National Volunteers Week (18-24 May 2026) is a chance to celebrate the people who give their time, energy and passion to keep sport thriving at every level. Across water polo in Australia, volunteers are the backbone of clubs and communities, helping athletes grow both in and out of the pool.
For Central Coast volunteer Matthew Allen, water polo has been part of his life for almost four decades, and his passion for the sport remains as strong as ever.
Allen first discovered water polo in 1986 while attending Wyong High School, after being introduced to the sport by respected figure Dave ‘Parko’ Parkinson.
“I began in 1986 at Wyong High School after a legend of the sport Dave ‘Parko’ Parkinson got me involved,” Allen said.
“Parko is no longer with us but my passion for the sport has remained for 40 years and is not likely to go away anytime soon.”
From his early days in the sport, Wyong Water Polo Club became central to Allen’s water polo journey.
“I may have dabbled in a few other clubs over the years, but I am and always will be a Wyong Water Rat,” he said.
Over the years, Allen has taken on a variety of volunteer roles, but coaching remains the one closest to his heart.
“Undoubtedly my favourite role is to coach,” he said.
“Seeing that lightbulb go on in a player when they pull off a move or a tactic they have been working on is incredibly satisfying.
“Now that I am officially a very old and slow water polo player, it also allows me to live vicariously through my athletes, experiencing the joy of a win, the heartbreak of a loss and the determination to always strive to improve.”
While coaching has been his favourite role, Allen said one of his proudest achievements has come as the Central Coast Water Polo Representative Coordinator.
In just two and a half years, the region’s representative program has experienced remarkable growth, expanding from three Central Coast teams in the 2023/24 winter season to 11 teams in 2026.
“Not only that, but we have medalled in all of the major competitions and tournaments across almost all age groups this season,” Allen said.
“The fact that our local kids no longer have to make the three-hour round trip to Sydney multiple times per week to play at the highest level and achieve their goals is something that I have worked incredibly hard to achieve and really felt like my contribution has made a difference.”
Allen believes community support has been crucial to that growth and success, with more families and volunteers stepping forward each season.
“When I took on the role of the Central Coast Representative Coordinator, I had to do almost everything myself in the first year,” he said.
“Slowly but surely more and more parents came on board to help. We now have more than 40 members across coaches, managers, subcommittee and admin that contribute to the success and future growth of our club.”
For anyone considering getting involved at their local club, Allen’s advice is simple.
“Just dive in. Local water polo clubs are 30 per cent sport and 70 per cent characters, there will be laughs, dramas, highs and lows.
“In the end though, every volunteer that contributes something to the greatest sport in the world and gets our kids off their devices and into the pool is making a ripple that becomes a wave for the whole community.”
As National Volunteers Week shines a light on volunteers across the country, stories like Allen’s highlight the enormous impact volunteers have in shaping opportunities, building communities and ensuring the future of water polo continues to grow.
