AFL Barwon announce Community Award winners and namesakes

AFL BARWON recognised the region’s football and netball leaders at a Community Awards event held tonight (Friday, October 18).

The event at Geelong Library and Heritage Centre celebrated the coaches, administrators, umpires, trainers and club volunteers who are the lifeblood of local sporting clubs throughout the region.

Headlining the evening was the official naming of the Club of the Year award and the Senior Netball Coach of the Year.

Ian McTaggart was recognised for his dedication to community sport in the Geelong region with his name being given to the AFL Barwon Club of the Year Award.

McTaggart’s service dates to the Football Geelong Commission in 2000, and he continued his work throughout the formation of the Football and Netball Commission, which eventually became AFL Barwon.

 

He played a pivotal part in key projects including strategic planning, policy development, financial benchmarking for clubs, and the development and management of football and netball databases.

A life member of the Ocean Grove FNC and Bellarine FNL, McTaggart served his club for 25 years before shifting focus to regional administration.

He also spent years compiling historical records of premiers, goal kickers, and award recipients, ensuring that the region’s rich sporting heritage would be preserved for future generations.

As well as his extensive list of achievements, McTaggart’s mentorship of current and past AFL Barwon staff was described as invaluable.

AFL Barwon chair Michelle Gerdtz congratulated McTaggart on his lifetime of unwavering commitment to local sport.

“His passion and dedication have shaped the community in countless ways, making it hard to imagine a more deserving individual to have this prestigious award named in his honour.”

St Joseph’s Football Netball Club was awarded the 2024 Ian McTaggart Club of the Year Award.

The Senior Netball Coach of the Year award was named after the late great netball identity Joy Grubb.

Grubb’s remarkable career spanned several decades at multiple clubs in the Geelong area, leaving an indelible mark on players, officials, coaches and volunteers.

Renowned for her professional approach, Grubb was named Bellarine and District Netball Assocation Coach of the Century and earned the prestigious title of Netball Victoria Coach of the Year in 1994.

In 1995, she received the Netball Victoria State Distinction Award, followed by the Australian Sports Medal and Netball Victoria Life Membership in 2000.

Ms Grubb sadly passed away in September 2023.

Ms Gerdtz said honouring her was a fitting tribute for a lifelong contribution to netball.

“Joy dedicated a significant part of her life to netball in our region, profoundly influencing and positively guiding countless players.

“Her longstanding commitment to coaching made this decision an easy and clear choice in naming the award in her honour.”

Lisa Robinson of Newcomb FNC was awarded the Joy Grubb Senior Netball Coach of the Year.

This year’s award recipients were:

* Mental Health & Wellbeing Club of the Year – Ocean Grove

* Social Media & Communications Club of the Year – Queenscliff

* Leisure Networks Inclusive Club of the Year – Geelong West Giants

* John Edsall Award (Outstanding Service to Administration) – Angie Spinks (Barwon Heads)

* Leon Schram Football Administrator of the Year – Andrew Hill (East Geelong)

* Junior Netball Administrator of the Year – Stephanie Miles & Kirsten Clarke (South Barwon)

* Senior Football Administrator of the Year – Michael O’Leary (East Geelong)

* Senior Netball Administrator of the Year – Maddie Okley (Barwon Heads)

* Personality of the Year – Lana Anderson (St Albans)

* Peter Burke Award (Senior Football Coach of the Year) – Andy Walsgott & Brent Vermeulen (Belmont Lions)

* Rookie Me Female Football Coach of the Year – Taylah Hassett & Paul Price (Grovedale)

* Rookie Me Youth Football Coach of the Year – Sean Lever (Geelong West Giants)

* Youth Netball Coach of the Year – Lani Puttyfoot (Drysdale)

* Inclusive Coach of the Year – Luke Marruso (Geelong West Giants)

* Junior Netball Coach of the Year – Carly Hedlam (Queenscliff)

* Junior Football Coach of the Year – Brent Taylor (Drysdale)

*Auskick Coach of the Year – Fiona Neumann (Grovedale)

* Net Set Go Coach of the Year – Edwina Lidgerwood (Birregurra)

* Corio Bay Health Group Trainer of the Year – Cam Ward (Queenscliff)

* Football Umpire of the Year – Bailey Wilson

* Football Best First Year Umpire – Nate Patrick

* Football Rising Star Umpire – Shay Huby

* Netball Umpire of the Year – Woody Tangoora

* Netball Best First Year Umpire – Leni Hassett

* Netball Rising Star Umpire – Sharni Van Doren

* Hamlan Hanger of the Year – Jye Bartley (Barwon Heads)

* Geelong Homes Goal of the Year – Riley Moore (Geelong West Giants).

For more, head to www.aflbarwon.com.au