National Volunteer Week: Celebrating Our Student Volunteers

At Adelaide University Sport and Fitness, our volunteers do more than just lend a hand - they help others feel welcome, and help bring our events, and clubs to life! This National Volunteer Week, we’re celebrating the contributions of our student volunteers, whose passion and involvement have enriched student life on campus by assisting AU Sport in delivering events.

Dhyey Patel, a Master of Data Science student from India, began volunteering with AU Sport during O’Week 2025. As thousands of new students arrived on campus, Dhyey was there helping to organise the Sports Village and introduce people to the broad range of opportunities available through our clubs.

Reflecting on his experience so far, he shared, “I started volunteering with AU Sport at the beginning of this year, and since then I have been participating in various volunteering events for them.” For Dhyey, volunteering has been a gateway not only to campus life but to making friends and discovering new interests. He now plays socially with the Adelaide University Volleyball Club every Wednesday night - an activity that’s strengthened his experience at the University of Adelaide.

Yangyang Yin also began her volunteering journey at O’Week. Originally from China and currently studying a Master of Architecture, Yangyang had always been interested in sport and saw AU Sport as a way to get more involved with university life. She quickly found meaning in supporting others, saying, “I enjoy helping others and being part of a sporting team.”

Her time as a volunteer led her to join the Adelaide University Lawn Tennis Club, a decision that has helped her improve her skills, meet new people, and build her confidence. “I joined the university Lawn Tennis Club after volunteering. I was always interested in tennis and wanted to learn it properly,” she said. “There are regular events and even coaching sessions, which have helped me improve my skills a lot.”

For Miu Shintani, a student from Japan enrolled in Academic English, volunteering started with the Australian Pride in Sport Festival. It was her first time participating in an AU Sport event, but it left a lasting impression. “I joined the Australian Pride in Sport Festival in April. It was an invaluable experience for me. I was able to connect with many people, including those from LGBTQ communities.”

Miu has previous experience from her university in Japan, where she worked as a staff member with the soccer club, and now hopes to join the Adelaide University Soccer Club. Going along to club events sparked her interest in getting involved once again. “It’s a valuable experience for me to take part in some sports activities at Adelaide University,” she shared.

While each student has followed a unique path through their volunteering experience, all three highlight similar benefits: university community engagement, new friendships, and the chance to try something different.

Dhyey reflected, “You get to involve a lot with sports, and you tend to meet new people, and learn about different sports that you have never heard of.” Yangyang echoed that sense of connection and contribution, saying, “Volunteering gives me a meaningful way to contribute to student life, allows me to meet new people from different backgrounds, and get more involved with university life.” Miu, too, sees volunteering as more than just something to do - she sees it as part of her future. “It is beneficial for you and your future career. Most of all, I want to share the fun and joy of sports with others.”

Beyond the social and personal benefits, volunteering with AU Sport also contributes toward the University of Adelaide Graduate Award - a formal recognition of a student’s involvement in extracurricular learning and professional development. By recording their volunteering hours and reflecting on the skills gained, students become eligible to have this award noted on their academic transcript. It’s a way of demonstrating to future employers that their university experience went beyond the classroom - that they developed leadership, communication, and teamwork in real-world settings.

When asked what they’d say to other students thinking about volunteering, all three were quick to encourage it. Dhyey put it simply: “It’s a great opportunity to learn about new sports, and of course to meet new people.” Yangyang added, “I recommend volunteering. It can build your confidence and you can make friends.”

To all of our AU Sport volunteers, we say thank you. You help make sport more accessible, more inclusive, and more connected for everyone.

Interested in joining the team? Learn more about volunteering with AU Sport!