2020 AFL Sapphire Coast Volunteers of the Year
2020, the year unlike no other!
And for that reason, it seems unfair to just single out one (or in this case two) volunteers out, however two individuals from our football community went above and beyond on many fronts, highlighting the critical role sport, and in our case Australian Rules Football, plays in local communities.
It is with great pleasure that we announce that the joint 2020 AFL Sapphire Coast Volunteers of the Year are Jason Raeck of the Merimbula Diggers and Nic Crowe of the Eden Whalers.
In any ‘normal’ year, both Jas and Nic would be more than worthy winners for the tireless work they put in week-in-week-out behind the scenes for 12 months of the year, to ensure their football club gets players on the park and matches played, but 2020 they did so much more. During the bush fires over January, both Nic and Jason jumped to action when locals and tourists alike needed help, and ensured that their home grounds (Berrambool Oval and Barclay St Oval) were opened and available to be used as emergency evacuation centres. And were they ever! 100’s and 100’s of people utilised the grounds and clubs services over numerous days and both clubs, led by Nic and Jason, provided their temporary residents with everything they needed – from hot showers and running water, to food and drink, to lighting and most importantly safety.
To try and list the number of roles that Jason and Nic fulfill for their club in a football sense would not do justice to the work they do. I know how much Jas and Nic are respected and admired from within their own clubs, but also the wider Sapphire Coast community – not just football circles.
Both humble and unassuming, Jas and Nic are selfless individuals who don’t do any of their work for praise or thanks, but to provide the best environment for their club and the code in the Sapphire Coast.
Jason and Nic – we salute you, and thank you for all of your efforts not just across 2020, but for so many years prior!
Congratulations!
