The VCFL Premiers Dinner was held at the Hilton on the Park on Saturday night with over 500 members of the country football fraternity joining the WorkSafe Victorian Country Football League in recognising all senior champions across the competition in football and netball, and a host of individual and organisational awards.
Ron Trimble of the Newbridge Football Netball Club was presented with the WorkSafe Volunteer of the Year Award in recognition of his efforts as President to sustain the club after their facilities were devastated by the summer floods.
Newbridge were required to play all 'home' matches away this season due to the complete destruction of their facilities, and training on the ground was seriously compromised all year. Portable structures, some creative thinking, support from the community and other clubs, and much hard work by the committee was required by the whole team to keep Newbridge on the field and the court in 2011.
VCFL CEO Steven Reaper said, "Ron represents the very best of what volunteering in country football and netball is about. He typifies the determination, the self sacrifice and can-do attitude that has kept football clubs alive and thriving over all these years."
"Ron has shown a deep concern and empathy for his club, and his members, in what was an extremely difficult and unprecedented time in the clubs history."
The Gippsland League and the Albury Wodonga Junior Football League were recognised with League Achievement Awards for their programs and initiatives over the 2011 season.
The South Warrnambool Football Netball Club took home the VCFL Barooga Sports Club of the Year Award.
The WorkSafe VCFL were also able to present the EJ Whitten Foundation with a donation for over $24,000 to assist with the work to inform country men about the importance of getting regular health checks. These funds were raised as a proportion of football short sales that bore the EJ Whitten Foundation logo.
Steven Reaper, was full of praise for the award winners and the attendees at the Annual Premiers Dinner.
"It is a terrific culmination of the football and netball season to have all of our Premiers attend this function in Melbourne with us, and the opportunity for us to show our thanks to our leagues, clubs, individuals and sponsor partners for the hard work they have performed in their communities over the year."
"It became clear over the course of the night that despite whatever difficulties and challenges are faced in our sport, that country people have a way of working through
them and supporting those who may need help to the ultimate benefit and success of the club environment and the communities they live in."
-2011 WINNERS LIST -
2011 VCFL Umpire of the Year - The Rowan Sawers Medal
Glenn Hayes - Goulburn Valley Football Umpires Association
2011 WorkSafe Volunteer of the Year
Ron Trimble - Newbridge Football Netball Club
2011 Defence Force Recruiting Most Disciplined Awards
Club: Balranald Football Netball Club - Central Murray Football League
League: Central Murray League
2011 League Recognition Awards
Senior: Gippsland League
Junior: Albury Wodonga Junior Football League
For leagues to excel in all areas of operations it takes not only quality administrators, but superior governance lead by a Board or Executive, hard-working and thorough effort by staff, and the ability to build and maintain exceptional relationships at club and umpire level.
The awards are highly sought after and are presented to affiliated VCFL Leagues who through sound management and good governance have initiated a range of programs and
procedures that have demonstrated outstanding results in developing the game in their region for the benefit of all members and wider participants.
2011 VCFL Barooga Sports Club of the Year
South Warrnambool Football Netball Club - Hampden Football Netball League.
South Warrnambool FNC - 2011 Highlights:
* Appointment of a part time administrator at the club.
* Good club and executive structure working in sub-committees
* Membership numbers never been higher
* Sponsorship dollars have never been higher
* Player Profile Booklet, Club Handbook produced to best-practice standard
* Club Strategic Plan and Precinct Masterplan developed with stakeholders
* On field success - 9 of 9 teams played finals
* Great use of website and social media
* Players representing at all higher levels in football and netball
* Focus on training and education for their leaders and coaches
* Junior Netball and Junior Football Development Officer employed by the club
* 3rd year of 'buddy' program with netball group utilising senior mentors
* Free junior lunches at SWFNC home matches on Saturday to create a social
interaction with juniors and a chance to present weekly Awards.
* Key driver in the Legends of Umpiring Day - with John DeGrandi officially
recognised.
* Rememberance Administrator appointed - official role to acknowledge significant
happenings at the club.
The 4 area finalists for the 2011 Victor Sports VCFL Club of Year were:
Ouyen United FNC
Kilcunda Bass FNC
Dookie United FNC
South Warrnambool FNC
By Jock Allan
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