Andrew Knott, Community Football Manager for NSW/ACT said Woodlock’s award was a just reward for a revered figure in the North Coast football community.

"The AFL Merit Award recognises long term service to Australian football and is a prestigious award within the football community," said Knott.

"Jim is a stalwart of our game and we salute his unrelenting service over the years."

Before moving to Coffs Harbour, Woodlock had a distinguished career as a player and coach, taking charge of Caulfield Grammar and Mornington under 16s and holding administrative positions at the Mornington Peninsula Football League.

His long service to AFL on the North Coast began when he moved to the area in 1986 and became a committee member at Woolgoolga Football Club.

He served as AFL North Coast League President from 1988-89, 1992-93, and 1997-2008 and was the Regional Director for AFL in Northern NSW from 1993-95.

In 2008, after almost 20 years in the role of President, Woodlock took a small step back to become the AFL North Coast’s Football Operations Manager.　

Over the years, the 2000 Australian Sports Medallist has overseen the development of junior AFL in the area, as well as the formation of the under 18s competition and the Grafton and Nambucca Valley AFL clubs.

In 2004 a medal was struck to honour the many years of service Woodlock has given to the AFL North Coast League. The Jim Woodlock Medal is awarded to the player judged as the best on ground in the League’s senior grand final.

Woodlock is a life member of the AFL North Coast Junior Association, the AFL North Coast Senior Association, the AFL North Coast Umpires Association and the Mornington Peninsula Football League.

Woodlock’s wife, Jill, is also no stranger to the North Coast football community having served alongside Jim in various capacities within these organisations.　

The AFL Merit Award is the latest in a long line of highly distinguished achievements for the former teacher. The Award was set up to recognise outstanding volunteers who have contributed significantly to Australian Football in a number of roles for a period of at least 10 years.

Two winners from each state and territory receive an AFL Merit Award Certificate personally signed by the AFL Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman of the AFL Commission, and have their name added to the honour board of Award winners dating back to 1931.