AFL Queensland recently celebrated their 2012 Volunteer of the Year Awards with a dinner ceremony in Brisbane.
The awards recognised coaches and volunteers from across the state that have made outstanding contribution to their football communities.
Awards presented on the night included coach of the year across various age divisions, club and league volunteer of the year of the year and the premier award – AFL Queensland’s overall Volunteer of the Year.
Coach of the Year was awarded in junior, youth, senior and female categories with each award recognising excellence in coaching at each level.
Junior coach of the year, Jeremy Sheldrick was given the nod based on his outstanding communication with players and commitment to coaching at this critical player development level.
Youth and Senior Coach of the Year awards were presented to Gary Flint and Ben Stanley respectively.
As female participation grows in AFL, strong female role models are becoming increasingly important.
Female Coach of the Year Janie McCullagh was presented with her award based on her exceptional leadership qualities, communication skills and knowledge of the game
Club and League Volunteer of the Year awards were also presented in both the junior and senior levels recognising outstanding commitment to a club or league.
Sharon Webb and Grant Vayro were presented with junior and senior club volunteer of the year respectively while Steve Barlow and John Hollander took home the junior and senior league volunteer of the year.
Two AFL Merit awards were also handed down at the awards dinner.
These highly prestigious awards recognise outstanding service to AFL in Queensland with recipients joining a list of less than 600 other winners since 1931.
Michael O’Donoghue (Darling Downs) and Greg Kingston (Mayne AFC) were recognised for their outstanding and ongoing commitment to football.
The two award winners have more than 45 years of service between them in AFL with roles ranging from umpire to trainer to selector to tribunal member.
The premier award of the evening, AFL Queensland Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Bundaberg junior president, Steve Barlow.
While Steve was officially recognised at the dinner, his journey as volunteer of the year was already well underway.
As part of his award, Steve and wife Tina were given tickets to the 2012 Toyota AFL Grand Final, with Steve marching in the Grand Final parade through Melbourne.
AFL Queensland Community Programs Coordinator Aaron Hall said that annual awards night was a celebration of coaching’s strong influence on club culture and the direct role of volunteering on creating a positive, family-friendly club environment.
2012 Volunteer of the Year Award Nominees and Winners:
|
Award |
Nominees |
Winner |
|
Junior Coach of the Year |
Gary Adams – Cairns |
Jeremy Sheldrick – Darling Downs |
|
Youth Coach of the Year |
Gary Flint – Cairns |
Gary Flint – Cairns |
|
Senior Coach of the Year |
Kane Richter – Cairns |
Ben Stanley – Sunshine Coast |
|
Female Coach of the Year |
Jo Butland – Cairns |
Janie McCullagh – Brisbane Juniors |
|
Junior club Volunteer of the Year |
Rod Davidson – Cairns |
Sharon Webb – Brisbane J uniors |
|
Senior Club Volunteer of the Year |
Sue Dixon – Cairns
|
Grant Vayro – Sunshine Coast |
|
Junior League Volunteer of the Year |
Podolczak Family – Cairns |
Steve Barlow – Wide Bay |
|
Senior League Volunteer of the Year |
John Hollander – Cairns |
John Hollander – Cairns |
|
AFL Merit Awards |
|
Michael O’Donoghue
|
|
AFL Queensland Volunteer of the Year |
|
|
