Volunteer of the Year announced

AFL NSW/ACT is pleased to announce the winner of the 2011 Volunteer of the Year award is Chair of the South Coast AFL Juniors Committee, Sharen Balazic.

Balazic is the second recipient of the award in the South Coast region in as many years. She is a deserving winner having provided over 16 years of service to the development of junior football.

Balazic first became involved in AFL when her son started playing in 1995. From then, she was hooked and has undertaken a number of roles since.

In the late 1990’s, Balazic joined the committee of the Nowra Blues Juniors before becoming president of South Coast Junior AFL years later.

Today, Balazic is Chair of the South Coast AFL Junior Committee, Board Member of the South Coast AFL (senior) and is also a life member of the Nowra Blues Juniors.

“I’m speechless, I didn’t even know I had been nominated. It’s an honour [to win the award], that’s for sure,” Balazic said.

“It’s very rewarding to see the kids out there playing football.”

AFL on the South Coast is currently booming with 14,000 participants each year (up from 7,000 four years ago). A number of players are also coming through the AFL NSW/ACT Talented Player Program including Collingwood scholarship holder Elijah Edwards.

New competitions, clubs and Youth Girls leagues have also been set up in the area as a result of the growing interest in the game. 

“We’re doing really well because we’ve got the family atmosphere,” Balazic said.

“Maybe it’s just because the girls are in charge though, between Katy Daniels (South Coast AFL President) and I.”

Sydney Swans player Marty Mattner said the AFL Volunteer of the Year award is a great recognition for all of the hard work put in over the years.
 
“Congratulations Sharen Balazic for your outstanding contribution to the game,” Mattner said.

“Coming from a community football club myself as a junior, I know how hard volunteers work behind the scenes for their leagues and clubs.
“I’ve been the beneficiary of the dedication and commitment volunteers play in the game to help me reach my dreams of playing in the AFL.

“While there could only be one winner of the state award, I think it is integral to acknowledge the contribution all volunteers make throughout the state and territory.

“Without you, no AFL player would be where they are today.”

As part of her award, Balazic receives a trip for two to the 2011 Toyota AFL Grand Final. She was chosen as the overall winner from a pool of 28 regional winners across NSW and the ACT. 

Upon considering nominations from all 28 regions, the judging panel not only looked at the considerable hard work of all the candidates, but also the legacy provided by the volunteers to football as a result of their efforts.

As part of the AFL NSW/ACT Volunteer Recognition Program, the 28 Volunteer of the Year regional winners will be recognised at local functions held towards the end of their respective football seasons. 

AFL NSW/ACT will also announce the Coach of the Year state and regional awards in the coming weeks.