2015 National Volunteer Week – Sue Woods, Waikato

Sue Woods, pictured here with Special Olympic swimmer Matthew Slone and the Swimming New Zealand mascot Koru, has been a volunteer coach for Special Olympics Hamilton for 18 months.

Matthew is a member of the team heading to the Special Olympic World Summer Games in Los Angeles from July 25^th – August 2^nd.

Sue has been his coach and mentor since October last year and has been instrumental in preparing him for the Games.

But it’s not just the top level Special Olympic swimmers Sue helps. Sue turns up every Sunday from 5pm – 6pm at the pool to assist all the swimmers reach their potential.

Sue also has a long history of volunteering for swim clubs in Hamilton including Rovers, ACE and more recently Te Awamutu Swim Club.

In recognition of all her efforts for swimming in the Waikato region Sue was awarded with the 2015 Volunteer of the Year Award by Swimming Waikato at the awards ceremony on June 12^th.