Donnybrook Football Club volunteer honoured

South West district volunteer Rod Atherton has been recognised for over 40 years of service at the Donnybrook Football Club after he was awarded The Sunday Times WA Football Volunteer of the Year at the WAFL Sandover Medal Count on Monday September 21.

Mr Atherton was one of the 17 regional and district finalists chosen from 2740 nominees this year and has received a trip for two to the AFL Grand Final.

Rod has volunteered in numerous roles during his time with Donnybrook Football Club including junior, reserves and league coach, Football Director and most recently, Club President.

“Rod just picks up everything. Nothing is too much trouble for him. He’ll help anybody out, ” Donnybrook FC Treasurer Cheray Freeman said.

Rod was an integral part of the Donnybrook FC’s unprecedented success during his time as Football Director, with the club playing in five consecutive South West Football League Grand Finals and winning three successive premierships in 1998 through to 2000.

“He is the life and soul of it. I can’t think of anybody who’s more deserving to win the volunteer of the year award,” Mrs Freeman said.

Mrs Freeman said volunteers, like Rod, are crucial to a small country town football club, which is such an important part of the town’s identity.

“I can’t think of anyone else that I’ve met whose more deserving of the award. He’s an absolute treasure,” Mrs Freeman said.

Rod assumed the role of Club President in 2012, a time when the club was suffering severe financial hardship.

Rod restored the club’s finances by securing Local and State Government funding grants which helped initiate a $100 000 clubroom expansion.

West Australian Football Commission Club Development Manager Glenn Morley congratulated Mr Atherton on his win, and emphasized the important role volunteers play in the WA grassroots football community.

“There are so many aspects of our game that just wouldn’t happen without the dedication and commitment of our volunteers and it’s really important that they are recognised,” Mr Morley said.

“Volunteers are involved at all levels of the game whether it’s in the canteen, umpiring, coaching or driving their kids to and from the game. Just like there are star players and star coaches, we want to recognise star volunteers and it is thanks to The Sunday Times that we can do this.”

The Sunday Times WA Football Volunteer of the Year Award has grown significantly since 2007 with 74 nominations, reaching just over 1400 nominations in 2012 and then doubling again in the last three years.

Photo: Volunteer of the Year Rod Atherton with Sport and Recreation Minister Mia Davies at Sandover Medal Count.

FINALISTS

First

Last

District

Belinda

Parry

Peel

Charmaine

Rogers

Claremont

Cameron

Perry

Midwest

Geoff

Davis

Kimberley

Ian

Clune

Wheatbelt

Jamie

Wynne

Subiaco

Jason

Stevens

Midlands

Jeremy

Sutherland

Great Southern

Lenny

Anderson

East Fremantle

Linda

King

Swans

Mark

Paparone

Goldfields

Nathan

Crookes

South Fremantle

Nat

Sharman

West Perth

Rob

Greersen

East Perth

Rod

Atherton

South West

Ross

White

Perth

Steven

Knight

Pilbara