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.”