Norberry-Glenlee Community Centre needs to fill three top sports positions to help maintain programming and ease the burden on overstretched volunteers.

The board positions of summer sports director and winter sports director and the executive role of first vice-president all are all currently vacant.

Sean Fedorowich, the centre’s new president and a five-year board member, said it’s time more community members stepped up and volunteered their time, particularly as sports programs are the organization’s lifeblood.

"It’s worrying that all three sports positions on the board are vacant because sports are the heart of the community centre," said Fedorowich, whose son and daughter have both played soccer at the club since 2005 and 2008, respectively.

"We want to provide the best possible programs and that’s what athletes and parents expect from us. If we can’t do that, it’s our kids that will suffer."

Fedorowich, the co-ordinator for Winnipeg Citizen Advocacy, said all the centre’s sports programs are currently running and that cutting them would be an absolute last resort, but more help is needed as convenors, coaches and board members "already have a lot on their plate."

Fedorowich knows the challenges of volunteering on top of a busy schedule — noting how many individuals eventually feel burnt-out — but stressed that "renewal is good. Fresh ideas and enthusiasm are good."

"It’s a challenge to keep people. I’ve been there myself. We have fantastic volunteers, but some have stayed on longer than they wanted because they’ve felt it’s important to keep programs running," he said, noting NGCC serves approximately 25,000 households, making it one of the largest catchment areas in the city.

"I think people often believe volunteering will take time away from their lives. It doesn’t — it adds to it."

"We need good, community-minded people with common sense, a bit of enthusiasm and a desire to make their neighbourhoods a better place. My family is very connected to the community, because we’re connected to our community centre," he added.

Fedorowich’s wife, Maria, has coached soccer at the centre since 2007 and feels fortunate she has always worked with a convenor.

"As a coach with experience in administration of the sport, I know what to expect each season. However, if I was new to coaching, I would be lost without the help and advice from the convenor," said Maria, a flight service specialist with Nav Canada.

"People need to be active an active participant in their community, whether it is the community club, your local school or church. We need to stop relying on a few people to do everything," she said.

"When we stop being an active member within our community, then we stop functioning as a society."

For more information about the positions, visit www.norberry-glenlee.ca or email n.g.c.c@mts.net.

simon.fuller@canstarnews.com