Driving recognition for beloved community volunteers
Photo: Nat Sports Media
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Nominations are now open across Australia for the 2024 Toyota AFL National Volunteer of the Year Awards, with local clubs and leagues encouraged to recognise valued members of the community.
For the first time in the award’s history, two winners nationally will walk away with a brand new Toyota vehicle including recipients of the Toyota AFL Community Volunteer of the Year and Toyota AFL Young Leader of the Year.
With nominations aptly opening at the start of National Volunteer Week, clubs and leagues can submit individuals across 10 categories ranging from AFL Diversity Ambassador of the Year, AFL Schools Teacher of the Year to the AFL National Community Umpiring Service Award.
Clubs around the country can also be nominated for the Toyota Community Club of the year, while a local school who has reached the ‘Hall of Fame’ membership tier in the AFL Schools program has the chance to claim the AFL Schools – School of the Year Award.
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Each state and territory association will award local winners in each category at the end of the season, with those recipients then considered for national titles.
AFL Executive General Manager of Game Development, Rob Auld, encouraged football communities to start submitting nominations.
“I’m delighted nominations are now open for the 2024 Toyota AFL National Volunteer of the Year Awards and for the first time, thanks to our partner Toyota, we can award two national winners with a brand-new car,” Auld said.
“We are very lucky to have an incredible number of passionate volunteers who dedicated their time every week to our game, they truly are the heart and soul communities and I encourage everyone to start submitting their nominations.”
Toyota Chief Marketing Officer, Vin Naidoo, said the Toyota AFL National Volunteer Awards were an excellent opportunity for local clubs to showcase their dedicated volunteers.
“Volunteers are the backbone of grassroots sport – without them, clubs across Australia would not be able to thrive in the way that they do,” Mr. Naidoo said.
“We are proud to support such an important national initiative, to recognise and encourage those who give back to their community in immeasurable ways.
“If you know someone at your local footy club who’s gone above and beyond for the community, please make sure to nominate them.”
The AFL has more than 200,000 passionate and dedicated volunteers around the country who give up their time each week for our game and for their community. As a testament to this incredible number, last year, the AFL received more than 1,000 nominations nationally for the Toyota AFL National Volunteer of the Year Awards.
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The 12 categories for the 2024 Toyota AFL National Volunteer of the Year Awards are:
– Toyota AFL Community Volunteer
– Toyota Young Leader of the Year (Under 25 years of age)
– Toyota Community Club of the Year
– NAB AFL Auskick Volunteer of the Year
– AFL Diversity Ambassador of the Year
– AFL Disability Inclusion Ambassador of the Year
– AFL National Community Umpiring Service Award
– AFL Community Coaches of the Year (Women & Men)
– AFL Schools – Teacher of the Year
– AFL Schools – School of the Year
– AFL National Community Football Media Award
– AFL National Community Football Photography Award
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Prizes include:
- – $200 e-gift voucher for all state and territory winners
- – The 13 national winners also receive an AFL Grand Final experience
- – The 2024 Toyota AFL National Community Volunteer of the Year and Toyota Young Leader of the Year will also win a Toyota Corolla Hatch SX Hybrid valued at approx. $40,289.00
- – Full details of all prizes with a total value of $132,000 are available within the T&Cs
