North Coast pair honoured with State Volunteer wins
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The AFL NSW/ACT has announced its Toyota AFL Volunteers of the Year winners for 2023 and two AFL North Coast volunteers are among the 12 category winners.
Rod Chetwynd was named as the winner in the NSW/ACT AFL Community Umpiring Service category.
Rod was selected for his years of outstanding service to umpiring as well fostering improvement and growth in the local umpiring group, particularly in the Port Macquarie region.
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Carissa Embling was chosen as this year’s Toyota AFL Community Volunteer for NSW/ACT.
Having served on the Port Macquarie Seniors committee in recent years, this year Carissa took on the president’s role this year and was selected after many of her actions enhanced the Magpies’ governance, operations, sponsorship and inclusivity outcomes.
These outstanding footy people were selected from a record number of nominations received by AFL NSW/ACT.
NSW/ACT volunteers of the year receive a certificate of appreciation and a $200 e-gift.
“Volunteers are the heartbeat of our football community and each of these amazing winners here have proven themselves deeply committed to their clubs, schools and community football groups,” Head of AFL NSW/ACT, Tiffany Robertson said:
“Congratulations to all the winners and thank you, on behalf of everyone involved in AFL in NSW and the ACT, for all you have done to enhance footy in this region.”
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NSW/ACT’s 2023 Toyota AFL Volunteers of the Year
Category | Name | Club/School | Location | Citation |
Toyota AFL Community Volunteer | Carissa Embling | Port Macquarie Magpies | AFL North Coast | For enhancing the club’s governance, operations, sponsorship and inclusivity outcomes. |
Young Leader of the Year | Shelby Newton | Cardiff Hawks | AFL Hunter Central Coast | For inspiring, guiding and enhancing the experience for youth girls and Indigenous participants in AFL Hunter Central Coast. |
Community Club of the Year | – | Maroubra Saints | AFL Sydney Juniors | Achieving outstanding growth in girls playing and women as coaches and committee representatives. |
NAB AFL Auskick Volunteer | Garret Goring | Mangoplah Cookardinia United Eastlakes | AFL Riverina | For creating a positive, organised Auskick environment and being instrumental in setting up the first girls only Auskick program in Wagga. |
AFL Disability Inclusion Volunteer | Julie Chard | Penrith Giants | AFL Sydney Juniors | For initiating and leading the development of the Club Kickability Guide and assisting several clubs set-up a Kickability program. |
AFL Community Umpiring Service | Rod Chetwynd | – | AFL North Coast | For an outstanding contribution to umpiring and fostering improvement and growth in the local umpiring group. |
AFL Community Coach of the Year – Male | Stephen Benjamin | Maroubra Saints | AFL Sydney Juniors | For playing coaching roles with U7, U9 and U10 teams and encouraging improvement and a love of football at all ages. |
AFL Community Coach of the Year – Female | Tracy Jedrzejewski | Wollondilly Knights | AFL Sydney | For playing a major role in rebuilding the senior women’s playing group following several disrupted years. |
AFL School Teacher of the Year – Male | Samuel Nolte | Endeavour Sports High | Caringbah | For working hard to get kids involved in football at school, playing many roles to get them to competition and performing well. |
AFL School Teacher of the Year – Female | Tanya Crosswell | Wahroonga Public School | Hornsby Primary School Sports Association | For managing the Hornsby PSSA competition to include 15 schools who play weekly, dividing them into developing and experienced schools to ensure an even competition. |
AFL National Community Football Media Award | Edwina Colquhoun | Western Suburbs Magpies | AFL Sydney Juniors | For redesigning the club’s website, and for managing social media and club communications. |
AFL National Community Football Photography Award | Simone Harmer | Turvey Park Bulldogs | AFL Riverina | For long term dedication for photographing Turvey Park matches and advising other clubs across AFL Riverina on how to manage social media. |
Each of the NSW/ACT winners are eligible to become the national winner for their category. National winners receive a three-night package to attend the 2023 Toyota AFL Grand Final and one deserving volunteer will win a new Toyota Hilux valued at $61,000.