Sports

Grafton United’s Lynn Rudder named North Coast Football Volunteer of the Month

The local community sees and admires the public face of Grafton United’s Lynn Rudder – while those closer see a private life mirrored in a professional capacity.

Lynn’s “original degree” was a Bachelor of Economics, before she retrained as a math teacher. The Grafton club president has always had a thing for numbers – and people too. Lynn is now in her third year teaching emotionally disturbed students at a high school.

“It is so fulfilling. It teaches you resilience and I do a fair bit of mothering too,” she said.

Before the teaching gig was another career at Telstra, working in customer service and as a “complaints specialist”. All good training skills for anyone tackling a leadership role in a community football club.

“Everyone should do a course in conflict resolution. It’s so important that everyone feels that they have been listened to,” Lynn said.

Just named as the Newcastle Permanent Volunteer of the Month, lessons learned in football have carried seamlessly into her paid work life.

“I’ve had that rapport with the children and I bring that into my classroom. The two (football and work) blend together, absolutely,” she said.

While delighted at the acknowledgment of the Volunteer of the Month gong, Lynn remains as ever grounded.

“It was great, but you don’t do it to win awards,” she said.

“Volunteering brings you such a sense of fulfillment.

“It was how I was raised, with my family always looking to sponsor or coach.

“Without volunteers community sport, community anything – just doesn’t happen.

“You get the reward of helping to contribute. When a kid goes on to do something amazing it’s wonderful to remember that you might have helped along the way.”

Photo

Another game…another set of tasks to perform; Lynn Rudder on the job. Image: Contributed