Western Sydney Wanderers takes pride on Saturday in celebrating the outstanding support of the Guardian Funerals Wandercrew, the club’s 150-person team of volunteers who help make match day and more tick.
Each Wandercrew member works tirelessly to be the oil in the machine on show at Pirtek Stadium and in the community. As another season spent assisting with Hyundai A-League, Westfield W-League and Foxtel National Youth League comes to a close the club is taking the final fixture of the domestic season to thank its volunteers.
The plaudits, as Wanderers’ Community Engagement Manager Josh Hunter explains, are well-deserved.
“It’s a day to say thank you,” Hunter says.
“It’s a chance not just for the administration staff but also the playing group to show their thanks and appreciation. They get to have a really intimate barbeque with the players which the club puts on along with a couple of other activities to interact with the playing group.”
As part of repaying the invaluable support of their volunteers the club strives throughout the season to ensure the relationship is mutually beneficial.
“The whole idea behind the Wandercrew is giving people an opportunity to try to learn different skills and to give back to their football club,” Hunter explains.
“We’ve found some really valuable members in our community space through this program that have gone on to other things. Some have gained employment internally with the club but also with FFA and other football organisations. It’s a nice way to create a system that can constantly feed on itself.”
The Wandercrew, just like those that pack out the stands at Pirtek Stadium, involves a broad cross section of people. Volunteers begin as young as 12 and include students and adults of all experiences.
“A lot of people who are helping us also run associations or help out very heavily with their local clubs, so they’re in football almost 12 months a year and they’re doing this unpaid,” Hunter says.
“That says a lot about the people who are a part of the Wandercrew.”
Western Sydney Wanderers want you to join, too. Applications are currently being accepted from anyone looking to assist with the Wanderers’ Powerchair team, while a push for fresh help will begin around August.
If you spot a Wandercrew member on Saturday don’t miss your chance to say thanks for their contribution to the club’s success.
If you would like to join up email reception@wswanderersfc.com.au
