Volleyball WA’s Participation and Development Manager Karen Wickham has recently been profiled in the City of Vincent’s Women in Sport series. Volleyball WA would like to congratulate Karen on this outstanding recognition and for her ongoing contribution to the sport.
‘When Karen moved to WA in early 2015 from Trinidad and Tobago she was looking for a position in the sport industry for a few months and an opportunity came up for a volunteer Operations Assistant position at Volleyball WA. Karen volunteered for approximately two months one to two days a week while job hunting. Fortunately, a full time position came up in July for a Diversity and Participation Coordinator and she got the job! Two years later Karen has been promoted to Participation and Development Manager at Volleyball WA.
Karen played soccer and swam most of her life. She plays some recreation volleyball when the opportunity arises and she loves spectating as volleyball is really exciting to watch.
To increase her knowledge of the sport, Karen has done volleyball coaching courses and has coached some volleyball in the past at primary schools and community clinics.
When Karen isn’t coaching, playing or volunteering she is usually exploring WA or catching up with friends.
Karen believes that volleyball is excellent for fun, safe exercise. It does not require too much to get a game going with friends and now Volleyball WA has made it even easier for WA to get involved in the sport with our Discover Volleyball initiative. Volleyball is a world sport and she has seen firsthand how it can bring communities together in WA.
Robyn Kuhl, CEO of Volleyball WA is a big inspiration to Karen. Robyn has been in the sport industry for a long time and someone from whom Karen has learnt a lot in her years at Volleyball WA. Robyn believed in Karen’s abilities when she even doubted herself. Robyn is a champion of change for gender diversity in sport.
Her proudest sporting memory was watching Volleyball WA’s Afghan Female community volleyball group play in the annual Alcohol. Think Again Country of Origin only 5 months after learning to play volleyball together!
To encourage more women and girls to play, volunteer or coach sport Karen believe that’s annual community sports day for women and girls are key – it could be an event where sporting clubs in the city that offer programs for females can come and promote their programs and run “Have a Go” activities to get them engaged.’
Photo Credit: City of Vincent