Off field champions recognised for their efforts

Senior Competition Volunteer of the Year James Hourigan with Rod Macpherson.

 

Volunteers are the lifeblood of footy clubs, whether they be committee members, gear stewards, goal umpires, Ground Managers, canteen helpers, water carriers, first aid officers, or any of the hundreds of volunteer jobs that are undertaken each day.

One key individual from each club was recently honoured with the acknowledgment of being their club’s Volunteer of the Year. The following were the club recipients of the award:

• James Hourigan (Grafton Tigers) – President of both Senior and Junior club, strapper, goal umpire, time keeper, canteen and bar service, BBQ cook, Ground Manager, and Team Manager.
• Craig Hundle (Northern Beaches Blues) – Secretary who was instrumental in the re-establishment of the club.
• Kirsten Burow (Coffs Harbour Breakers) – long standing Canteen Manager and fundraising champion.
• Felicity Myles (Sawtell Toormina Saints) – Secretary, Registrar, and Canteen Manager.
• Mik Rolfe (Port Macquarie Magpies) – President who has worked tirelessly to forge positive relationships with other clubs.

James Hourigan (Grafton Tigers) was deservedly awarded the AFL North Coast Senior Competition Volunteer of the Year. James goes into the mix with League winners from across NSW and the ACT for the state wide award which includes a trip for two to the AFL Grand Final in Melbourne.

Life Memberships were conveyed upon outstanding recipients Warren Bagnall and Geoff Wicks who have both made long term contributions to AFL North Coast.

Warren represented the Grafton Tigers as League delegate from 1992 to 2014 where he attended monthly League meetings in Coffs Harbour. Throughout his time in this role Warren was acknowledged for putting the League’s interests ahead of those of his club if they would be for the betterment of AFL on the North Coast. Warren received the Volunteer of the Year award in 2011 and the AFL NSW/ACT Merit Award for 10+ years of exemplary service.

Geoff has served an uninterrupted period of 27 years on the AFL North Coast independent Tribunal, first joining in 1992 and assuming the role of Chairman in 2012. Geoff has a reputation of being fair and firm, while he is respected throughout the League for his ability to get to the truth of the matter while always being respectful to all parties and following due process.

A huge thanks to our Life Members and volunteers everywhere – without your passionate efforts and boundless dedication our sport wouldn’t happen.