The winning head coach of Saturday’s 2022 TIO CAFL Senior Men’s Grand Final will be presented with the Michael Costello Medal, named in honour of the late AFLNT Life Member Michael Joseph Costello for his outstanding service to Pioneer Football Club and the wider Central Australian football community.
A regular goal-scorer and multiple premiership player of Arrernte descent, Costello’s decorated footballing career and his key role in the inception of the Central Australian Football League compelled AFLNT to make the decision to name the medal in his honour.
As a youth Costello had been sent to Rostrevor College in Adelaide where he played football, and at 18 years old Costello joined the Second World War where he served in the RAAF in England, Italy, Gibraltar, and the Middle East
Michael, alongside his father Joe, were among the group of business men and women who attended the first general meeting at Buffalo Hall on 17th July 1947. This historic meeting culminated in the newly formed Central Australian Football Association, and is still thriving 75 years on.
In 1946, several matches were played between (PMG) Post Office and Railways with Michael playing for the Post Office team. When the formation of the Central Australian Football Association was formed in 1947, it was decided a third team be included. The Association suggested the names Rovers and Federals and wanted Mick’s team be called Centralia (formerly Town) or South Alice however this was not agreed to. Joe and Michael Costello together with Willie Cole Snr, Baldy Thomas, Nuggett Kopp, and Dick Ward the Patron requested the Australian colours green and gold and the name Pioneers. Mick was then appointed the first Captain/Coach for Pioneer Football Club.
Joseph Costello (father of Michael Costello) was a white businessman. He backed the plan contributing financial support which included buying the club’s green with a large gold V jumpers from Adelaide.
Costello’s grandson Travis Anders will be coaching Pioneer in the Macdonnell Regional Council Under 18 Junior Men Grand Final and his great grandson Nelson Anders will co-captaining the same side.
