South Coast Volunteers Nominated for National Awards

It goes without saying that weekend football doesn’t happen without the hard work and dedication of a large team of volunteers. Each club across the South Coast have an outstanding group of volunteers who strive to make AFL enjoyable and safe and welcoming to everyone.

“The volunteers are such an important part of our game. They are often the unseen heroes of match day and it’s fantastic to see some of ours get recognized through the National nominations” Competition Coordinator Jess Markut said when asked about the National Volunteer Recognition Awards.

Congratulations to all nominees and on behalf of AFL South Coast, we wish you the best of luck in each of your award categories.

Mr Brad Longhurst:

Nominated for: AFL National Community Umpiring Service Award

Brad Longhurst took up the role of AFL South Coast Goal Umpire Coach prior to the commencement of the 2024 AFL South Coast community football season, following the departure of the previous goal umpire coach in the region. Brad is responsible for providing direction and leadership to the AFL South Coast goal umpires. He attends and conducts training sessions that provide skill development and weekly training of the goal umpires who officiate in AFL South Coast competitions to ensure a consistent and high goal umpiring standard is achieved.

‍Further, he provides coaching feedback to goal umpires and acts as a matchday coach when able and available to do so. Brad is also responsible for the completion of weekly goal umpiring appointments to all AFL South Coast Seniors matches as they arise as well as AFL South Coast Juniors matches (when required).

‍In addition to his coaching duties, he maintains a high standard of umpiring himself as he is seen regularly on weekends goal umpiring in multiple AFL South Coast Seniors matches – mainly these matches are in Men’s Premier Division.

‍Brad began umpiring in 1989 and has brought his years of experience and enthusiasm to his coaching role.

Peta Paget

Nominated for: NAB AFL Auskick Volunteer of the Year

Peta has been an instrumental driving force in bringing AFL back to the Southern Highlands Region. Her passion for AFL and development of kids is infectious and has lead to the Auskick Centre being re-established and quickly becoming one of the larger centres in the Illawarra area. With Peta reaching out to me, we have been able to put together a group of like-minded people in the Highlands to restart the  AFL club after 2 years of having no club to promote.

I have had nothing but postive feedback from families about how she runs her Auskick sessions, and how much all the kids love her. Peta’s conistent communication has meant that she is easy to work with to continue to grow footy in the region.

Mr William Judd

Nominated for: TOYOTA AFL Young Leader of the Year

At 24 years of age, William ‘Juddy’ Judd has committed 3 seasons to coaching the Wollongong Lions Premier Division Men’s Side and assisted the Wollongong Lions Women’s program with a level of professionalism and integrity beyond his years.

In 2023, William took on the role of secretary within the club in addition to his coaching role and has spent the past two (2) seasons advocating for and working towards building a sense of community within the club, where players and volunteers feel appreciated, valued and supported. Examples include but are not limited to;

1. Encouraging the men’s players to get around to watch and support the women’s teams

2. Advocating for players that help around the club to be picked in the Reserves matches regardless of performance on field, believing the club would benefit more from dedicated players.

3. Supported the junior pathway to help aid the retention of junior players and the transition into senior football. He has advocated for this by encouraging players from the senior Men’s and Women’s programs to attend junior training sessions, take training, help on game day etc.

Northern Districts Tigers

Nominated for: TOYOTA Community Club of the Year

In 2024 The Northern Districts Tigers (NDT) have facilitated opportunities within their club to connect further to the game and to their broader community. These include but are not limited too:

1. Sourcing and funding a demountable umpire’s change room to provide our umpires with a safe place to change and converse before and after each match. Previously the umpires were to leave their bags in the club room, behind a partition board.

2. Worked to facilitate junior/ senior match days to provide alignment between their junior and senior clubs. They specifically targeted opposition that also had an Under 17’s team to align on a match where both clubs could benefit from the Junior/ Senior day.

3. In 2024 NDT hosted a Pride Round match, wearing rainbow socks, hanging pride banners and posters around the ground and in the club rooms to support the AFL’s Pride Round Initiative and partnered with the Disabled Surfers Association and the Homeless Hub for this weekend. This allowed the club to broaden Pride Round to a more encompassing Inclusion Round.

4. As part of their Inclusion Round, NDT held a pool competition where all profits raised from the entry fees went to the Disabled Surfers Association and accepted non-perishable food items, clothing and toiletries to donate to the Homeless Hub Initiative.

Miss Lauren Myers

Nominated for: AFL Community Coach of the Year (Women)

In her inaugural year as a coach, Lauren has already left an incredible mark on the U15 girls’ team. Taking on the role she not only shares her passion for the sport but also strives to empower young women by showcasing the opportunities available to them in what is often perceived as a male dominated sport.

Lauren has provided a safe environment for the team by encouraging communication, connection and friendship. Under her guidance the team has demonstrated noticeable growth in both skill development and technique. Lauren’s coaching philosophy is built around collaboration between the coach and the team working together where you can improve, grow and learn from each other, this has allowed herself and her players to reach their full potential and know in themselves what they are capable of.

Only halfway through her first season Lauren is hooked and is an advocate for women in coaching, encouraging others to take that step into coaching with confidence and ensuring others are aware of the resources they have available and support to succeed as a coach.

Lauren’s impact as a coach extends far beyond the field and is a deserving candidate for AFL Community Coach of the Year!

Mr Michael Burke

Nominated for: TOYOTA AFL Community Volunteer of the Year

Michael has been a major supporter of football on the South Coast, promoting the Shoalhaven clubs and providing a supportive and welcoming club environment for players, umpires and volunteers. His philosophy is that every kid that wants to play deserves a place to do so.

Bay and Basin Bombers have been a part of the South Coast Senior competition since 2000 and for the first time in their 24 years, they entered both a senior men’s and senior women’s team in the 2024 season.  Michael has been a key driving force for the promotion of Women’s football within the Bay and Basin region.

Along with holding the title of President and coaching both juniors and senior football over the last three seasons, Michael has also his season stepped up to coach our Shoalhaven Junior Representative side, during which a female player was also selected in a separate girls only rep side. Michael happily supported her decision to play on the girls only side and progress her football through that pathway.

Michael has also been a major supporter of getting regular umpire training within the Shoalhaven Region to give kids that are interested in umpiring a pathway and easily accessible opportunity to do so.

Mr Alan Cooper

Nominated for: TOYOTA AFL Community Volunteer of the Year

Al is an unstoppable force at our footy club, tackling every challenge with boundless energy and zero complaints. His dedication is unwavering. Al ensures team manager roles are covered, team sheets are meticulously filled out, scores and goal kickers are updated, and guernseys are perfectly organized in the dressing room.

A standout tradition loved by players and coaches alike is Al’s Soup Kitchen at Friday night training sessions. Al takes the time to prepare, cook, and set up a slow cooker in the Myimbarr canteen, complete with rolls, so the boys can enjoy a warm, hearty bowl of soup together after training. It’s these little touches that make him a legend.

Known to us as the “Prems Team Manager,” Al is the ultimate professional. He makes sure players’ jumpers are hung on coat hangers before games, the Gatorade drum is full, and all bottles are ready. He’s always on top of the scores and updates PlayHQ with precision.

Al’s commitment to our club is unparalleled. He’s been a part of the journey for all four of his children through our junior clubs through to seniors and his presence is iconic in his Suns indigenous jersey or Swans red and whites.

Al is the volunteer of all volunteers. He never complains, just rolls up his sleeves and delivers the best playing experience possible for our team. His tireless efforts and enthusiasm are the heart and soul of our club, keeping us going strong week after week.

Mr Graham Duke

Nominated for: TOYOTA AFL Community Volunteer of the Year

Graham Duke (Dukesy) has been a helper at our club for many, many years. Despite having no playing members at the club(his son passed away) he still volunteers his time.

President from 2018-2020. He was instrumental in supporting the first female team which started in 2018. He was great at teaching the new girls to kick and helping out the coach.

His line marking skills are second to none. He even volunteered his time to help the council mark out our new oval.

This year he has been a wonderful help setting up our new scoring system and scoreboard at the new Artie Smith Oval. He has managed the new technology and held sessions to teach others. He volunteers his Sundays to help the juniors by setting up, scoring and ground managing.

His Saturdays are spent with the seniors as our ground manager. He always runs to schedule and nothing is ever a problem.

Dukesy is also first to out his hand up to help when any maintenance is needed. He was there to build and kit out our new storeroom.

He helps out on training nights and even makes the vegetarian meals and serves the players on pasta night each Thursday.

He also coordinates our presentation nights and generates slide shows to capture our year in photos.

‍Nothing is ever a problem for Graham and his dedication to the club is amazing. The Bomaderry Tigers would be lost without Dukesy!