At Howick-Pakuranga Chess Club, our volunteers are the heart of our community. This year, we were delighted to welcome back former club member Oliver Zhou, a Year 11 student at Macleans College, who generously volunteered his time during Terms 2 and 3.
With aspirations of becoming a chess arbiter, Oliver gained valuable experience helping manage our Junior Hour player registrations and pairings using the club’s legacy software, while we prepared to transition to the Club Ladder system.
Along the way, Oliver achieved a special milestone — registering the 1,000th Junior Hour player into our legacy pairing system! He also spent time playing chess with our younger members, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for the game.
At his final session, junior players wrote heartfelt farewell messages, and Oliver received a Certificate of Appreciation from Tony Booth, who has dedicated over 50 years of involvement and volunteer service to the club.
It was a wonderful moment connecting two generations of volunteers, both giving back to the chess community.
Thank you, Oliver, for your time, enthusiasm and contribution!
Oliver’s story reminds us that volunteering is not only about giving back, but also about learning new skills, building friendships and making a difference.
Inspired to give back? Whether you’re a current or former member, parent or chess enthusiast, there are many ways to contribute. Even a little of your time can make a big difference to our club and the next generation of chess players.
