26 WEEKENDSPORT Gippsland Weekend| Friday, August 28, 2026 Football volunteers recognised It's great to see so many Gippslanders nominated for the 2026 AFL National Volunteer Awards. Football in Gippsland is built on the dedication of volunteers who give their time, energy and passion to support their clubs, players and communities. It's great to recognise the individuals, clubs and organisations who have been nominated by their peers for the 2026 AFL National Volunteer Awards. Being nominated is a fantastic achievement and a reflection of the positive impact these volunteers have on community football. Congratulations to all nominees on this welldeserved recognition, your commitment helps create opportunities, strengthen clubs and ensure our game continues to thrive across Gippsland. The successful Victorian award recipients will be announced in the coming weeks and months. NOMINEES AFL NATIONAL COMMUNITY FOOTBALL MEDIA AWARD - Casey Maisey, Lindenow Football Netball Club (A Kick in the Bush) AFL COMMUNITY COACH OF THE YEAR - Brad Caldwell, West End Juniors and Traralgon Football Netball Club - Josh Chenoweth, SGUA - Joel Fanning, Ellinbank Juniors - Adam Tagliaferro, Nyora Juniors - Matthew Aslett, Longwarry Juniors AFL NATIONAL COMMUNITY FOOTBALL PHOTOGRAPHY - Kevin Hood, Paynesville Football Netball Club - Deb Taylor, Morwell Football Netball Club AFL SCHOOLS - TEACHER OF THE YEAR - Rick White, Trafalgar Primary School NAB AFL AUSKICK VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - Troy Dawes, Lindenow South - Samantha Manu Wells, Mallacoota TOYOTA AFL COMMUNITY CLUB OF THE YEAR - Bairnsdale Football Netball Club - Cowwarr Football Netball Club - Hill End and Grove Rovers Football Netball Club TOYOTA AFL COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - Garry Blair, Cowwarr Football Netball Club - Susie Edwards, Buchan Football Netball Club - Shaun Hecker, Churchill Football Netball Club - David Trotman, MDU Football Netball Club - Jess Frost, Yarragon Football Netball Club - Dom Galati, Lindenow Football Netball Club - Todd Alexander, Lindenow Football Netball Club - Jessica Madeley, Drouin Football Netball Club TOYOTA AFL COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - Kirby Harmer, Paynesville Football Netball Club - David Miller, Hallora Juniors Football Netball Club - Steve Stainsby, Inverloch-Kongwak Football Netball Club - Ash Renault, Orbost Snowy Rovers Football Netball Club - Shelley O'Connor, Paynesville Football Netball Club - Jarryd Guganovic, Toora Football Netball Club - Owen Drummond, Rosedale Juniors - Ashlee McGibney, Drouin Juniors The Stratford Junior Football Club recently held its presentation night, with the under 11 award winners, Thomas Beechey (best and fairest), Mitch Bates (runner-up best and fairest), Chrissy Villiva (coaches award), Luca Falzon (most determined) and Cody Williams (most consistent). In the under 13s the awards went to Brock Hensgen (best and fairest), Archie Noonan (runner-up best and fairest), Leo Mayman (coaches award), and Charlie McKinley (most consistent), Charlie Gartung (most determined). (PS) Stacey Bates was the winner of the Maude and Norm Above and Beyond award. (PS) The finals race is heating up, with the East Gippsland Football Netball League playing out its first round of finals on Saturday, August 22 at the Lucknow Recreation Reserve and Sunday, August 23 at Bairnsdale City Oval. In the senior football, Lindenow booked a ticket straight into the grand final after defeating Boisdale Briagolong, while in “A” grade netball Lucknow defeated Stratford to go through to the big dance on September 5. after in “A September 5. Stra on S
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