AFL recognises hard working volunteers

Steve Ray from the University of NSW/Eastern Suburbs Football Club has been awarded the 2009 AFL NSW/ACT State Volunteer of the Year award. Ray, along with 25 other regional winners, was recognised for his tireless commitment and dedication to his football club.

Arriving at the University of NSW/Eastern Suburbs Football Club four years ago, Ray’s work ethic and passion for the club quickly saw him become a cherished member of the Bulldogs family, bringing a new found professionalism for the club.

“Since Steve has been involved, we have seen our club go from strength to strength. His work around the club has helped foster a positive environment. Every club would be lucky to have a Steve Ray, the Bulldogs owe a lot to him,” said Simon Clarke of University of NSW/Eastern Suburbs.

Ray said that he was thrilled but shocked to the win the award.

“I was very surprised, I really was stunned. I felt very humbled. I knew I was nominated for the regional award and thought that was a big deal. But to be told I was the State winner was quite shock.”

As part of the award, Ray was flown to Melbourne with his partner Karen to enjoy the 2009 Toyota AFL Grand Final with the other six state winners.

“We were made to feel very special, to be treated so well in the middle of Melbourne and have everything so accessible was something I had never experienced. Meeting Kevin Sheedy and David Parkin was a huge experience. I think Karen even enjoyed it more than me – it certainly made up for all the hours I’m away at the footy club.

“The MCG is just the perfect theater for an event like that. The highlight for me was probably as the Qantas jet flew over when the kids were singing. It was very impressive. The game was amazing.

“An award like this and the treatment we received in Melbourne just shows that the AFL is aware of the enormous contributions by me and the thousands of other volunteers around the country, it tells me they are doing the right thing by recognizing these people.”

In NSW and the ACT there are more than 2,000 volunteers who dedicate some 500 hours each every year to their clubs.

AFL NSW/ACT Football Services Manger, Chris Mintern, said that the AFL was proud to recognise the hard work and dedication of its valued volunteers.

“This is an important time of the year for us to stop and pay tribute the tireless work of our volunteers. Without volunteers our game would not survive. It is thanks to their dedication and commitment to these clubs that we have competitions that we can all be proud of.

“This is the second year that we have had awards. We received more than 100 nominations this year, all of them outstanding. It really is hard selected the winners.

AFL NSW/ACT thanks all the volunteers that have worked for their club or league in 2009.