A familiar voice carried over the air at a zone carnival in Rooty Hill on the weekend.
Wielding the microphone was Dereck Fineberg, a 35-year volunteer veteran of Little Athletics.
His dedicated service has taken him from the Blacktown club all the way to his current position of national president.
And even though he describes his role as having more of a “helicopter view”, Mr Fineberg still chose to spend his weekend engaged in the finer details at the Metropolitan West carnival.
“It’s the kids themselves, it’s the athletes; it’s great to see them take part year after year out there and enjoying themselves,” he said.
“It’s the camaraderie too I think between the officials and the parents. You all feel like you’re part of something worthwhile. Athletics needs an army of volunteers really.”
Dereck, 70, was one of 8416 people across NSW recognised by the Premier on International Volunteer Day last week.
Dereck Fineberg said it was "a wonderful honour" to be recognised by the NSW Premier, but even more special to get a "thank you" from a young athlete. Picture: Isabella Lettini
His association with Little Athletics started in 1979 when the youngest of his three children joined the Blacktown club.
After a few years Mr Fineberg, who has a lifelong love of sport as a player and a coach, got involved on the club’s board and eventually became president.
After his children became too old to compete, the Blacktown man continued with the organisation at a state and then a national level.
He will complete his second and final term as Little Athletics Australia national president in October next year.
Mr Fineberg said his highlights included becoming a life member of the Blacktown and NSW clubs.
He has also enjoyed following the careers of former Blacktown little athletes, including Matildas player Kyah Simon and Commonwealth Games gold medallist long-jumper Fabrice Lappiere.
“There’s a thread right through there, which is the camaraderie that you establish with all of the other people that are involved,” he said.
“It makes you feel good when you know there are other people willing to get out there and do their bit, so to be part of that is great at every level. It’s very rewarding.”
As for the inevitable question of what comes next, Mr Fineberg admitted he doesn’t know what he will do come October – but he’s certain he wants to keep volunteering for Little Athletics.
He also acknowledged the hard work of the countless other volunteers associated with the organisation.
“None of us do any of this for rewards”, he said.
“You do get a child or two who will come up and thank an official, and that just means so much to those people. If they’ve got a smile on their face, that’s the biggest bonus we can all get.”
Coles Little Athletics Australia acknowledges and pays respect to all traditional custodians of the lands of which we work, run, jump and throw throughout Australia. We pay respect to elders both past, present and emerging.
We are committed to a positive future for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and to honor their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to this country and recognize the role and value of culture.
