2012 AFL NSW/ACT Volunteer of the Year

It is with great pleasure that we would like to announce that the 2012 AFL NSW/ACT Volunteer is Michael Barnes from the North Wagga Football Netball Club.

Michael became involved in football as a player and has since taken on many different roles at the club including President, Coach and handyman around the club. This year Michael oversaw the recovery and rebuilding of McPherson Oval following the devastating floods earlier this year.

This included the resurfacing of the Community Centre floor covering, sourcing and installing replacement equipment and fittings as well as liaising with Wagga Wagga City Council and AFL as the canteen, fencing score board and goal posts were overhauled or replaced.

Michael has also organised the Pink Ladies and Sponsors Day which is one of the club’s major events of the year. In the last two years these events have raised just under $30,000 in funding for the Cancer Council.

AFL NSW/ACT are also pleased to announce the two recipients of the AFL Merit Award for NSW and the ACT. Congratulations to Jim Woodlock (AFL North Coast) and Ronald Chaplin (The Rock Yerong Creek Football Netball Club) who have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to the game.

The AFL Merit award is one of the most prestigious in community football for volunteers who have devoted over ten years of service to the development of Australian football.

Jim Woodlock from the AFL North Coast has been involved in the AFL North Coast for 26 years and he has been involved in many different facets of football on the North Coast. Jim has served as League President, Regional Director for AFL in Northern NSW, Administrator and President of the Administration Committee.

Jim has overseen the growth of the AFL North Coast competition including the introduction of an Under 18s competition in 1998, and Reserves the following year. Along with his colleagues, he helped introduce the AFL North Coast Juniors competition.

Jim is a life member of the AFL North Coast Junior Association, the AFL North Coast Senior Association, and the AFL North Coast Umpires Association.

In recognition of their service to football on the North Coast, the Woodlock’s (Jim and his wife Jill) have a medal struck in their honour in both the Senior (Best on Ground in the Senior Grand Final), and Junior (Best on Ground in a Junior Age Group Grand Final) Associations.

Ronald Chaplin began his association with The Rock Yerong Creek Football Netball Club 63 years ago as a player and has supported the club continually since then. He supports players on game day by helping in the dressing sheds, rubbing players down, encouraging and giving wise words of wisdom. Ron can always be called upon to fulfill roles on game day.

He was the goal umpire for many years and has kept score on the scoreboard for 35 years. Players and supporters can often hear Ron’s thoughts on the game clearly from his favoured position. Ron is 74 years young and continues to support his beloved Magpies by keeping score and cleaning the ground after each game.