School Ambassadors of the Year announced
AFL (NSW/ACT) would like to congratulate the 33 regional winners of the School Ambassador of the Year award for season 2010. Click here for the full list of winners.
The work put in by Ben Robins (NSW secondary school winner), Christin Macri (NSW primary school winner) and Brad Lynch (ACT winner) was recognised further with the trio recently returning home following an all-expenses paid trip to Melbourne.
The trip included tickets to the qualifying final between Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs, as well as the pre-match function, and a guided tour of AFL House by AFL Academy Manager Jason McCartney.
AFL School Ambassador Bios
Ben Robins (NSW Secondary winner) – Belmont Christian College (Hunter)
*allowed AFL (NSW/ACT) to run primary school programs
*allowed AFL (NSW/ACT) to run secondary school programs
*allowed AFL (NSW/ACT) to run a community program
*installed AFL supported goal posts and a permanent marked AFL field on school playing field
*entered both boys and girls Paul Kelly Cup
*encouraged boys to participate in future stars program
*entered Swans Cup
*personally ran one of the best intra school comps (Y3-6) that you would ever see culminating in a grand final in front of the entire school K-12 with anthem, banners for teams to run through, running commentary and interviews, post match award ceremony with trophy, best on ground etc
*allowed club and community promotional opportunities
Ben has been a past regional winner but his efforts (K-12) deserve the opportunity to be further recognised this year.
Christin Macri (NSW Primary Winner) – Mater Dei Primary School (Southern NSW)
Christin has been involved in all facets of Australian Football in the Riverina. He has successfully hosted the McKillop trials in Wagga Wagga, as well as being the McKillop coach at the NSW PSSA Championships. He is the AFL ambassador at Mater Dei Primary school which has been involved with Paul Kelly Cup, School Intra competitions and After School Auskick. He has been the main focal point when developing these programs. Mater Dei Catholic College also hosted the first AFL holiday camp with over 200 kids participating, where Christin was the main contact. He also voluntarily put his hand up to be part of the GWS Schools Advisory panel for Southern NSW. He is a current Level 2 accredited coach and is a fine candidate for this award. Christin also spends his weekends assisting with Ganmain juniors and seniors
Brad Lynch (ACT Winner) is a secondary school PE teacher at Lyneham High School who actively promotes AFL within his school and football community. Brad is the coordinating teacher for the AFL program at the school and he is also the coach of some of the school teams that enter the secondary school competitions.
Brad is currently the AFL representative on the Secondary School Sports Association which works closely with the AFL to ensure that the programs are a success each year. He works closely with the AFL in this role to engage schools to be a part of the programs.
Brad this year was also involved in the National School Exchange as the ACT U15’s team manager and he is a passionate Melbourne supporter who gives great support to the ACT AFL development team.