AFLNT held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Monday evening which saw new Life Members inducted and new Directors appointed.
Current TIO NTFL Women’s Premier League players Bianca Stokes (Darwin Buffettes), Amy Chittick (PINT), Lauren O’Shea (Waratah) and Breanna Martin (Waratah) were endorsed for Player Life Memberships.
Jarrod Stokes (Darwin Buffaloes), Shaun Wilson (Nightcliff), Henry Labastida (St Mary’s) and Jarred Erlandson (Wanderers) were endorsed as current TIO NTFL Men’s Premier League platers to receive Life Membership.
To be eligible, past or present players must exceed playing in 150 Women’s Premier league or 200 Men’s games Premier League, NT Thunder or representative team to be endorsed.
As per AFLNT’s constitution, up to two Honorary Life Membership can be awarded each year. For outstanding service to football in the Northern Territory, Grey Morris and Ross Coburn were endorsed for Honorary Life Memberships based on their contribution to the game.
For 27 years Grey Morris filled the sports section of the NT News newspaper and often featured on the front page with the stories of Territory football. Morris was made a Life Member due to the outstanding contribution he made to the game during his time as a Journalist and Sports Editor at the NT News. Morris ensured the community had great insight into the game both locally and nationally, shining the light on our great game here in the Territory and nationally. From covering stories on NT AFL greats to NTFL legends such as to the battlers, the heroes and servants of our game, he also covered stories on the growing Women’s competitions, Central Australian Football League and the Big Rivers Football League which hold a soft spot in Morris’ heart.
Ross Coburn receives an Honorary Life Membership due to his two decades contribution as a Territory football administrator. Mr Coburn served on the AFLNT Board from 2002 until 2021, including eight years as Chairman from 2012 to 2020. During his time as Chairman, he was fundamental in establishing the Michael Long Learning and Leadership Centre and is also known for strongly backing the expansion of AFLNT’s remote programs. In addition, Coburn devoted a lot of time being an outstanding volunteer has coached Auskick coach for seven years as he continues to serve the game.
AFLNT Chairman Sean Bowden on behalf of the Board acknowledged the new life members.
“The Territory is lucky to have such great role models and leaders to look up to in our game,” he said.
“Grey Morris and Ross Coburn are people we respect for their tireless service to our community and it is a great privilege to be able to award them both Life Membership”.
“Congratulations to all the players who have received Life Membership, all of whom have served their clubs and the league with distinction and over their careers have done themselves and their families proud.”
Head of AFLNT Sam Gibson also congratulated the Life Member inductees.
“Warm congratulations to those who acknowledged for their service to NT footy by receiving AFLNT Life Membership at our AGM on 14 March 2022,” he said.
“All recipients thoroughly deserve their Life Membership, and we are looking forward to honouring and formally inducting them at an event during Darwin’s upcoming AFL games.”
In addition to Life Member endorsements, three Director appointments were made for a 3-year term:
Rob Auld – AFL Executive General Manager Game Development
Josie Douglas – General Manager, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress
Nigel Browne – CEO, Larrakia Development Corporation
Bowden announced the retirement of Andrew Dillon, David Ross and Ted Liddy.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank retiring AFLNT Directors, Andrew, David and Ted for their outstanding contribution to Territory footy and to also thank the newly appointed Directors committing their time and energy to our game,” he said.
“Andrew is the longest serving AFLNT director and will continue to be a part of our football community in his role with the AFL. Ted Liddy and David Ross are Territory legends who have provided great service and advice to AFLNT during their time on the Board and continue to play important roles in the community”.
The current composition of the AFLNT Board
Sean Bowden – Chairman
Rob Auld – Director
Nigel Browne – Director
Dianne Borella – Director
Josie Douglas – Director
Lincoln Jenkin – Director
Kathleen Cole – Director
Thomas Wilcox - Director