Rochester volunteer recognised as award nominations open

The Rochester Football and Netball Club have nominated Ryan Rasmussen for the WorkSafe AFL Victoria Country Volunteer of the Year Award.

Announced at the WorkSafe Country Club Game between Rochester and Echuca in Goulburn Valley League on Saturday, Ryan is a long-time volunteer at Rochester and a quintessential ‘jack of all trades’, who becomes the first Victorian nomination for season 2023.

Not only does he dedicate his time as team manager of the club’s reserves side each week, Ryan sits on the club committee, works behind the bar and is never afraid of getting his hands dirty at the club’s working bees.

The Rochester area was hit hard by devastating flooding in 2022 and with the local football and netball club being a big part of the town, it’s people like Ryan who are playing a big role in getting not just the club but the community back on track.

Volunteers are the backbone of community clubs across Australia, with around 100,000 volunteers involved in local footy in Victoria alone.

AFL Victoria and WorkSafe Victoria will continue to recognise nominees throughout Season 2023, with all country club volunteers recognised for the WorkSafe AFL Victoria Country Volunteer of the Year award also in the running for the Victorian and Australia-wide prize as part of the Toyota AFL National Volunteer Awards, which were launched this week.

The annual national awards recognise volunteers across Australia who have made outstanding contributions to community football. All NAB AFL Auskick centres, schools, community clubs and leagues in each state and territory are invited to participate, with more than 1000 nominations received nationally in 2022.

To nominate your club’s star volunteer, CLICK HERE