Major relief: Rochester Footbal Netball Club won another Community Club award for its spirited efforts in 2023. Photo: Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos
AFL Victoria’s annual Community Football Awards ceremony took place on October 20, with several gongs headed to recipients in the Goulburn Murray area.
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Seymour junior coach Sam Heron, longstanding Goulburn Valley League contributor Ian Howard and Rochester Football Netball Club have scooped awards recognising their work on various platforms.
“We were proud to have three winners from across our region recognised at the awards night,” AFL Goulburn Murray region manager Shaun Connell said in a statement.
“It’s fantastic to have three award recipients recognised from our region, as what they do is vital.
“Our volunteers freely give so much of their time to ensure our great game of Australian rules football can be played.”
Back and better: Seymour's Sam Heron was a Female Coach of the Year recipient. Photo: Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos
Heron received the Peta Searle Female Coach of the Year award, steering the under-16 brigade at Seymour to a perfect 2023 season in Goulburn Murray Junior League.
Heron had been absent from coaching for several years, but picked the task up with aplomb, and AFLGM credited her in a statement with displaying a “collegiate style and inclusive nature” at the Lions.
Meanwhile, Howard has been an ever-present stalwart of the GVL and its operations, receiving the Country Volunteer of the Year award.
Most recently Howard has served on the Regional Tribunal for seven years after holding roles over six decades in match day and executive functions with the GVL, having received life membership with the league.
Long service: Ian Howard was rewarded for 60-plus years of footballing service in the Goulburn Valley. Photo: AFL Victoria
Rochester received the AFL Community Club of the Year award for the work done to uplift the town’s population after last October’s flooding.
It is the latest of multiple recognitions for the club’s work this season, having already received the AFL’s version of the award for 2023.
Central to the Tigers’ efforts was the ‘‘My Shout’’ membership program, which incentivised buyers to contribute additional memberships to families and individuals free of charge.
Additionally, Rochester landed plaudits for offering on-site mental health services at its home games throughout the year.
“We appreciate each and every volunteer,” Connell said.
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