Bardon Latrobe Football Club’s David Bounds has been announced as the Queensland Male Champion of the Year as part of FFA’s rebel Female Football Awards.

A volunteer coach at the club who hopes to inspire his daughter and other young girls through his involvement in football, Bounds is known at Bardon Latrobe FC for instilling pride in the young female players.

Bounds has championed the involvement of female players at the club, and helped to increase the retention of women and girls by fostering a love of the game and a love for the club in the young players.

Despite not having a daughter in the team, Bounds volunteered his time as a coach while continuing to play in the Bardon Latrobe Men’s side, coaching his young team to the Premiership after a mid-ladder finish the year prior.

He was also named Community Male Coach of the Year at the 2019 Football in Queensland Awards Night for his work at Bardon Latrobe FC.

Bounds says his time as a coach has been a rewarding experience, while members of the club have credited him with developing a sense of camaraderie and pride in the team and the jersey amongst the young players.

“After taking on the job I realised what a talented bunch of players I had inherited. Not only that but the team was really coachable. Seeing the work we put into training come off on match day is very rewarding,” Bounds said.

“As a club, Bardon Latrobe has a proud history and I’ve made my team aware of that tradition. Wearing the shirt of the team who were believed to have the first ever women’s team should instil pride.”

Bounds credits Bardon Latrobe FC with fostering a positive environment for women and girls, noting this as one of the highlights of his time with the club.

“As a club we have had a great last 24 months in building infrastructure and facilities that allow our female players and members to thrive.  Seeing this and the enthusiasm around female participation at our club has been the biggest highlight for me,” Bounds said.

“I’m proud that my team has the option to stay at Bardon Latrobe as we develop a pathway into senior women’s football which is our goal.

“Personally, I love that my wife and young daughter can come down to the club and I can contribute to inspiring her to play football. A few of the senior players became Dads at similar times so I’m calling it now – Bardon Latrobe NPL Women’s champions 2040!”

A former player who was involved in football in South Australia, Bounds is proud to be part of a club with such a strong community focus.

“Football means a lot. I have played at a high level back in South Australia. Now I’m at a club in Brisbane that is community focused and feel so rewarded coaching this talented team,” Bounds said.

“I’m excited to see these girls develop into the best footballers they can be but I’m also proud to watch them grow into better people. Hopefully they inspire my own daughter and other young girls into following in my and their footsteps in football.”

Find out what’s happening across the state for rebel Female Football Week here.