For National Volunteers Week (18-24 May 2026), we are thrilled to highlight some of the amazing volunteers who dedicate their time to supporting our Water Polo community.
Natalie Gray, from the Gungahlin Dragons in the ACT, has been a passionate volunteer in the local water polo community for many years. From helping out with both her sons’ teams and volunteering as a team manager, to organising four teams to attend the 2026 Australian Youth Water Polo Championships (AYC). Gray has become a driving force behind opportunities for young athletes at the club and the broader region in Canberra.
The family’s journey into water polo began when her eldest son was nine years old. After seeing a poster of someone playing water polo, he was immediately interested. That one poster launched the family into the sport, with two of her sons now playing.
Gray has worn many volunteering hats over the years, including literally organising team caps, but says her favourite part is creating opportunities for Canberra players to attend competitions they may not otherwise have been able to experience.
“My youngest son, who is thirteen, we were organising a team for him to go to the AYC, and one of the parents asked ‘How do we get the girls to go too?’ and I thought, ‘Okay, well, I know how to do it.’ So, I put four teams together and it took off from there.” Gray said.
“Getting all these players, the opportunity is what I really like to do. A lot of those kids would never have gotten that opportunity otherwise.”
Last year, Gray led the parent committee that helped send the ACT representative Under 13 Development teams to Tasmania to compete, and she is excited to help and support the teams in going again this year.
“I really enjoy giving these kids the opportunity to go, to develop, to enjoy the love of the sport.”
While creating opportunities for young water polo players in the ACT is a major highlight for Gray, she also enjoys the day-to-day roles that come with volunteering. From team managing and organising team kits and sponsorships, to helping at events. Last year at Nationals, Gray also volunteered her time as a pool controller.
“It just gives more people more opportunities. And the thing is, if we don’t as parents stand up and do all these things for our children, then none of our children will have these opportunities,” said Gray.
Volunteers like Gray continue to play a vital role in growing our sport at a grassroots level, helping to create opportunities, experiences and lifelong memories for our junior members all the way through to our senior players.
