Fifteen local football volunteers have been rewarded for their dedication and commitment to the game via the inaugural Quest Newspapers Australian Football Volunteer of the Year Award.
Thursday, 11 August, 2010
Fifteen local football volunteers have been rewarded for their dedication and commitment to the game via the inaugural Quest Newspapers Australian Football Volunteer of the Year Award.
They were recognised at a function recently at the Pineapple Hotel, hosted by AFLQ chief executive Richard Griffith and attended by Lions assistant-coach Craig McRae, and Lions players Josh Drummond, Brendan Fevola and Troy Selwood.
The 15 regional winners, one each from Quest distribution areas of south-east Queensland, will now go through to the final where one devoted football volunteer will be crowned the overall winner.
This will be done at the state-wide AFL Queensland Coach and Volunteer Awards night, to be held at Royal on the Park in Brisbane in November,
James Flaherty, Marketing Manager at Quest Community Newspapers, told the presentation dinner of the excellent fit between the sponsors and the awards concept because of the “unique sense of community that is fostered at all levels of the game”.
“Volunteers are the unsung champions of Australian sport. Without people freely giving their time and commitment to clubs, codes could not survive, young people would not get involved in the game and our communities would not be such rich breeding grounds for sporting excellence,” he said.
“Tonight is the culmination of AFL Queensland’s idea to celebrate the champion volunteers who make Australian Football thrive in our communities. On behalf of Quest I would like to acknowledge all of tonight’s champions and thank you for your outstanding support of Australia’s game.”
Each of the Lions players, too, spoke glowingly of the contribution of volunteers at their footy clubs right through their career, and in particular the role their parents made.
The 15 winners were:-
Robyn Tozer – Caboolture Shire Herald – Bribie Island JAFC
Robyn is the secretary at the Bribie Island JAFC. She is in her third year as a committee member and has had a significant influence on the culture of the club, making it more friendly and enjoyable. Behind the scenes, Robyn has put in many hours working on grants for the club, ordering uniforms and the running of day to day activities that keep the football club alive. Robyn has also been successful in getting a $700,000 grant to build a new club house and rooms.
Ray White – Redcliffe & Bayside Herald – Redcliffe Tigers AFC
Ray has been a stalwart of the club for over 35 years and is the most respected and valued volunteer at the Redcliffe Tigers AFC. Ray has held many executive board positions over the years and is currently Club Treasurer. As well as playing for the club in the mid 70’s and early 80’s, he has also lent his hand in coaching both junior and senior teams. On match days Ray can be seen walking around the ground selling raffle tickets, being an official time keeper or goal umpiring.
Jenny Clifford – Pine Rivers Press – Pine Rivers Swans AFC
Jenny has worked in the canteen of the Pine Rivers Swans AFC for over twenty years. Although her own boys have grown up, she continues to operate the canteen in a senior position every weekend. Her contribution, reliability and level of commitment to the club are appreciated and valued by all club members.
Vera Fitzgerald – Northside Chronicle – Zillmere Eagles JAFC
Vera is the President of the Zillmere Eagles JAFC. Having quit her own job to concentrate full time on running the club, Vera organizes everything and is available at all hours for every person at the club. She also has a hand in running the canteen and often misses her own children’s games as she is busy helping everyone else.
Val Scott – City North News – Kedron JAFC
For many years Val has been working tirelessly in the canteen at the Kedron JAFC. Although Val has no kids at the club anymore, she is there every day to operate the canteen for both training and games. Val picks up all the groceries and products for the canteen and without her, it simply wouldn’t exist. She also organizes all the team photos and trophies for the kids.
Chris Martin – North West News – Everton Districts AFC
As Club President, Chris devotes his life to the Everton Districts FC. He is always around the grounds, whether it be marking the fields, helping in the canteen or taking the Auskick kids. Chris spends hours and hours of time at the club, helping anyone who needs it and coordinating basically everything.
Jenni Fozard – Westside News – Western Magpies AFC
Jenni is the volunteer Medical Coordinator at the Western Magpies AFC. She is a qualified physiotherapist and has been involved with the club for over 12 years. She has volunteered her sports training and physiotherapy to the club and in her current role is responsible for the stocktaking, ordering and management of the clubs vital medical supplies and strapping tape. Furthermore, Jenni organizes rosters, coordinates with the coaching staff about the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of players, and ensure all the required equipment is transported to and from away games.
Andrew Hopper – South East Advertiser – Carindale Cougars AFC
Andrew has been an amazing ambassador for the Carindale Cougars over the last 8 years, undertaking the roles of Manager, Umpire and Mentor. For the past 5 years Andrew has been President and has generously given a lot of time and commitment to the Club.
James Harris – Wynnum Herald – Wynnum AFC
James is the President of the Wynnum AFC. Alongside these duties, James works tirelessly for the club in all aspects. From marking the ground to running the bar on match days and even selling raffle tickets, he is constantly supporting the club through his evidential ongoing commitment.
Lynden Falcke – City South News – Yeronga JAFC
Lynden is the President of the Yeronga Juniors. With a lack of parents on the committee, Lynden takes on a lot of extra roles and responsibilities within the club. He seeks no personal gain and is very much focused on developing a positive club environment. In 2010 Yeronga JAFC moved to a temporary location in which Lynden played a very large role.
Ivan De Le Rue – South West News – Jindalee JAFC
Ivan is the groundskeeper and U16’s coach of the Jindalee JAFC. He ensures the ground is at its best at all times, whether its mowing twice weekly or going to the ground at 8pm every night to ensure the sprinklers are working and the club is in order. Ivan also goes to the Jindalee Hotel each Friday night to sell raffle tickets to raise funds for the club.
Peter Jamieson – Southern Star – Mt Gravatt AFC
Peter is the Football Manager at the Mt Gravatt AFC. With an attitude of ‘do it yourself’, Peter has a hand in running the bbq, canteen and merchandise stand, as well as football admin including match, team and uniform organization, interstate travel itineraries, functions, player welfare, player awards, cleaning rooms, contracts and resignations, the raffle, the cameraman and washing jumpers. With three of his own boys playing in the senior team, he strives to create a great environment for the whole club.
Debbie Griffiths – Albert & Logan News – Rochdale Ravens JAFC
Debbie has contributed enormously to the formation of the Rochdale Ravens JAFC in their inaugural year as a club. With no prior experience, Deb willingly accepted the Secretary role on the executive committee and has been the backbone of the club. She contributes in a number of ways from coordinating volunteers on game day to writing the newsletter every week.
Les Matherson – Logan West Leader – Logan City AFC
Les is the team manager of the Logan AFC, as well as the club registrar. Alongside these duties, Les ensures everything is organized around the club, including marking the ground before all games and cleaning up at the end. He is also constantly seen serving behind the bar. Les is an invaluable member of the club.
Neil Crawley – Ipswich News – Ipswich Cats JAFC
Neil is in his first year of Head Coordinator at Ipswich Cats and in doing so has helped the club in becoming a more professional, organized and welcoming club to be involved in. He has contributed his personal time to the NAB AFL Auskick at Ipswich, recreating the program and involving over 60 participants. Neil also coordinated a club Gala night, which resulted in the recruitment of up to 15 players for the U8, 9 and 10’s.
