Eamonn Gilbert
Eamonn Gilbert
Vice President and Coach
Football Queensland is pleased to announce Eamonn Gilbert of James Cook University (JCU) Strikers Football Club as the Volunteer of the Month for March.
As the winner for March 2019, Gilbert wins a $200 travel voucher, courtesy of Flight Centre, Football Queensland’s official travel and accommodation partner.
Gilbert was nominated to the Academy of Awesome by JCU Strikers Secretary and Registrar John Cahill who describes him as “the heart and soul of the club.”
“He has again been elected as club Vice President for the sixth year and has agreed to take on coaching three teams within the club,” Cahill said.
“He deals with our youngest members of the club (3-5 year olds) in the Mini Roos Kick-Off, our Under 18 boys and also is the current coach of our reserve grade men’s side.
“He is also a mentor to other coaches who regularly come to him for advice.”
Gilbert is always willing to help where he can, and is often the first one at club events to set up and the last to leave.
Cahill said that Gilbert’s involvement in the club is a key motivator in him continuing in his executive role at the club.
“He is always there to lend a helping hand wherever he can and he’s given the sport a lot,” Cahill said.
“The kids who have had the pleasure of working with him have not only grown as players but they have grown to love the sport.
“He is a real asset to the club.”
A humble man who doesn’t likes recognition, Gilbert didn’t think he was worthy to receive the award but did appreciate the fact that Cahill values what he does for the club.
“I duck and weave because I don’t like recognition but I do like the fact that John does value what I do because he is a wonderful human being,” Gilbert said.
Gilbert joined the Far North Queensland club at its inception to be surrounded by like-minded people, and continues to be involved because of his love for the kids.
“I only ask two things of them; give me all you’ve got and at least one training session try and make me laugh,” Gilbert said.
“If you can make me laugh, you will keep me going.”
Being at the clubhouse five times a week on top of full time work, Gilbert has a very heavy workload but is happy to it for the people of the club.
“Because I want to do it, I make the time to do it,” Gilbert said.
“I like having an impact and I believe I have good ideas and values and the other people on the committee and at the club are just really nice people and easy to get along with.
“So whatever I can do to make it good for them, I will do.”
Words: Zoe Nilsen
