Governing body for football and futsal in Queensland
Proudly presenting our June Volunteer of the Month from Magpies Crusaders Football Club, Belinda Kennell.
Belinda is well known in Mackay for her significant contribution to football over many years.
She constantly strives to provide opportunities for players in the region – and always with a smile!
Proudly presenting our June Volunteer of the Month, Clinton FC’s Ross Booth.
Ross is always the first one to raise his hand to help with anything the club needs. In addition to coaching a junior side at the club, driving the bus for the Premier teams and setting up the fields, Ross has also recently become a referee!
Proudly presenting our April Volunteer of the Month, Buderim Wanderers Football Club Brigitte DeCourcey.
Brigitte has been volunteering with the Wanderers since the 80’s. She raised her children whilst working in the canteen, beat a life threatening disease and remains a committee member to this day. She is extremely dedicated and committed to the club who absolutely cherish her.
Read the full story on Brigitte here.
Congratulations to our FQ Volunteer of the Month for March, Frenchville Football Club’s Janice Day.
A dedicated volunteer, Janice was an integral member of the club throughout the 2020 season, ensuring they were meeting COVID Safe requirements through the keeping of attendance registers while also attending all senior training sessions and matches throughout the year.
Congratulations to our February Volunteer of the Month, USQ Football Club President Tiffany Burstow.
Tiffany is described as a great asset to the club who always produces positive outcomes, and in addition to her role as President also manages player and coach recruitment as the MiniRoos Coordinator while playing for USQ FC in the Premier Ladies Team.
Football Queensland (FQ) is pleased to announce Cecil Newman and Bryan Graff as the Volunteers of the Month for October and November.
Newman and Graff have each dedicated over 20 years to maintaining the fields at Norbridge Park in Rockhampton, and were nominated to the Academy of Awesome by Football Queensland Central’s Kerry Gray.
“Nothing is ever a problem for Cecil and Bryan, especially this year with the changes to COVID-19 regulations,” Gray said.
“Both men worked hard to change the fields around, put out the marking and make sure the kids could play on Saturday morning.
“They are both true gentlemen of the game and people who definitely deserve the Volunteer of the Month award.”
Newman, who is in his 80s, and Graff who turned 90 in November were named joint Volunteers of the Year this year in the Football Queensland Central Awards Week due to their significant contributions to football in the region.
Football Queensland (FQ) is pleased to announce Across the Waves FC Secretary Renee Bock as the Volunteer of the Month for September.
Bock was nominated to the Academy of Awesome by Across the Waves FC President Paul Murphy.
“Renee goes over and above her role as Secretary,” Murphy said.
“She was instrumental in rolling out our COVID plan at the football club and football wouldn’t have happened as smoothly as it did if it hadn’t been for Renee.
“Renee has also recently given up her position to play football to make room for some newer recruits to join our club.
“Renee is a true club champion and has a can-do attitude.”
Renee has been involved in football for over 20 years, playing, coaching and watching her kids and husband play.
“What I love most about volunteering is being able to give back to the wonderful game that’s done a lot for me and my kids over the years,” Bock said.
“It really is a wonderful experience and I really recommend it to anyone.”
Football Queensland (FQ) is pleased to announce Saints Soccer Club’s Jamie Owens as the Volunteer of the Month for August.
Owens was nominated to the Academy of Awesome by Saints Soccer Club President Leigh Pollard after over 10 years of volunteering at the Cairns club.
“Jamie as a coach goes above and beyond. He has been a volunteer, Committee Member and coach at Saints Soccer Club and is currently the coach of our Under 13/14 team,” Pollard said.
“The team is made up of players from a refugee background who Jamie supports to be able to play competitive football.
“Jamie has created a wonderful relationship with players from various multicultural backgrounds through support and engagement, not only in a football sense but also to help them feel a part of the broader community.
“Jamie assists the children with any troubles at school, is a transport support for them and assists them to integrate into the broader Cairns community.
“He does an amazing amount of work not just on the field but also off the field, and is a really positive role model for these children and he thoroughly deserves this award.”
“My favourite part of volunteering would have to be game day, being part of the team and also watching these kids grow as they go from stage to stage,” Owens said.
“I’ve been volunteering now for about 10 years and to see some of the kids come back after a while, who are in their 20s now, is really nice.”
Football Queensland (FQ) is pleased to announce Noosa Lions FC Treasurer Sandra Jones as the Volunteer of the Month for July.
Jones was nominated to the Academy of Awesome by Noosa Lions FC President Alinda van der Harst, who described her as a volunteer extraordinaire who not only takes care of tasks including international clearances, but is also coaching girls’ teams this year.
“Sandra does an amazing job at Noosa; she’s a fierce advocate for women’s football even though like many of us her kids don’t play there anymore,” van der Harst said.
“This year particularly has been very tough with COVID, but she still managed to work full time and show up every weekend.
“Every weekend she’s there, she shows up and she does an amazing job.”
In her seven years at the club and five as Treasurer, Jones has watched the club grow from 350 members to now over 700.
“I’ve been so fortunate that I’ve been given the opportunity to work with really professional people from all sorts of backgrounds and all walks of life,” Jones said.
“I’m very grateful for the nomination, but really this is for everyone who volunteers.”
Football Queensland (FQ) is pleased to announce Callide United FC Treasurer Leanne Seagrott as the Volunteer of the Month for February.
As the winner for February 2020, Seagrott wins a $250 travel voucher courtesy of Flight Centre, FQ’s official travel and accommodation partner.
Seagrott was nominated to the Academy of Awesome by Kellie Wilkie, who described her as the quiet achiever of the club.
“Leanne has tirelessly applied for grants over the past 15+ years to help improve the facilities of this terrific organisation,” Wilkie said.
“Not only does she manage the finances of Callide United FC, she also manages the Biloela and District competitions, including but not limited to preparing the draw, ladders, trophies and publicity.
“There is more that she does in the background of the running of this club that I don’t even know about! I couldn’t think of a more deserving winner of this award.”
Seagrott has been Club Treasurer for more than 20 years, and also coaches a number of teams at Callide United FC.
Her tireless work applying for grants also saw the club receive Federal Government funding for the upgrade of field lighting.
Seagrott said her motivation to continue in the role was simple.
“The reason I’ve been doing it so long is to see the smiles on the kids’ faces at the end of the season.”
Football Queensland (FQ) is pleased to announce Sandy Burrell of Peninsula Power FC as the Volunteer of the Month for January.
As the winner for January 2020, Burrell wins a $250 travel voucher courtesy of Flight Centre, FQ’s official travel and accommodation partner.
Taking on a multitude of roles at the club including volunteer and coach coordinator, facility supervisor, fixture controller and canteen worker, Burrell was nominated to the Academy of Awesome by Community Football Division Chairperson Cathy Noble.
“In her 17th year on the committee Sandy knows just about everything that needs to be known,” Noble said.
“Sandy takes care of fixtures, blue cards and basically every other job that needs doing.
“The community football program at Peninsula Power would not run without her.”
Burrell said she continues to volunteer at the club even after her son left because she enjoys it so much.
“I just love being here with the kids,” Burrell said.
“My son left at the age of 17 and he’s now 23, and I’m still here and I love every minute of it.”
Football Queensland (FQ) is pleased to announce Christine Wells of Boyne Tannum Football Club as the Volunteer of the Month for December.
As the winner for December 2019, Wells wins a $250 travel voucher courtesy of Flight Centre, Football Queensland’s official travel and accommodation partner.
Boyne Tannum Football Club Junior Club Registrar Wells was nominated to the Academy of Awesome by Club President Mark Holmes, for the time and commitment she has dedicated behind the scenes at the club.
“Chris is the heart and soul of Boyne Tannum Football Club,” Holmes said.
“Chris’ involvement in the club ensures that those little things behind the scenes are done to ensure the club is a success on and off the pitch.”
Holmes also praised Wells for taking on a variety of roles at the club.
“Whilst her substantive role is Registrar, she extends her involvement far beyond that with coaching, as a canteen convener and playing in the senior team,” he said.
When she found out she had won the award, Wells said she was surprised and overwhelmed, and insisted that her love of the game and bringing joy to the kids drives her passion.
“I enjoy being with the kids I coach and making sure they’ve got a club to come to – that’s why I do what I do in the background,” Wells said.
“I’ve had four kids come through this club. It’s really just making sure that getting to play is an available opportunity for everyone in the community.”
Although she struggled to narrow down her fond memories of volunteering at Boyne Tannum Football Club, Wells said a special celebration earlier this year still stands out.
“This year was our 40th anniversary and I was part of the team that tried to make the club day special,” Wells said.
“That was a really exciting day – watching all the kids have their moment in the sun between the senior games, and seeing the little ones get a buzz out of running on to the field with the senior teams was pretty awesome.”
Words: Darren Newell
