Each year the AFL recognises volunteers/administrators for their outstanding contribution to Australian Football through the State/Territory Volunteer of the Year program and by providing AFL Merit Awards.
Last year we expanded on these initiatives by introducing a National Multicultural Ambassador of the Year winner.
2017 AFL State/Territory Volunteer of the Year Winners
Each State and Territory selects a State/Territory Volunteer of the Year award winner who receives:
2 x tickets to the Toyota AFL Grand Final (with flights and accommodation
The opportunity to walk in the Toyota AFL Grand Final Parade
|
STATE / TERRITORY |
NOMINEES |
PRIMARY CLUB / LEAGUE / REGION |
|
NSW/ACT |
Chris Lear |
Wyong Lakes Australian Football Club |
|
NT |
Alex Bisset |
Sharks Football Club |
|
QLD |
David Bartlett |
Western Magpies Australian Football Club |
|
SA |
Craig Tunkin |
Millicent Football Club |
|
TAS |
Brett Sweeney |
Launceston Football Club |
|
VIC |
Lou Ioan |
Doncaster Junior Football Club |
|
WA |
Tom Busher |
South West Regional Football Development Council |
2017 Volunteer of the Year Winners
NSW/ACT - Chris Lear
Chris Lear is the Junior Operations Manager at Wyong Lakes Australian Football Club and was instrumental in establishing two youth girls teams for the club this season and also a junior leadership group which meets with the senior leadership group who provide mentoring and positive role models and a conduit for feedback to the Committee.
NT - Alex Bisset
Alex has provided 21 years of service to community football in NT and was a founding member of the local Sharks Football Club where he served as President for 10 years. Alex was also a sports trainer for the inaugural AFLW Adelaide Crows team and was with them at their grand final victory. He is also a sports trainer for NT Thunder for the past 7 years and also volunteers as a massage therapist for the players.
QLD - David Bartlett
David has been a tireless volunteer for the Western Magpies Australian Football Club since arriving back in 1983. Some of the tasks that David does for the club are but not limited to: looks after the grounds and all surrounds, pulling weeds, painting seats, dressing rooms, cleaning player and umpire rooms post training and game days, organizes and runs BBQ's to raise funds for player awards, organizes club working bees, assists junior training and has purchased fitness equipment for players to utilize.
SA - Craig Tunkin
Craig has provided 18 years of continual service to the Millicent Football Club and is currently still on the Committee. Roles in his previous years have included League Committee Member, Junior Competition Council, Coach, Team manager, Auskick Coordinator, Runner, Timekeeper, Umpire, Club Equipment Coordinator and Clubs Grounds Manager.
TAS - Brett Sweeney
Brett has provided 10 years of service to Launceston Football Club and his involvement in Community Football has included:
• Introducing a Youth Girls Competition in the Nth and becoming Launceston FC’s Coach
• Co-ordinates half time Auskick activations at all AFL games in Launceston
• Auskick Co-ordinator at Northern Bombers & Schools Football Competition Manager
• Has also been involved in the Tasmanian Women’s League competition since its inception 2007/2008, both as a Coach and Volunteer.
VIC - Lou Loan
Lou has been a very diligent and hardworking volunteer who started coordinating and coaching two Auskick clinics in 2006, at the time he had two sons in the clinic. He continued doing that through to 2012 even after his boys moved on to play in a junior side. In the years of 2011 to 2013 he also coached his sons team from under 10 to under 12 and was an active committee member. He also took on the groundsman role every Sunday morning setting up and marking lines, cleaning club rooms and setup for the match day. The days Lou serves as Vice President at the Club but also still performs the Merchandise and Groundsman role.
WA - Tom Bushner
Tom has served the Football community of South West Regional Football Development Council for the last 17 years across a variety roles. He personally raised $300,000 by himself to fund a full time Development Officer for the region. He worked tirelessly to raise the amount needed from corporate sponsors as well as private donors and the result has meant that participation numbers in the region across both Community Football & Auskick have risen significantly.