Nominations are now open for the 2026 WA Football Volunteer of the Year Awards.
The Volunteer of the Year Awards are a significant initiative undertaken by WA Football, supported by The Sunday Times, to recognise the invaluable contribution of volunteers to the development and success of our great sport.
2026 marks 20 years of the Awards, highlighting the value placed on volunteers, celebrating those who go above and beyond for their football community ensuring that footy takes place each week.
Volunteers can be nominated in one or more of the nine categories, including the prestigious WA Football Volunteer of the Year.
All category winners plus a Volunteer of the Year finalist from each of the 17 districts and regions from across the state will be recognised at the WA Football Volunteer of the Year Awards held at the WAFL Grand Final on Sunday 20 September.
At these awards, the 2026 WA Football Volunteer of the Year will be announced.
Winners in each category will be entered into the AFL National Volunteer of the Year Awards where the overall winners in each category will win an AFL grand final experience.
WA Football CEO Brad Wira declared how important volunteers are to football across the state and the awards are a deserving recognition.
“We’re proud to have such a committed group of community football volunteers across Western Australia, each playing a key role in ensuring our great game thrives,” Wira said.
“The WA Football Volunteer of the Year Awards is a fantastic way to honour and celebrate the invaluable contributions of our volunteers.
“We encourage everyone to nominate an unsung hero among the cohort of volunteers who contribute to the success of footy in WA.”
Last year’s WA Football Volunteer of the Year winner was Roleystone Junior Football Club’s Samantha Saffioti who was selected from more than 2,000 nominations.
Samantha’s volunteer journey which spans 26 years highlights not only her dedication to the club but also the important role football clubs play in supporting their community.
Winners in each category are entered into the AFL National Volunteer of the Year Awards where the overall winners in each category win an AFL grand final experience.
In 2025 Samnatha was selected as the AFL National Volunteer of the Year winner where she not only won an AFL experience, but a new car.
Nominations can be made in Nine categories at thankavolunteer.com.au
Award Categories
WA Football Volunteer of the Year| recognises an individual who has given their time and effort to support the football community. This could include helping to organise events, fundraising, or other volunteer activities.
AFL School Teacher of the Year | recognises an individual who has made a significant contribution to their school community through football.
Community Club Coach of the Year male & female| recognises a community Coach, Assistant Coach or Coach Coordinator who has shown exceptional leadership, commitment, and dedication to their role and the sport of football.
Community Club of the Year | recognises a football club that goes above and beyond to support its players, volunteers, families and wider community instilling a positive club culture and a safe and inclusive environment.
Community Umpiring Service | recognises an umpire who has consistently demonstrated fair play, sportsmanship, and professionalism while officiating games.
Disability Inclusion Ambassador | recognises the outstanding work of a volunteer in promoting the inclusion of people with disability in football.
First Nations & Multicultural Ambassador | recognises the outstanding work of a first nations or multicultural volunteer that promotes inclusion for first nations and/or multicultural communities in football.
NAB AFL Auskick Volunteer of the Year| recognises an individual who has gone above and beyond to support the Auskick program.
Young Leader of the Year | recognises an individual aged 15 – 25 years who has made an outstanding voluntary commitment over the past year and positively impacted the lives of others.
Nominations close 5.00pm Monday 6 July 2026.
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WA Football acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the many lands across Western Australia where we train, play, and come together through football. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all First Nations people. We recognise the deep and continuing contribution First Nations peoples make to our game and our communities.
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