WA Football Volunteer of the Year announced in 20-year anniversary celebration

Bruce Rock and Eastern Districts Football League stalwart John Foss was announced as the prestigious WA Football Volunteer of the Year at Optus Stadium at the Sullivan Logistics WAFL Grand Final on Sunday.

WA Football celebrated the 2026 district and regional Volunteers of the Year and category winners at a special function held on WAFL Grand Final day.

The WA Football Volunteer of the Year program reached its two-decade milestone this year and shines a spotlight on the dedicated and hard-working volunteers across the State who keep community football thriving.

As part of the 20-year anniversary, past winners were formally acknowledged at the event.

Foss first got involved in footy back in 1953 as a 16-year-old with Ardath Football Club. He later played with the Bruce Rock Football Club, where he continued until his retirement at the age of 38 in 1975.

At club level, he served as President of the Bruce Rock Football Club for six years.

He has also contributed as a coach and has remained actively involved in supporting club operations, including ongoing assistance with the club cropping program. Notably, he continues to serve as the club’s weekly timekeeper.

At league level, he was an Eastern Districts Football League Director for seven years, including two years as Vice President, and went on to serve as EDFL President.

During his tenure, he also held the position of Umpires Director for five years.

Foss contributed extensively to representative football and league events, assisting at Landmark Country Football Championships and Great Southern Country Championships.

His dedication, leadership, and tireless service over more than 60 years have left a lasting and positive impact on both the Bruce Rock Football Club and the wider football community.

The Bruce Rock Football Club and EDFL Life Member received $4000 and a year’s subscription to the Sunday Times as part of his award.

There were also a couple of AFL Merit Award winners from WA recognised – Metro South Regional Development Council Chair Anthony Doig and Wayne Paul, President of the East Kimberley and South East Kimberley football leagues.

Doig has made an outstanding and lasting contribution to junior football within the East Fremantle District and the wider WA football community, while Paul is the driving force behind football in the East Kimberley ensuring sustainability of the game in the Region.

“WA Football congratulates John Foss on winning this year’s WA Football Volunteer of the Year Award,” WA Football Chair Ian Callahan said.

“John has been involved in football for more than 60 years and is such a deserving winner for his significant contribution to Bruce Rock Football Club, the Eastern District Football League and the wider football community.

“It was fantastic to recognise all the past WA Football Volunteer of the Year winners and have so many of them in the room to celebrate the 20-year milestone of the awards.

“Volunteers are the lifeblood of football around our State and it’s important that we continue to recognise their invaluable contribution to our great game.”

“The Awards are an opportunity to recognise volunteers who willingly give their time to ensure football continues to thrive across the State,” WA Football Volunteer Engagement Specialist Jenné Emberson added.

“Having so many Volunteer of the Year award winners from the past 20 years attend the event was a huge highlight, many of whom still continue to volunteer in football today.

“WA Football congratulates all of the 2026 Volunteer of the Year award recipients and thanks them for their passion and dedication to football.”