Backhouse honoured with Rising Star Award

With confirmation the 13th AFL Women’s National Championships will be held in Cairns in 2013, the AFL has announced the inaugural awarding of a Rising Star Medal.

The best rookie at the championships will receive the Melissa Backhouse Medal.

AFL Manager of Female Football Jan Cooper said Backhouse was a fantastic representative for women’s football and thoroughly deserved having a medal named after her.

“Mel has been a tireless worker at club and ACT representative level and instrumental at driving progress for female football at a National level,” Cooper said.

“It is fitting that Mel be recognised for her efforts.

“I am mindful that as we grow our player numbers and develop our female football culture, that those who have provided energy and time to the development of the game are valued and given a place in football history.

“By taking on the name of the Rising Star Medal, Mel will be recognised beyond the Nationals format when we instigate a National home and away format,” Cooper said.

Backhouse was humbled when told the news.

“I feel very privileged by this announcement,” she said.

“There are so many women who have given so much to football so I’m feeling grateful that I was selected.

“To have the Rising Star Medal is exciting because it means there will be some incredible players win the Medal over the years.”

MELISSA BACKHOUSE PROFILE

National Level

2001 – 72nd player to represent ACT (176 players have represented the ACT since 1998 and the ACT has played in every National Championships since their inception in 1998)
2001 – 2011 – Competed in nine National Championships (played in every National Championships except 2003 between 2001 and 2011)
2004 – ACT Player’s Player
2005 – All-Australian Team
2007 – Project Coordinator for AFL Women’s National Championships in Canberra
2011 – Played her 50th representative game for the ACT at the Women’s National Championships

ACT Women’s Australian Football League contribution
(Volunteer managed League)

2004 – 2008 – ACT representative at the National Female Football Advisory Council meeting
2005 – Director of Registrations
2006 – Director of Finance
2007 – President, ACT Women’s AFL
2008 – President, ACT Women’s AFL
2009 – President, ACT Women’s AFL
2008 – ACTWAFL Life Member (award instituted in 2007)