Football Queensland is pleased to announce Nambour Yandina United Football Club’s Sue Usher as the first recipient of Volunteer of the Month award for 2019.

Usher was nominated to the Academy of Awesome by fellow member of Nambour Yandina United and Club Secretary Suzanne Bellamy-Kavanagh for her generosity, passion, tireless work and commitment to the Sunshine Coast club.

As winner for January 2019, Usher wins a $200 travel voucher, courtesy of Flight Centre, Football Queensland’s official travel and accommodation partner.

“Sue works as a registrar with our club, but that is simply just the beginning,” said Bellamy-Kavanagh.

“No task is too grand, she goes out of the way to ensure everyone at the club is happy, whether that be making sure children feel comfortable in the same team as their friends, organising activities or making hundreds of sandwiches to feed the masses come carnival day.

“Sue handles everything with grace, which is just one of the reasons why we love her.”

Recognising the unsung heroes of grassroots clubs who put in hour after hour of work such as Sue from behind the scenes of Nambour Yandina United is what the Academy of Awesome is all about.

“She may be quiet, but particularly over the past few months, with the pressure of a new registering system and the work that came with that, I wanted to recognise Sue’s efforts as she puts herself second despite everything going on around her,” said Bellamy-Kavanagh.

Surprised and embarrassed to be on the receiving end of a volunteer award, Sue said she just loves to give back to a club that has been such a welcoming community staple.

“My role as a registrar isn’t all that big compared to those behind the canteen or even ground staff, but to purely be recognised, I’m very touched,” said Usher.

“Coming up from Sydney with twin boys, I’ve been at the club for 12 years.”

Starting out as team coordinator for her sons’ side, Sue has grown into a club stalwart and an integral part of the committee for the past decade.

“The club has been good to us ever since we arrived in Nambour,” Usher said.

“Whether it be team training, the boys heading down there for simply a kick around, or having a beer and watching the football on a Saturday night, there is a real community feel.”

Usher said Nambour Yandina has real sense of community – a haven that not only serves as a football field, but a home away from home.

“That is why I like to give back, because NYU feels like a second home and seeing the smiling faces of those young and old, they make it worthwhile,” she said.

Is there a volunteer at your local club who should be recognised for the time they dedicate to football? Nominate someone for the Volunteer of the Month here.