AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou announced that AFL Northern Territory Chairman Bob Elix is the recipient of the prestigious Jack Titus Award for 2009.
The Jack Titus Award is in recognition of outstanding service to football, with only one worthy person being recognised throughout the country each year.
"A player, a coach, an umpire and an administrator, Bob has been involved in all aspects of the game through his extended involvement with football," said AFL NT CEO Tony Frawley.
Bob had five seasons in first grade with Port Adelaide in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) from 1964 to 1969 and was a proud member of the 1965 premiership team at the ripe age of 19.
He then moved to Darwin where he became involved with the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL), an association that has lasted for nearly 40 years.
Bob has helped football progress in the Northern Territory, taking it from a fledgling sport to one that is now the dominant code in the Northern Territory. Over 10% of the population now participate in some form of organised Australian Rules Football.
"Through Bob’s leadership AFL is not just a sport, it is a lifestyle, and a tool where by AFLNT is addressing the various social and health issues that affect Territorians," said Frawley.
Bob began his association with the NTFL by becoming Captain/Coach of the Darwin Football Club for 1970/71 season. The following year he went on to coach Waratah Football Club from 1971 to 1973 and to a premiership in 1976/77.
Bob then took this coaching expertise to Nightcliff Football Club where he coached from 1977 to 1981. He was also President of Nightcliff Football Club in 1978-79 taking the club from strength to strength.
Not satisfied with just the commitment of coaching and being a club president, Bob also became an NTFL umpire during the years of 1979 to 1981.
In 1979 Bob coached the Northern Territory representative team in Division Two of the National Football Championship Carnival. This was a strong commendation to his coaching prowess and commitment to the game.
In 1990 Bob started coaching University Football Club in the Northern Territory Football Association (NTFA) where he stayed on coaching for another five years.
After he had finished coaching, Bob continued on supporting the club with his expertise by becoming President and giving the club a strong standing to take them into the future.
Bob was elected to the NTFL Board in 1998 and became Chairman in 2000, a position he continues to hold today.
"During Bob’s time on the Board we have seen many changes and much growth of the game in the Northern Territory," explained Frawley, "he can be credited for much of where AFL has come in the NT, especially over the last five years, where we have seen enormous growth in our operational and participation bases," explained Frawley.
When Bob first joined the NTFL Inc. Board in 1998, the NTFL was in a dire financial situation. Due to a number of reasons, NTFL Inc. was losing money and unable to make ends meet.
Bob was instrumental in seeking out the then AFL CEO Wayne Jackson to help with financial crisis. Out of this AFLNT was born to look after football right across the Territory.
This was an extremely difficult period for the organisation with a number of significant and tough changes needed in order to turn things around. Through Bob’s leadership, these changes were made, to a point where AFLNT is now financially secure.
What started as a team of four full time employees is now an organisation with 34 full time employees, based in Darwin, Alice Springs, Wadeye, Groote Eylandt, Gove, Katherine, Elcho Island, Tiwi Islands and Tennant Creek.
"He has taken football to the far regions of the Northern Territory, something not seen previously but desperately needed to provide hope, inspiration and more importantly opportunity for aspiring players," said Frawley.
Elix was also instrumental in the formation of the Northern Territory Football Club (NTFC), which has already had a profound impact on Territory football.
The NT Thunder is the last piece to the structure of football in the NT on the pathway to the AFL. It has proven this by already doubling draftee numbers in the AFL from the NT.
"Bob’s dedication and commitment toward AFL in the Northern Territory is unsurpassed, the results speak for themselves," said Frawley.