West Australian Football

South West Football Region volunteer Craig ‘Chunky’ Cahill has been named the 2008 RAC Football Volunteer of the Year.

Mr Cahill is a life member of both the Capel-Dardanup and South Bunbury Football Clubs and was announced as the winner ahead of 16 other Regional and District Finalists at the 2008 Sandover Medal last night. South Bunbury Vice President Ralph McColl nominated Chunky for the award and spoke of his volunteer work for the club.

“Chunky is a true worker in every sense. He marks the fields, works the kiosk, manages the list and does a lot of hard work around the club,” Mr McColl said.

Mr Cahill has dedicated himself to the club for more than a decade.  As Club President for the last nine years Mr Cahill manages football operations, takes equipment to away games and even manages catering at club functions. He is also the driving force behind the Saturday market days during the summer, raising much needed funds for the club.

As the 2008 RAC Football Volunteer of the Year, Mr Cahill has won an all expenses paid trip for two to the AFL Grand Final where he will be an honoured guest at the prestigious Olympic Room Function.

Western Australia was the first state to officially recognise the value of volunteers. Such is the success of the award that it has been adopted on a national scale. This year, the award winners from each state will march in the AFL Grand Final Parade. More than 180 nominations were received for the RAC Football Volunteer of the Year Award this year, which through the support of the RAC is set to grow even larger in coming years.

The RAC’s General Manager of Retail and Membership Michael Heath was at the Sandover Medal to congratulate Mr Cahill on his success

“Mr Cahill’s selfless attitude and dedication to his club is truly inspiring. Everyone at the club holds him in high regard and the RAC are proud to be able to honour him with the Volunteer of the Year Award,” Mr Heath said.

“The commitment shown by Mr Cahill and other volunteers is crucial to the growth of football in WA.  The RAC looks forward to continuing our support for football volunteers in the coming years.” 

WA Football Commission community development co-coordinator Glenn Morley said WA had more than 46,000 volunteers supporting the game of football.

“Each year we have approximately 40 000 games of football being played and without volunteers our game would be severely hamstrung,” he said.

“Volunteers are involved at all levels whether in the canteen, umpiring, peeling oranges, coaching or driving their kids for two hours to the game. The RAC WA Football Volunteer of the Year program aims to elevate the standing of volunteers. Just like you have star players and star coaches we want to recognise star volunteers.”