Heidi Vanderlem recognised as the National Volunteer of the Year

Heidi’s pathway into cricket began not through a sporting background, but through her family. 

“I didn’t grow up in sport. I came from theatre, which is a very different world,” she explains. “Cricket came into my life through my kids.” 

When her middle son started playing under‑8s cricket, Heidi became team manager while her partner coached. What began as helping where needed quickly evolved into deeper involvement as she built relationships with parents and gained insight into how clubs operate. 

“It was about connection,” Heidi says. “I built friendships with parents, and using what I had professionally to help out felt like a natural progression. We are all driving in the same direction, wanting kids to enjoy the game and do their best.” 

Heidi moved into committee roles and later the Junior Secretary position, where she streamlined systems that were previously inconsistent and time‑consuming. She introduced clearer policies around age exemptions, improved registration processes, and strengthened communication between the association, clubs, coaches and families. 

“For me, transparency is critical,” she says. “People deserve to understand what is happening, why it is happening, and how it affects them.” 

By ensuring consistent information flowed from association to club, Heidi reduced confusion and helped volunteers feel supported. Her approach has been deliberately inclusive, whether supporting families whose first language is not English, adapting communication styles for different age groups, or making herself a clear point of contact. 

“When parents understand the reasoning behind decisions, they feel included, and that makes a big difference in whether they are willing to stay involved and volunteer.” She said. 

Heidi says her leadership style has been shaped by her experience in community cricket as much as any professional environment. 

“Everyone is different,” she reflects. “Leadership is not about making people fit into one mould. It is about understanding strengths and motivations, and working with that.” 

That perspective has also been valuable following the merger of junior and senior associations. Heidi contributed to governance work that focused on documentation, structure and long‑term sustainability. 

Her commitment to junior cricket deepened further through her daughter’s involvement in the game. 

“She was the only girl in her first season,” Heidi recalls. “She was confident, but there are so many girls who aren’t, and I probably would have been one of them.” 

At just ten years old, her daughter was selected into an under‑13 representative squad. Heidi remembers the way teammates welcomed her and created a safe, encouraging environment. 

“They lifted her up and made that experience really special,” she says. 

Those experiences reinforced the importance of representation beyond the field. 

“You need to see it to believe it,” Heidi says. “If there are very few women in leadership roles, it’s harder for others to imagine themselves there.” 

Previously involved in the national Project Inspire program, Heidi experienced first‑hand both the value of structured leadership development and the gaps that exist at community level. Building on that, she is now developing and leading her own leadership program to support more women into committee and governance roles through mentoring and clearer pathways. 

“If people feel prepared, they feel more confident stepping into roles,” she says. “I want women to feel supported before they walk into those spaces, not like they have to figure everything out alone.” 

Her work also reflects the reality of modern volunteering. Recognising limited time and competing commitments, Heidi has introduced micro‑volunteer models, flexible roles and purposeful sub‑committees to make contributing more manageable and meaningful. 

“I like building things,” she says. “Seeing an idea turn into something real that benefits kids and families makes it worthwhile.” 

That commitment has now been recognised nationally through her Volunteer of the Year award, celebrating the impact she continues to have across junior and community cricket. 

Looking ahead, Heidi hopes to see more opportunities for girls as they move through their teenage years and into senior cricket. She also wants to see community cricket continue to focus on participation, connection and growth. 

For her own future, the commitment remains clear. 

“I will always be a volunteer,” she says. “In what role, I am not sure, but I will always be involved and adding value where I can.” 

Through her leadership, Heidi Vanderlem continues to strengthen cricket environments where people feel supported, systems feel clear, and young players are given every chance to thrive.