2009 Volunteer of the Year Winners
The John Eales Medal presentation on 22nd October was not just about recognising achievements on the field in the past year but honouring those who have made a valuable contribution off the field as well with the announcement of the 2009 Australian Rugby - Volunteer of the Year.
The Winner
Steve Gann (Rugby WA)
The founding President of the Bunbury City Bulls RUFC, WA was recognised for his service to rugby.
An instrumental figure in the development of rugby in the State’s south-west, Gann was President of the West Australian Country Rugby Union (WACRU) from 1994 to 2000, and was founding President of the South West Rugby Union (SWRU) from 1990 until 2000.
He was also captain, coach and President at the Bunbury Barbarians from 1989 to 1995, and has been a life member of that club since 1996.
Gann formed the Bulls three years ago to compete in the SWRU competition. The Bunbury Barbarians compete in the Perth metropolitan competition.
The judging criteria used to select the National Volunteer of the Year are:
- significant contribution to the sport of rugby;
- innovation and leadership;
- demonstration of Community Rugby participation;
- meeting an identified Community Rugby need;
- meeting an identified region/zone, state or national rugby need;
- contribution of best practice principles; and
- contribution to rugby within their State/Territory Union up to and including July 2009.
The ARU Chairman, Managing Director and CEO and the General Manager Community Rugby then determined the National Volunteer of the Year.
Each State/Territory Union provided the ARU with their nomination for the Volunteer of the Year. The 2009 candidates were outstanding and include individuals who have participated at the community rugby level for over 20 years.
The 2009 State nominees for Volunteer of the Year:
Kevin Culliver (VRU)
- Became involved in rugby in 1990
- Helped former students introduce rugby at St Bernard’s College and Marcellin College.
- delivered almost every national schools rugby event during that time in the last 15 years.
- Has been Tournament Director, Tour Manager, Vice President VRU, Chairman/Honorary Secretary and Delegate.
Jenny Middlemiss (NSWRU)
- Committee member for 21 years and currently the Barraba Secretary Club Registrar and Zone Vice President.
- Awards include 2007 Tamworth Regional Council Volunteer of the Year Award, 2006 Prime TV medal for contribution to Central North Rugby Union, Barraba Club person of the year 1991, Life Membership of Barraba Rugby Club
- Coordinated rugby exchange programs for juniors between New Zealand and Samoan schools and Barraba schools.
Peter "Flip" Wilson (SARU)
- Over 25 years involvement with rugby as Player and official
- Current President, Treasurer, Bar Manager, Ground Allocations and Events Organiser with Burnside RUFC
- Completes all his rugby duties in addition to full time job as Senior Sergeant in charge of SA Metropolitan Operations with SA Police .
Drew Weaver (NTRU)
- Bushratz President 2004-2009, Juniors Coach 2004-present, Grounds Manger 2004-2009, Bushratz in the Community Officer 2004-present, Try Rugby Coordinator 2008-present
- At home games he mows and paints the lines, sets up the kiosk, waters the grass and sets up the team areas
- For away games he organises the team bus and volunteers to drive the bus
- Drew’s made a difference in the lives of youth of Kakadu through guidance and mentoring where some of the kids have little personal support from home.
Mark Cassidy (QRU)
- Hervey Bay Bat Attack Golden Oldies Player, Strapper, Physio, prolific try scorer and alcohol abuse mentor
- Hervey Bay Junior Fighting Whiting Coach Coordinator since 2008 – has streamlined governance compliance and through the production of skills and training manuals has significantly improved ability of new coaches to teach rugby
- As a trained physiotherapist he has offered services at no charge to all local senior, junior and school competitions and is the “go to” person on matters involving injuries and injury prevention
Jarrod Bryant (Brumbies)
- Became involved in Wagga City Rugby Club since 2005 and from then until 2009 has been the Club President, Club Coach, Southern Inland Rugby Board Member, Sponsorship Co-ordinator, 1st and 2nd grade Manager and Ground Marshall
- Has been instrumental in creating position descriptions to fill committee positions that in the past were unable to be filled
Mark Oakford (TRU)
- Current TRU roles include Chair of the Rugby Management Committee 2004-present, Member of TRU Board, TRU Registrar 2005-present
- Rugby Park Management 1999-present, Licensee for Rugby Park 1999-2009, Honorary Secretary 2001, Systems Officer 2003
- Organising and scheduling all games played in junior and senior men’s and women’s competition.
Click here for further information on the 2009 National Volunteer Recognition Program (pdf - 296kb).
