The AFL Coaches Association, in conjunction with the Victorian Government Department of Justice, recently launched the 2013 Wingman Off-Field Champion Awards for the AFL Goldfields region, with AFL Coaches Association CEO, and former St Kilda star, Danny Frawley and members of the Department of Justice present for the launch at the Riddell District FNL offices in Sunbury.
The Wingman Off-Field Champion Awards Program recognises footballers aged 18 – 25 who demonstrate leadership behaviour off the field, which sets an example for their peers. The awards program is sponsored by the Victorian Government’s Wingman campaign, which aims to encourage young adults to look out for themselves and their mates when out having a good time.
The Wingman awards were started in season 2012, and according to Frawley, were extremely well received in their first year.
"We got a really good uptake from seventeen major leagues around country and metro Victoria", Frawley commented at the launch of the awards last Monday.
"It recognises someone at your club who is really responsible - it basically takes over the Best Clubman award."
All RIddell District FNL clubs will receive nomination packs in the mail in the coming weeks to nominate a member of their club for the Wingman award. From this, a league winner will be announced, who will win $250 for themselves and a further $250 of sporting equipment for their club, as Riddell's Matt Darby did in 2012.
The league winner will then be judged against winners from the other leagues participating in the Wingman program, with the overall winner to receive $1000 for themselves and a further $1000 of sporting equipment for their club.
Frawley recounted the story of the 2012 overall winner, John Parkes from the Park Orchards Football Club in Melbourne's Eastern Football League, who wasn't necessarily the most skilled player at the club, but one who made a substantial contribution off-field to the well-being of his mates and his football club.
"[John] was a player in the reserves who noticed a few yahoo's drinking alcohol in a dry area over a few weeks", Frawley said.
"He was pretty responsible, and went up to the guys and mentioned that they were in a dry area for families [to enjoy the game], and could they kindly move to another area."
"Initially they had a little bit of a disagreement, but eventually they got John's number on their back and became his cheersquad!"
"We thought this was a great initiative by John, and this is why he was chosen as the Victorian winner for 2012".
In 2013, league winners will be recognised by the AFL Coaches Association at their Grand Final dinner in the Tuesday leading up to the AFL Grand Final, one of the more prestigious events on the AFL's calendar in Grand Final week, and should Ballarat FNL clubs embrace the Wingman concept, the AFL Coaches Association are also planning on sending one of their representatives to the Riddell District FNL's Bowen & Ryan Medal night to present the award to the league winner.
"We'll send an AFL senior coach or leading assistant coach - someone like Mick Malthouse or Alaistair Clarkson, or an assistant of the ilk of Robert Harvey, Mark Bickley or Darren Crocker - to present the league's Wingman award at their awards dinner".
Information will be sent to clubs in the coming weeks, and all Riddell District FNL clubs are encouraged to nominate their off-field champion to be in the running for some fantastic prizes.
For more information on the Wingman awards, please contact AFL Goldfields Media, Marketing & Events Manager Shaun Kelly at shaun@ballaratfl.com.au
Last Modified on 03/06/2013 13:11