North Sydney rugby league volunteers honoured
The recent 6th Annual Northern Sydney Committee’s function honouring the North Sydney Bears Junior Rugby League Clubs’ and Referee’s Association Volunteers’ at the North Sydney Leagues Club was once again an enjoyable and outstanding success. It is a well-known fact that for our game of rugby league to survive and thrive, it is paramount that our junior players must continue to increase in numbers and the basic fundamentals of the game including fair play and proper behaviour on/off the field is instilled into them.
All junior league districts are fortunate to have dedicated teams of volunteers, who tirelessly work to ensure our junior league players have the optimum opportunities to develop and hone their playing skills to succeed in our game.
The North Sydney Junior Rugby League District is privileged to have an outstanding group of volunteers of the highest order and they were there in numbers at our function to participate in honouring their nominated Outstanding Best Club Persons/Volunteers. Each Club and the Referee’s Association had secretly nominated one volunteer from their ranks, who could be a Coach, Player, Selector, Referee, Official, Worker or Supporter with each nominated person being presented with a specially designed Men of League Foundation trophy honouring their efforts.
The successful nominees were:
- Bryan Summerhayes, Berowra Wallabies
- Lisa Doumit, Lane Cove Tigers
- Simone Dahlen, Pennant Hills/Cherrybrook Stags
- Mark Maltby, Ku-Ring-Gai Cubs
- Michael Huskic, Asquith Magpies
- Andrew Kaless, North Sydney Brothers
- Nick Asscher, Willoughby Roos
- Verity Nicolson, Hills Hawks
- Matt Girvan, North Sydney Junior League Volunteer 2017
- Scott Murray, North Sydney Referee’s Association
The expressions on each of the nominees faces were of surprise and delight to be recognised in such high esteem by their Club colleagues.
Another highlight of the evening was a very entertaining interview by Greg Florimo, General Manager, North Sydney Bears Rugby League Club with well-known and respected ex NRL/International players Steve Menzies, Joe Galuvao and South Sydney Rabbitoh’s player, Sifa Talakai. Topics covered included their starting days in the game, any peculiar personal habits during their playing careers and current rules.
The Northern Sydney Committee’s Organising Group of Norm Pounder, Fred Jackson and Ken Vessey, would like to thank everyone who participated and attended to make the event a success. They would also like to thank Greg Florimo and the Directors, North Sydney Leagues Club for their continued support, assistance and generosity. Last but not least they pass on their enormous thanks to Josh Hyland, North Sydney Bears Football Operations Manager for his tireless efforts in assistance in the organising and the smooth running during the event.
We look forward to our 7th Annual Awards in 2018.
By Ken Vessey
