AFL National Volunteer Awards

Each year the AFL recognise volunteers for their outstanding contribution to Australian Football through the  AFL National Volunteer Awards.

The various category nominations will be considered at State and Territory level. State and Territory winners are then considered as part of the AFL National Awards. Amazing recognition & prizes are on offer to the various category winners. 

During this season the Central West competition has had many volunteers helping out and around each club. Below is a list of some of the key volunteers from the clubs this season:

Bathurst Giants:

Peter O’Neil has been goal umpiring for the Bathurst Giants for the past three seasons. Peter’s kids played for the club although Peter still remains helping out every weekend doing goal umpiring. His efforts don’t go unnoticed as the club is extremely grateful for the effort he puts in every week.

Orange Tigers:

There are quite a few that have gone over and above this season for the Orange Tigers.

Mark Gibson (Vice President) and Matt Shephard (Under-17s coach) installed the club’s new electronic scoreboard a couple of weeks ago. They both were there from start to finish with digging the trench and getting the power etc run to the board.

Andrew Nelson (Senior player) who also helped with the scoreboard and marking the field each week.

Amy Murphy from the women’s team who is the first to put her hand for anything from digging trenches to running water.

Cara Jordan also from the women’s team who has taken on the club’s social media and is doing an outstanding job at it.

Cowra Blues:

Sarah Day has been a wonderful help for Cowra. She is the women’s coach who was responsible for restarting team from scratch in 2023 which involved recruitment, management, as well as coaching; produces most of the club’s social media content 

Frank Bright who is the Men’s coach and club President does a fantastic job making sure everything is organised and ready for each game day.

Bathurst Bushrangers:

The Bushrangers are a family club and that us why we are proud to have the Price family part of our club. Helen and Craig have volunteered for our club for over a decade with their son Jordan playing juniors and now seniors. They have always been around to support and encourage and are well respected and loved by everyone.

Nominations for the National Volunteer Awards close midnight tonight on Monday July 17. To nominate a club person click here and follow the prompts. It’s clear that across our competition there are countless volunteers doing phenomenal work to support the game we love. Now is the last chance to recognise them this season for one of the many AFL awards.

Stay up to date with the latest from the competition on Triple M (105.1 Orange and 93.5 Dubbo) or via AFL Central West’s Facebook and website.