Tony Wynne’s Volunteering Journey

It’s Volunteers’ Week this week, running from 1-7 June, which gives Welsh Boxing the perfect opportunity to celebrate and recognise the invaluable contribution of the volunteering community. 

Without volunteers, it would not be possible to see such brilliant events and competitions happen throughout our four regional divisions or on a national level. 

Volunteers are the backbone of our sport, allowing us to showcase and promote the fantastic talent that exists among amateur boxing in Wales.  

Tony Wynne is just one of these excellent volunteers, and has given his time to support boxing events across Wales and beyond for decades. 

“I’m the club president at Rhondda ABC, having boxed for the club for many years until 1969,” Tony told Welsh Boxing, “and then I became a volunteer, starting to referee upon retirement from boxing. So now I referee, judge and I’m a tournament supervisor.” 

Tony has been involved in a variety of exceptional experiences courtesy of his regular volunteering work in the boxing community. 

“Through volunteering,” he said, “I’ve travelled the world as far as New Zealand. I’ve visited something like 49 countries, which I probably would not have done without volunteering. 

“I’ve met many personalities and stars from many different sports - having attended three Commonwealth Games and worked at European Championships, World Championships and Olympic qualifying events among others – which I would not have done had I not been a volunteer! 

“There’s also definitely a sense of camaraderie in this sort of network you get into,” he continued. “I meet up with referees and judges from all different countries, I’ve made many friends in different parts of the world, and I’m still in contact with these old friends – and I’ve been refereeing for 53 years.” 

Not only does volunteering give so much back to the sport, but it’s hugely beneficial for people on a personal and individual level. 

“It’s a difficult job to find volunteers, but I’d highly recommend it because it is so worth it,” Tony went on. “When I go on these trips abroad and go to these major tournaments, I think to myself that all the time I’ve given to boxing has been worth it. 

“Volunteers make so many friends, they meet so many stars of sport; they have to climb up the ladder and get qualifications, of course, but anyone who gets into amateur boxing has the chance to do all that I’ve done!”