Allen McKee

Club Legend 2019

Referred to as a highly regarded individual, Allen has been dedicated to Junior development at the Try Boys Basketball Club for over 40 years, and is described as the face of the club.

Allen has coached at the Try Boys Basketball Club for over 40 years. He has been exceptionally dedicated to the junior development coaching and training for the Under 10 Boys and Girls and Under 12 Girls for over five years. He has two weeks off at Christmas however he is the only coach who continues to conduct training sessions year round for those wishing to continue a develop. Allen also spends time teaching players individually who wish to improve their skills. Prior to his current role, Allen was involved in coaching ‘Bearcubs’, a development program for children who have never played at a competition level.

During his time at Try Boys, he has coached all age groups for boys, girls, men and women. Allen currently coaches the Division One Women team (the clubs most Elite Female team), one of their Division Two Women’s team and their younger members. He has been a coach, referee and player since he started off as a junior himself. His dedication to basketball and the club is second to none and a big reason why we have seen continued and significant growth in their junior teams. Allen has been a Life Member of Try Boys Basketball Club for over 20 years. He continues to be an integral part of their club and is a significant reason to their large number of teams and players.

Lorraine Kulic

Club Legend 2019

Lorraine joined the Lara Giants Basketball Club over 8 years ago when there was only 5 members. She began as a general member, who was then later appointed to Secretary. Lorraine used her positive influence and friendly personality to give people the courage to join a committee. Lorraine’s positive attitude saw her to be voted in as Vice President nearly 3 years ago. Since then, the club has become the biggest basketball club in Geelong. Lorraine is the driving force behind securing the club’s future with major new sponsorships and securing grants for the club’s strategic plan and vision. Lorraine’s determination is inspiring and admired by fellow committee and club members.

Sarah Naylor

Trailblazer 2019

Sarah has been an active member of the Geelong West Giants club for three years and has undertaken many different roles throughout this time. Previously, she was with Geelong West Sporting Club (Cheetahs) and merged the Geelong West St Peters in 2016/17. Whilst at Geelong West Giants, Sarah has been a senior netball player, senior women’s football player (current), senior football trainer (current), trainer coordinator (current) and head of senior Football (current). Senior football includes two senior GFNL men’s teams, two senior GDFNL men’s teams, two senior women’s teams and two U19 men’s teams. Sarah was also appointed by AFL Barwon as the inaugural senior women’s interleague football team manager in 2019.

Sarah has the biggest job at the Geelong West Giants sports club. She needs to coordinate and bring together players across all the teams. This is done whilst still playing senior women’s football and being a trainer to senior men’s on a Saturday. The Geelong West Giants was a merger of two clubs and Sarah has the mammoth task of bringing them together whilst also being in an area that has been the domain of males. It has been a great challenge for her and she has been doing a fantastic job bringing together a ‘one club’ football department and culture, coordinating coaches across leagues and liaising with two football leagues. Sarah also needs to work with both their junior and netball departments so they can ensure policy and process is consistent across the club and recognized by all.

Rohan Greeves

Trailblazer 2019

Having become President when he was only 23 years old, Rohan is approaching his 11th year at the Geelong Touch Football Club. Throughout his time, Rohan has refereed over 500 games for the club and is described as an incredibly hard worker who never gives up when it comes to every aspect of touch football.

Rohan is said to have made a massive impact on touch football, and the club states that they would be lost without him in Geelong. Rohan has helped run and referee several Touch Football events, as well as arranged a game of Touch Football at Kardinia Park during half time at the Melbourne Storm practice match. Rohan is always helping and encouraging people become involved at the club.

Jesse Sutton

People’s Choice 2019

At only 21 years of age, Jesse’s impact on the Ocean Grove Football / Netball Club has been described as impressive and reflective of her extremely sweet and determined personality. As a very well-liked individual at the club, Jesse demonstrates excellent sportsmanship and is a mentor to the club’s younger players and her peers. Jesse actively seeks input from all members and always includes them in all aspects, regardless if they’re from the most junior of netballers to the men’s and women’s football teams.

Jesse has both played and coached since her junior years at the club and since then, has accepted more responsibility in other areas. The club states they are truly lucky to have such a positive and hardworking member like Jesse who deserves to be acknowledged for her involvement in community sport.

Cliff Grinter

People’s Choice 2019

Cliff celebrates 75 years of ongoing connection to his beloved St Albans Football Club. It was his late father (Wally Grinter) who was the previous club president, that introduced young Cliff in 1944 to the club where he’s been ever since. From a club player to a club coach, Cliff then began his 18 year venture as Club President, the longest the club has seen in it’s 140 year history. Cliff has also been the Club Delegate and Grounds Trustee, where he has overseen multiple building improvements, with rooms now being named in his honour. Inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame, Cliff epitomizes the true meaning of a Club Legend. People like Cliff are rare, especially given his continual service and commitment.

David Rea

Club Legend 2018

Dave Rea founded Barwon Soccer club 26 years ago, just after he arrived in Australia. Over this time, Dave has filled many roles including player, coach, parent, handy man, pitch line marker, canteen and bar volunteer, committee member, secretary, treasurer, stand in referee, Club President and senior female coach just to name a few! There is no job too big or too small that Dave does not want to be involved with. Dave is the life and soul of Barwon Soccer Club.

Through dedication, passion for the game and against all odds, Dave has slowly grown the club and today it has become one of Geelong’s largest community soccer clubs: it has over 500 junior and senior members.

Dave has been involved in establishing and hosting the Club’s annual ladies day which recognises all our female players and raises money for charities. He has also established a system to support young players and families who are unable to pay for sport club fees.

Dave has created a community at Barwon, bringing many families together from all over the world, providing a safe and supportive environment for people of all ages to come together and play the sport they love or watch their children play.

Dave’s values of honesty, respect and hard work flow through the club. Dave is a true gentleman and is and will always be a club legend at Barwon Soccer Club.

Rod Smith

Club Legend Runner-Up 2018

Rod Smith has served the Portarlington Demons Football and Netball Club for more than five decades. He has held a variety of roles since he first became involved in 1965.

A colourful character around the club – Smithy can be found at the clubrooms from the crack of dawn until clean-up time on match-days; and every training night regardless of the weather. His current official titles are umpires escort and masseur.

As well as his official duties, Smithy prepares the snacks for the training squads every Tuesday night. He also supports the playing group at Thursday night training and on match day supplying equipment from tape through to bandages.

Smithy has been part of the Demons for more than a third of its 144 year history. When many in Portarlington think of the football/netball club, they think of Smithy and his significant contribution to the football club and the town.

Scott Smith

People’s Choice 2018

Scott Smith has been part of the Newcomb Power Football Netball Club for many years. In the past six years as Junior Football Coordinator, he has taken the club from just 20 Auskickers to over 200 junior footballers – counting boys, girls and 60 Auskickers.

Scott runs football clinics at five local schools and an annual super clinic at Newcomb Power for these kids. Scott tirelessly fundraises to improve the junior footballers’ facilities and is always looking for opportunities to maintain a fun and inclusive program.

Scott is always at the club, larger than life, greeting everyone with a smile and a good natured joke. He is always looking for opportunities to include children who aren’t playing footy at the club and finds a way so they feel useful and included. He is a terrific club role model for many reasons – he makes himself accessible to children and parents, demonstrates respect to all he encounters, shows playing football should be fun and leads the charge in pitching in to help out when required.

Scott is a huge part of not only the Newcomb Power club, but the wider Geelong football community who appreciate how much effort he puts into making the club the family friendly, inclusive environment it is today.

Roger Allen

Club Legend 2017

Roger Allen was recognised for his dedication, commitment and patience in nurturing his club’s members and instilling a love of sport, confidence and life skills, specifically in those less fortunate.

Claire Barnes

Club Legend Runner-Up 2017

Claire Barnes was the 2017 Club Legend Runner-Up, as her contribution has ensured the long term success of the Club which is now the largest regional hockey club in Victoria with 313 members.

Josip Zilic

People’s Choice 2017

Josip Zilic was the inaugural winner of the People’s Choice Award in 2017 with his work at the North Geelong Warriors Football Club.