Photo: Courier Mail
West Juniors coach Keith Wallis OAM has been honoured for his contribution to community footy this weekend, with a celebration to mark his 1000th game of coaching.
Known as “Happy” to the football community, Keith started his football journey in the Western Districts as a junior.
Part of the well-known Wallis football family, he is an AFLQ Hall of Fame member along with one of his brothers, Noel.
Wallis has coached for the West Juniors since 1970 and his two sons have also played with the club.
A forbearer in Queensland coaching, Wallis was one of the first to be accredited as a Level III coach in 1985 which is indicative of high performance.
In 1993 he was honoured with an Order of Australia Medal for services to Australian football coaching and was further recognised in 2000 for his excellence in the Australian sports community with the Australian Sports Medal.
AFL Queensland honoured him by naming the U18 Division 1 best and fairest medal, the “Keith Wallis Medal”.
AFL Queensland CEO Dean Warren is full of praise for Keith’s contribution to the game.
“Happy is a true servant of our game, his contribution to the football community is unparalleled. He is an icon of junior football in Queensland,” Warren said.
“Happy” celebrated 1,000 games as coach at Wests Juniors Australian Football Club at Toowong in Brisbane this weekend, in a rare feat that caught the attention of many, including AFL boss Gill McLachlan. The milestone was celebrated by the Gill and representatives from the AFL Executive, AFL Queensland and the Brisbane Lions.
Happy’s remarkable legacy has been recognised nationally, featuring on prime news, mainstream breakfast TV, radio and a feature in the Courier Mail.
Congratulations Happy on your outstanding legacy and contribution to AFL in Queensland!
