Our sports leaders, Zach Johnson and Summer Liddell, recently profiled Hayley O’Neill in the Otago Daily Times Secondary School Sports Feature on Wednesday 6th August
“If you’re sitting there wondering if you could help out – please, just ask.
The scariest part is probably making the offer, and for me, the ‘doing/helping’ is the most rewarding part.” Hayley O’Neill
Hayley generously gives up her time to support both our students and school - and as she says, “The hardest part of volunteering is simply asking or offering.”
When we ask for parent support, you don’t have to be an expert. What we value is your presence - whether it’s helping with transport, managing a team, or supporting on the sidelines with scoring. If you're already going to the game, why not join in and help out? Please don’t leave all the work to a handful of volunteers - chances are they have other children they would also like to watch play sport.
As the winter sports season comes to an end we would like to thank you to all our volunteers - we appreciate the time and effort you give to sport at DHS and more importantly to our students.
Please take the time to read about how Hayley gives her time so generously to the school sport. Thank you, Hayley - you're a true superstar!
🙌 Hayley's Roles:
🥎 Softball
Manager of the Dunstan Boys' Tournament team (2024/25 season)
Coach of the Junior Boys' Team (2nd year)
Liaison between the Sports Department and Dunstan Softball Committee
Organised gear, uniforms, and season planning
🏑 Hockey
Junior team manager for the past two years
Member of the Dunstan Hockey Committee
🏉 Rugby
Current manager of the Intermediate team
U15 team manager, preparing for the South Island Rural Livestock U15 Tournament in Oamaru
Leading fundraising efforts for tournament
🌍 Beyond Dunstan
Manager of the Central Otago U15 boys’ Softball Team
Manager of her daughter’s U13 Girls’ Softball and Year 7 & 8 hockey teams
President of the Central Otago Softball Association
💬 Hayley’s Why:
“I’ve only ever become this involved either because there was a lack of parents willing to help – or because I genuinely wanted to support my kids and learn along the way.”
“We’re already showing up to the games, so why not be useful while we’re there? Very rarely do you hear ‘Oh no, we’ve got plenty of help!’. I hope my kids look back one day and think, *‘Man, Mum really put in the mahi for us!’”
Hayley was inspired by her family - “My parents set the tone for volunteering. Dad always coached my brother’s rugby team, and Mum used to drive my sister and I to Palmerston North multiple times a week for swimming training. They were always there, and that stuck with me.”
✅ How You Can Help:
If you’ve ever thought “maybe I could help…” - you absolutely can. It’s fine if you don’t want to coach, or know all the rules. We simply need parents who are willing to be involved.
🚗 Transport 👥 Team management 📣 Sideline support such as scoring 🏉 Assistance such as helping set up the afternoon tea and fundraising.
So next time we ask for parents to help out with a sport - please offer. You’ll be surprised how rewarding it is and the impact you’ll make.
Together, let’s continue building a strong school community. Because when we show up, our kids notice.