Aspiring Olympian Mat Belcher volunteers for his home club

by Suellen Hurling on 1 Dec 2010 Mat Belcher’s goal is to represent his country at the 2012 London Olympic Games in the 470 Class with fellow team mate and crew Malcolm Page.

The commitment and hectic schedule required to reach the elite level of competition requires 110% dedication, forfeiting family events, the Sunday afternoon BBQ with friends, spending time with significant others and a social life in general. But for these athletes, that’s just part of the sacrifice to make it to the top.

A member of the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron (RQYS) since 1994, Mat spent many of his early days racing and training on the waters of Waterloo Bay in Brisbane and when the opportunity arose to volunteer for a day, he broke the news to his understanding wife and made his way to Brisbane.

'The club sent around an email to members saying they were looking for volunteers to assist with club racing and regattas,' said Mat. 'Somehow I managed to find a window and just after racing in the ISAF Test Event in Perth, flew to Brisbane to help out on the Southern course for club racing and the 420 Queensland Championship.'

'It’s so important to give back to the club that has helped achieve your goals. RQYS has provided me with some great opportunities and has such amazing facilities to train,' said Mat.

Upon arriving at RQYS and reporting for duties, Mat was issued with the volunteer team uniform, given his lunch pack and got to work with fellow volunteer David Virgo by inflating the buoys, securing the weights and anchors and loading them into the mark laying boat.

'Normally before heading onto the water we chill out and relax, but as a volunteer there was no time for this! We had to ensure that everything was ready for the course and departed for the racing area an hour before the competitors headed out,' said Mat.

Mat and David were responsible for laying the marks for the club racing and Queensland 420 Championships and were also part of the rescue team if needed.

'It’s tough picking the first shift to the top mark but it’s just as hard laying a course where you have so many variables and judges!' said Mat.

'The volunteers on the water take it so seriously and treat every event as though it was a world championship. They give up so much of their time and ask for so little in return.

'It there are no volunteers then there is no club racing meaning it would be impossible to more forward.

'The organisation on the day was fantastic – there is more structure to their planning then there is for ours!' laughed Mat.

'I had a great day volunteering for RQYS and really can’t wait to be able to come again and assist. It was a lot of fun.

David who is the chief mark layer for RQYS every week said that he learnt more from Mat in one afternoon then he could have imagined.

'It was obvious of the natural talent Mat has. He just looked at the gate marks and was able to tell they were in the wrong place. I got out my equipment, just to back up his claim! We had a lot of fun and I learnt a lot from his knowledge. He will be more than welcomed back in the future,' said David.

Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron is currently hosting the ISAF Grade 2 Regatta Sail Brisbane.