National Volunteers Week (18-24 May 2026) is a time to recognise the people who keep sport running behind the scenes, the ones who organise, support and show up time and time again. For water polo in Australia, volunteers are at the heart of every club, every competition and every athlete’s journey.
For Heidi Davis, volunteering began with a simple desire to support her daughter, and quickly grew into a meaningful role within the sport.
Davis has been involved in water polo for the past two and a half years, following her daughter’s journey representing South Australia and playing for the Henley Sharks. Like many parents, stepping into a volunteer role felt like a natural extension of being part of the team.
“My daughter’s been playing for two and a half years for South Australia and for the Henley Sharks,” Davis said.
“So being her parent, I always think that it’s a good idea to get involved with your club and help out wherever is needed.”
Volunteering in water polo can be demanding, particularly during major competitions like the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships where the stakes and the schedules are high. For Davis, those moments highlight just how important support roles are.
“You’ve got your team that you need to look after, make sure that everyone’s going okay,” she said.
“It’s a big week for the girls, so it’s all about looking after their welfare, making sure that they have everything that they need, so that when they’re in the pool, they can do the best job that they can.”
As a team manager, Davis plays a crucial role in ensuring everything runs smoothly outside the pool. From logistics to player wellbeing, her work allows athletes and coaches to focus on performance.
“As team manager, I’m here to make sure that the girls have all of their equipment and that they’re ready to play, that all of their accommodation, food and water needs are looked after,” she said.
“So anything outside of the pool, anything outside of coaching, we look after as team managers, just to make sure that the girls are ready to go on a day-to-day basis, and they can get in the pool fit and strong.”
Davis believes volunteers are essential not just in water polo, but across all community sports, and that sharing the load is key to keeping clubs thriving.
“Volunteers are extremely important across any community organisation, but particularly for water polo,” she said.
“The more hands that we can get helping out around clubs and our competitions, the easier it is for everyone, and we don’t overload the same people every single time.”
Beyond the practical support, volunteering offers something deeper – connection. For those new to the sport, it can open the door to understanding and belonging.
“It gets you connected with the sport, particularly if you’re not from a water polo background,” Davis said.
“It gives you an insight into what’s happening with the sport, what are the challenges, and what your clubs and state organisations actually need.
“It connects you with the girls and boys and it’s a way of feeling included and supporting the community.”
As National Volunteers Week celebrates the contribution of volunteers across the country, Davis encourages others to step forward and get involved.
“It’s a really good idea to be involved in your club and in your state competition,” she said.
“As I said, many hands make light work. So get involved, enjoy the sport, it’s a great community atmosphere, and something people can be proud of.”
Stories like Davis’s are a reminder that while athletes may take centre stage, it’s the volunteers behind them who make the game possible.
