When Hayden Saw found out he had made the WA state volleyball team, it felt like everything he had worked for was falling into place.
“I felt full,” he said.
“I’ve made volleyball my whole life, so receiving the news that I had made the state team was very reassuring that I was continuing forward in the right direction.”
The 15-year-old Rossmoyne Senior High School student trains up to 12 hours each week. He also lifts weights, works on his strength and conditioning, and squeezes in plyometric workouts twice a week.
“It is a lot of work that you have to put in, but when you plan to go as far as I do, that amount of effort is mandatory.”
Hayden’s passion for volleyball started in Year 6. By the next year, he had joined Rossmoyne’s Specialist Volleyball Program. His mum, Kim, said he’s never looked back.
“Hayden’s passion for volleyball began in primary school,” she said. “His talent and enthusiasm quickly became evident, and by Year seven, he was selected to join the Specialist Volleyball Program at Rossmoyne Senior High School.”
Since then, Hayden has represented WA in national indoor and beach volleyball tournaments and was recently selected as a reserve athlete for the Australian U16 national team heading to Thailand.
While he’s not travelling this time, the recognition alone reflects how far he’s come.
Hayden said he always knew he would play volleyball. “I’ve got a lot of family overseas who have played volleyball professionally, and my mum played volleyball for WA when she was younger,” he said.
“I almost didn’t start in Year 7 until my good friend Jonathan told me there was nothing to lose and not to wait until next year, so I owe my success in volleyball to him.”
Although he still struggles to juggle school and sport, he admitted, “I suck at balancing this type of stuff… I almost solely focus on volleyball and enjoying my life as I’m young.”
Kim said it’s been a full family effort to support Hayden’s sporting journey. Both parents work full-time, so training and travel require constant coordination.
“There are days when he has two training sessions, so making sure he’s transported, rested, and fed between commitments is a shared responsibility,” she said.
His younger sister Robyn often cheers him on from the sidelines and has followed in his footsteps. She’s now part of the volleyball program at Rossmoyne and the U14 WA Indoor State Squad.
Volleyball has helped Hayden grow in other ways too. He’s now mentoring Year 7s in the school’s program and building strong friendships with athletes across the country.
“My state captain Levi is genuinely one of the best dudes I’ve ever met,” he said. “He puts in so much effort as a shorter outside and has really good vibes.”
When asked who inspires him, Hayden said he looks up to professional Japanese player Yuji Nishida. “He is a shorter professional volleyball player who has put in a ton of work to make a name for himself,” he said.
That determination is something his mum sees in him too.
“When he was cut from the West Australian Basketball League in Year 6, it was a difficult moment for him,” she said. “Rather than giving up, he showed maturity beyond his years by redirecting his focus to volleyball. Since then, he has gone from strength to strength.”
The family has followed him from Bendigo to Coolangatta, and Kim now volunteers as treasurer at Rossmoyne Volleyball Club and serves as team manager for the girls’ state volleyball team.
She hopes other families considering high-level school sports understand what’s involved.
“There are so many incredible benefits,” she said. “But it’s important for families to be aware that the commitment isn’t just time; it’s also financial.”
Last year alone, Hayden travelled to Victoria, Queensland, Canberra, and South Australia, with more trips still to come.
Despite the sacrifices, Kim said the rewards far outweigh the challenges.
“The life skills, friendships, confidence, and joy Hayden has gained through sport have been priceless.”
As for Hayden, he’s got one thing on his mind as the next tournament approaches.
“Getting my revenge against South Australia is my main focus,” he said. “But it’s really fun to hang out and play with the guys, so I want to enjoy myself while I’m there because these experiences only happen so often in one’s life.”
