Maureen Gathercole’s 30 years of dedicated service to the East Fremantle Football Club was recognised when she was presented the 2010 RAC Football Volunteer of the Year Award at the Sandover Medal, held on September 13.
Ms Gathercole was one of 17 finalists selected from over 500 nominees. She was thrilled to receive the award from West Coast Eagles coach John Worsfold and RAC representative Scott Marsh, who congratulated her on outstanding service to football.
Ms Gathercole, a former primary school teacher, hopes more young people will volunteer their time and effort to grassroots football.
As the 2010 RAC Football Volunteer of the Year, Ms Gathercole was the recipient of a trip for two to the AFL Grand Final, where she has also been invited to participate in the Grand Final parade and attend a Grand Final breakfast function.
She said she was very excited about attending this year’s AFL grand final, having wanted to for years but never being able to afford it. Ms Gathercole was nominated by East Fremantle District Manager Troy Kirkham, who described her as one of the most important people at the East Fremantle Football Club.
“Maureen simply does everything and even that is underestimating the role she plays at the club,” Mr Kirkham said.
“She has taken on many responsibilities within the club including the role of official club historian, editing the Shark Attack Member Magazine, assisting in the property room and repairing all of the club’s jumpers. In addition to this she attends the funerals of all past players and member of the East Fremantle Football Club.
“She also plays ‘mum’ to all the colts and development squad players, who she calls ‘her boys’. The way in which Maureen takes all new colts players under her wing to support them in their first true year at the club is a testament to the type of lady she is.
“She cooks for them, cares for them, boosts their self esteem when required and also keeps them grounded at other times. She does it all and then some,” Mr Kirkham said.
“She not only imparts her skills and energy in her volunteering but also imparts her love.”
Now in its fifth year, the award has grown to receive over 500 nominations. Anyone involved in football at any level was eligible to be nominated.
RAC Insurance General Manager Sales and Marketing Scott Marsh said the RAC was proud to be able to acknowledge someone as dedicated as Ms Gathercole.
“The RAC Football Volunteer of the Year Award is a great way to recognise those very important people who often don’t get a chance to shine,” Mr Marsh said.
“I would like to congratulate Ms Gathercole and all the finalists for the outstanding work they do for their local footy club.”
According to West Australian Football Commission Volunteer and Clubs Community Development Coordinator Glenn Morley, Western Australia has almost 50,000 volunteers involved with all different levels of Australian Rules football.
“Sometimes it is easy to forget all the time and effort people like coaches, managers, canteen helpers and Club committee members volunteer to make football possible in Western Australia,” he said.
“The aim of the RAC Football Volunteer of the Year is to highlight the contribution people like Maureen Gathercole make to grassroots football and without whom it would not be possible.”
