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.

It’s called credibility – and there is a great deal of it when Rob Kavanagh carries the paramount responsibility for officiating at swim meets.

He’s been a volunteer with swimming for 45 years.

Just think, for a minute, about that time span. Over four decades of service – at no cost.

“There’s so much personal satisfaction in being there for others,” said Kavanagh, who calls Thunder Bay his home. “Giving back to organizations and helping individuals, especially young kids in the pool – that’s very important to me.”

Kavanagh took on the important job of officiating with a variety of duties that encompass a countless number of tasks. One gets the feeling that he likes things done well and almost to perfection. What is also important is volunteering, which also requires people with the knowledge to be able to conduct a swim meet.

Without individuals like Kavanagh, no matter how many athletes sign up and people watching from the spectator side, meets don‘t happen. A slew of individuals is needed, devoting numerous hours in the same venue, to focus on the rules being followed. Fairness for all, right?

It was at the age of 25 years old that Kavanagh went to an officiating clinic. Not long afterwards, he earned the credentials of a Level 5 master official. For clarification, the time frame to reach the level of distinction didn’t happen overnight. Try, several years.

Kavanagh remains one of a handful of those elite officials in northwestern Ontario.

In 2023, Kavanagh was recognized by Swim Ontario with the Elizabeth Collins Ralph trophy for his work with the Thunder Bay Thunderbolts Swim Club as well as mentoring officials .

There is also a myriad of reasons that the largest provincial swim organization in the country has chosen to honor the 70-year-old Kavanagh as part of a special feature story series highlighting individuals during Volunteer Month.

“I’m here (volunteering) to make contributions that are valuable,” said Kavanagh, who was born in Baltimore, MD. At the age of eight, he and his family moved to Canada and settled in a small community near Port Colborne. “I’m also recruiting, mentoring and supporting the development of new officials.”

Now retired, with plenty of time to volunteer and do other things, Kavanagh knows his days at officiating don’t go on forever. All good things will eventually come to an end.

Let’s look at some of the functions carried out by volunteer officials. There’s sustaining

excellence, dissecting every move of a competitor, monitoring turns, injecting joy into the sport, and making sure the duties of those at poolside take a purist approach to their jobs.

Officials are also human. Therefore, there is always a very slim margin for error. Even Kavanagh is aware that people can also be complacent as it relates to appreciation, but that rarely happens with swim officials. A swimmers’ fortune doesn’t hinge on watching referees, but the ability for the athlete to reach an objective.

What Kavanagh does find annoying are situations, and there are few, when officials should be concentrating on races. In one case, he recalls two officials – one on each side of him – sharing their complaints and problems. Both were also parents of athletes.

Kavanagh downplays his contribution without diminishing it. There is respect and praise, and lots of it, for the other volunteers who are necessary for a meet to happen. While his officiating is always evolving, learning new things and re-educating himself at meets, he grows in knowledge and in a meaningful way. There is something to be said about a proactive leadership role.

There’s nothing flashy about Kavanagh, other than his persistence and stamina. Like everyone else, there have been gruelling times – and he’s had his share. He’s also made an indelible impression on others when it relates to officiating.

From little things to big accomplishments, Kavanagh studied forestry at Lakehead University and retired from working for the Thunder Bay Parks and Recreation department after an astonishing, and successful, 31 years.

If it isn’t obvious by now, Kavanagh enjoys being around water and thrives on the outdoors. He was also a competitive swimmer in his younger years, with the Port Colborne Aquatic Club.

Pick the sport and athletes are the focus. The same can be said for coaches. So often, and usually in controversial situations, much is said about the value of officials.

“Athletes can break rules, and not intentionally, but what is necessary is having officials to ensure rules are followed,” said Kavanagh.

He’s officiated at the Canada Games as well as a handful of events at the National level. Two meets that stood out as highlights – officiating at the Western Cup and the Junior Nationals, both held in Winnipeg.

“Volunteers Make Waves” is the theme for one of the weeks in National Volunteer Month. The time of the year shines the spotlight on individuals, who give of their time to make things better for others. It’s also a celebration of the contributions from millions of people in Canada who have volunteered to improve life in communities across the country.

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.