School ambassadors of the year announced

AFL NSW/ACT is pleased to announce Coffs Harbour’s Kellie Reinhold, Canberra’s Mark Armstrong and Wagga Wagga’s James Burgess have been named the School Ambassadors of the Year.

The three teachers have played an integral role in the development of Australian football at Bishop Druitt College, Erindale College and Wagga Public School respectively this year.

They have all excelled as ambassadors promoting AFL within their school, encouraging their school to take part in AFL programs and competitions while also creating strong links with their local clubs.

General Manager – AFL NSW/ACT Tom Harley said it’s a fitting reward to be named the School Ambassador of the Year.

“School teachers play such a key role in the development of the code and I cannot thank every teacher enough for their contribution over the years,” Harley said.

“For a lot of children growing up in NSW and the ACT, the first time they come in contact with the game is through their teachers.

“Through the support of all ambassadors, AFL is in a really healthy state at the moment with participation rates booming and school competitions reaching record heights. 

“While AFL NSW/ACT can only recognise three teachers a year and regional winners, congratulations must be extended to all teachers for their outstanding commitment and dedication.”

As a reward for their excellent contributions, Kellie, Mark and James won an all expenses paid trip for two to Melbourne where they had a tour of AFL House and also attended the Carlton v Essendon blockbuster elimination final.

The ambassadors also got to meet GWS GIANTS coach Kevin Sheedy.

The AFL School Ambassador program aims to have an AFL ambassador in every school across Australia. Ambassadors help to promote Australian football at their school by getting kids actively participating and learning the game.

Currently there are over 4800 ambassadors throughout the country with close to 900 of these residing in NSW/ACT.

There are a number of resources available to teachers including school ambassador packs, curriculum materials, invitations to attend ambassador functions, tickets to AFL games, subsidised equipment and access to coaching and umpiring courses.

Any school teacher can become an ambassador by contacting Mark Ayers at mark.ayers@afl.com.au.

Kellie, Mark and James were selected as the three state winners following their outstanding contributions this year:

Kellie Reinhold (Bishop Druitt College)

• Putting an entire year 7 of 150 students through an intra program
• Organising a gala day as a  follow up to the intra program for all year 7
• Organising the primary school sports teacher at her school to put 150 year 4 and 6 students through School Auskick
• Hosting the Umpires Roadshow with Senior PD/H/PE class
• Hosting Sydney Swans players during the Telstra Community Camps
• Been actively involved in attending Ambassador functions and networking opportunities

Mark Armstrong (Erindale College)

• Mark has played a key role over the past few years as an advisor to AFL NSW/ACT for college sport
• Mark has always been a strong promoter of the game to students as well as the development programs
• Mark’s talented player program allows students to gain further skills and knowledge of the game while still at school
• Mark always seeks to provide opportunities such as player visits for his school and students to enrich their learning and enthusiasm of the game
• Mark was one of the first school ambassadors signed up and his role with Greater Western Sydney is again important in the promotion of the game and the GWS GIANTS in schools
• Erindale College is also an active participant in college competitions and this year the Girls Opens team in which Mark coached won the GIANTS state final.

James Burgess (Wagga Public School)

• James is the Riverina PSSA Coach. In 2011 the Riverina side won the state championships
• He has organised all PSSA trials in the Riverina region
• James has also been in contact with the AFL in regards to purchasing new jumpers for both Wagga Public and the Wagga PSSA
• James was the sole organiser behind a representative match between the Wagga juniors and his Riverina PSSA side. This will now become an annual event.
• James’s proactive attitude has seen Wagga Public participate in the Paul Kelly Cup boys,  Paul Kelly Cup girls, Tony Lockett Shield, School intra programs
• He has also been instrumental in assisting with the first after school Auskick centre at Wagga Public with over 50 registrations
• Both Sydney Swans and GWS GIANTS have visited Wagga Public under James’s leadership
• James also assisted with manning stations at the very successful GIANTS and Swans superclinics

As part of the school ambassador program, there were also 31 regional winners announced:

David Coon (Chatswood Public School), Penny Lineham (Mater Maria Catholic College), Anne Fulton-Boote (Oakhill Drive Public School), Rebecca Wade (Cheltenham Girls), Andrew Christie-Murray (Warilla High School), John Good (Shellharbour Public School), David Musgrove (Tudor House), Chris Kolouris (Clemton Park Public School), Rick Joyce (St. Patricks College), John Eccleston (Glenfield Public School), Michaela Chaffey (Ashcroft High School), Belinda King (Randwick Public School), Paul Ruemor (Holy Spirit Lakemba), Ben Robins (Belmont Christian College), Daniel Gardner (St Phillips Christian College), Don Begg (Gwandalan Public School), Damian Tomsett (Mackillop Catholic School), Ian Clifford (Yamba Public School), Kellie Reinhold (Bishop Druitt College), David Corcoran (Gordon Primary School), Mark Armstrong (Erindale College), Tracey Wellington (Cambewarra Public School), Kim Preston (Narooma High School), Robert McPherson (Bowen Public School), Spencer Calveley (Blayney High School), Darren Devereux (Bunnaloo Primary), Lisa Radley (Barham High School), James Burgess (Wagga Wagga Public School), Matthew Hope (Kildare Catholic College), Ken Mansell (Hume Public School) and Mark Sanson (Xavier High School).