WA Football's Volunteer of the Year winners celebrated on WAFL Grand Final dayThursday, September 25, 2025 - 12:36 PM - by Jordan McArdle

WA Football celebrated the 2025 district and regional Volunteers of the Year and category winners at a special function held on WAFL Grand Final day at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

The WA Football Volunteer of the Year program is now in its 19th year and shines a spotlight on the dedicated and hard-working volunteers across the State who keep community football thriving.

There were 25 winners across WA in various categories, headlined by long-serving Roleystone Junior Football club volunteer Samantha Saffioti who won the prestigious WA Football Volunteer of the Year Award.

In addition to her state prize of $4000 and a year’s subscription to the Sunday Times, Saffioti won an AFL Grand Final experience and a Toyota Corolla hybrid valued at more than $40,000 after being crowned AFL Volunteer of the Year.

“We are extremely proud of Samantha’s selection for the national award, a truly fitting recognition of 26 years of volunteering in community football,” Jenné Emberson, Club Development and Volunteer Specialist at WA Football, said.

“The WA Football Volunteer of the Year program, in its 19th year, recognises and celebrates the dedicated volunteers from across the State who give their time to ensure community football is accessible to all West Australians.

“Through the contributions of volunteers like Samantha and the other 24 winners who were awarded at the function at the WAFL Grand Final, ensures that community football thrives and is accessible to all.”

“The event was a celebration of volunteering and a fitting way to highlight volunteers from community football and schools who dedicate hundreds of hours annually to ensure we provide opportunities for all West Australians to play the greatest game in the world. WA Football is grateful to all our volunteers and especially pleased to reward this cohort as leaders of their clubs.” WA Football’s Executive Manager – Participation & Program Strategy, Chris Bandy, added.

Ellenbrook Junior Football Club’s Dan Hilton also won the national AFL Disability Inclusion Ambassador of the Year and is also off to the AFL Grand Final.

WA Football Volunteer of the Year Award Winners:

AFL School Teacher – Scott Faulkner, Court Grammer School

Community Club Coach, Female – Katherine Dann, Cable Beach Football and Sporting Club

Community Club Coach, Male – Brett Von Bergheim, Whitford JFC

Community Club of the Year – Donnybrook FC

Community Umpire Service – Michael Kaufman, Perth Football League

Disability Inclusion Ambassador – Dan Hilton, Ellenbrook JFC

NAB AFL Auskick Volunteer – Rachel Kemp, Kingsley JFC

Young Volunteer of the Year – Josh Kirk, Wagin FC

Claremont District - Ryan Lloyd, North Beach JFC

East Fremantle District – Nikki Hevron, East Fremantle JFC

East Perth District - Michael Bassett, Ballajura JFC

Goldfields Region – Kara Murphy, Newton-Condingup FC

Great Southern Region – Brad Harvey, Railways FC

Kimberley Region - Tim Brooker, West Kimberley JFL

Midlands Region – Greg Jones, York FC

Midwest Region - Grant Russell, Railway FC

Peel District – Darren Birch, Waroona JFC

Perth District – Michelle Kinsman, Vic Park JFC

Pilbara Region – Roxie Kleine-Deters, Newman JFC

South Fremantle District – Samantha Saffioti, Roleystone JFC

South West Region – Natalie Fimmano, Harvey FC

Subiaco District – Paul Valentino, Carine JFC

Swan Districts – Anthony Jerkovich, Bassendean JFC

West Perth District – Danielle Borrie, Wanneroo JFC

Wheatbelt Region - Kenny Quartermaine, Katanning FC