, when he was taking his son to a swim meet, he was approached by what he described as a strong, determined and focussed woman. He wasn’t about to challenge her when she told him to become a swim official.

“Remember that well, I was told that I’d be an official,” said Sheppard, who was aware that officials were needed or there would be no meet. “I learned where to stand, how to watch, and what other officials were doing. It was a quick introduction to everything. But they didn’t tell me that I’d get wet.”

While Sheppard knows how to swim, his wife (Fiona Grant) is a masters swimmer and also coaches in Ottawa.

As a graduate of Memorial University, Sheppard has always been fascinated with the sciences. Studies towards his Bachelors’ degree, had a great deal of biology. He also worked for the province’s wildlife service. However, his claim to fame, with a master’s degree in education, has been in the classroom.

For a remarkable 30 years, Sheppard has been a teacher, vice principal and principal. He finished his career at Prince of Wales Collegiate in St. John’s. Sheppard also found time to devote to the world of extracurricular activities. His emphasis on coaching school volleyball, track, hockey and rugby.

Time for another story as a volunteer. Again, to the pool. Officiating at what is called The Works Aquarena, a superb swimming facility in St. John’s and the site of the 2025 Canada Games in August.

“As an official, you are constantly watching swimmers and making sure they do the right thing,” he said. “You realize that others are also watching – parents, athletes and other officials – and wondering if you make the right call especially when it might involve a problem. You call it as you see it, as it happens. There is no time for hesitation.”

For Sheppard, one of those tough moments involved his son, Carl.

“I disqualified him (from a race) for starting too quickly – a false start,” said Sheppard. “It still comes up for conversation and my son is now 46-years old. He hasn’t forgiven me for that.”

Sheppard has earned the title of being a Level 5 official. It’s also the highest category of certification and he can be assigned as a Competition Coordinator as well as teach in all clinics.

April is an important time of the year - Global Volunteer Month. In Canada, we celebrate National Volunteer Week from April 14 to 20. It’s a time of praising, honoring and recognizing the dedication by some 25 million people across the country, who have made an exceptional impact on society.

“Officiating at swim meets has taken up a lot of my time – but the important thing is that I enjoy it,” said Sheppard, who is also a recipient of a lifetime achievement award from Swim Ontario.

“Everyone should volunteer at something in their life. For me, it was officiating. I picked up numerous skills, met many interesting people and developed contacts that have been huge. I also enjoy mentoring officials.”

Sheppard makes it clear that he has benefitted immensely from his years as a swim official and the experience has been comforting when handling challenging situations and decisions.

“Swimmers and coaches know there are rules to follow - and they also expect us to get it right, so it benefits everyone,” he said.

In 2007, he moved to the Nation’s Capital. That’s where Sheppard also likes to share the episode he had at the Sportsplex facility. It involved a 10-year-old swimmer.

“He came up to me and asked if I was a “disqualifier”, said Sheppard. “To me, that’s how he viewed an official. It caught me off guard. I had a lovely chat with him and explained my position and how things should be done right. He got the message.”

There are times when people can get frustrated, display emotions and even throw up their hands in annoyance or disgruntlement. Sheppard was asked if he was ever in that kind of a scenario – and fed up with officiating.

“Sure, but maybe for five minutes,” he chuckled. “You do this for enjoyment. To be with people. Volunteer your time and take on an important role. It all comes together.”

David Grossman is a veteran multi award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 50+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.