"Volunteering meant a lot to me and there was so much enjoyment."

There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer, and over the next few weeks, Swim Ontario will be featuring five stories about some of our many volunteers who give back to our sport. Thank you to all of our hard working and dedicated volunteers!

Scottish-born Jade Doig came to Canada for a visit with relatives and, at the same time, take in the spectacle of another country.

It was when her university studies went to online education, because of the world-wide pandemic, that Doig figured there was an opportunity to extend her stay while also learning from the comfort of a family home.

A former competitive club swimmer, with medals from numerous county championships, it also made sense that she remained interested in sticking with something that builds endurance, muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness. Yes, swimming.

Doig, residing in the Toronto area, signed up for a membership to TPASC - the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre. To her, it was an extravagant facility fit for an individual who enjoys a robust appetite of vigor, strength, and good health. She was still one to enjoy swimming – several days a week.

There was something else that would eventually inspire this young woman, who was born in the small village of Meigle, about 90 minutes north of Edinburgh. Not only was she overwhelmed with one of Canada’s supreme swim facilities, she knew there was so much more.

Articulate, and with a growing thirst for knowledge, Doig also knew that no one has made it through life without getting help from someone. Very important words and so, having volunteered her time in past, she started thinking.

Originally focussed on buying tickets to watch outstanding swimmers challenge for medals at the FINA Swimming World Cup hosted by TPASC, Doig triggered another thought.

An unselfish vibrancy had occurred, and a thought of personal satisfaction blossomed at meeting new people. There was also the logic of becoming a positive influence and doing something willingly for the community.

For the 20-year-old, her enthusiasm was energized at seeing an opportunity to volunteer.

It was a perfect time to step forward – and that’s exactly what happened.

“I saw an option to be at the event, but also to pitch in and do what I could to help,” said Doig, who is studying sports massage therapy, but also interested in the world of sports management.

After making a formal request to volunteer, Doig was approved. What followed became a learning opportunity that included multi-task responsibilities.

“I was doing a variety of things from poolside escorting athletes to being at the awards table and also handing out accreditation,” she said. “It was wonderful.”

What may have been an original plan of a few hours as a spectator, turned out to be several days at a spectacular and memorable event that involved hundreds of athletes from 40 countries with Canada as host for the first time in 20 years.

“I really enjoyed making an impact, helping people,” added Doig. “Volunteering meant a lot to me and there was so much enjoyment. There were also some funny looks from people who, after hearing my accent, wondered where I was from and how I got here.”

On the first day, Doig said she didn’t know what to expect.

“I was there to do a job, put up signs and really willing to do anything,” she said. “I felt so good that people trusted me a lot. Just being part of the team was very meaningful to me.”

Doig said she met so many people – including Dean Boles, Swim Ontario’s Chief Executive Officer.

“At first, I didn’t know who he was and thought he was like me, just another volunteer,” she said. “We met again the next day and then I found out he was the CEO of Swim Ontario. I was very impressed with him, and we spent some time talking about swimming and his background.”

Doig is already talking about returning to Canada in 2023 to navigate her career path and sees another opportunity to volunteer. This time, in March and April at the Canadian Swim Trials – again hosted by TPASC with Swim Ontario actively involved.

“I grew up in a small village, and I know the importance of volunteers,” she said. “Without (volunteers), nothing would get done.”

Asked about her experience and take-away from volunteering, Doig said there was a great deal of satisfaction – and some souvenirs.

“I have my lanyard, accreditation, t-shirts worn for certain responsibilities, a stuffed toy mascot, some fabulous memories and life-long friends,” she said. “It’s funny, I had planned to go see a swim meet and got so much more by volunteering.”

Doig was particularly impressed with the guidance given by Nicole Parent, Swim Ontario’s Competition and Officials Development Services Coordinator.

“(Parent) was such a good mentor and trusted me to do the jobs that had to get done,” said Doig. “My positive experience was due to her support of putting me in the positions she did.”

Doig’s experience at volunteering at a large-scale swim meet, may have also awoken her desire to enter the pool again.

“I’m a water baby and I swim every day for fitness,” she said. “Watching (the World Cup), it brought a tear to me. It also helped me gain confidence and to consider giving competitive swimming a thought once again.”

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 45+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.