The AFL has today announced the 2021 NAB AFLW Premiership Cup Ambassador, along with seven NAB AFLW Community Cup Ambassadors at the official 2021 NAB AFLW Season launch.
Yeronga South Brisbane Devils Football Club player, Jamie Howell has been selected to be the 2021 NAB AFLW Premiership Cup Ambassador.
Jamie, who is profoundly deaf, captured the hearts of many people last year when her teammates surprised her by performing a rendition of their club theme song in Auslan, following a win in the QAFLW league.
As part of her role, Jamie will be involved in the 2021 NAB AFLW Grand Final and present the NAB AFLW Premiership Cup to the winning team.
Head of Women’s Football, Nicole Livingstone said Jamie represents the true spirit of the AFLW community.
“It’s fair to say 2020 served up some pretty ordinary moments for all of us, but the moment when the Yeronga South Brisbane Football Club surprised Jamie with a rousing rendition of their club song in Auslan certainly captured the hearts and minds of all,” Ms Livingstone said.
“The football community is known for embracing each other regardless of a person’s background or ability, and the Yeronga Devils have demonstrated above all else they respect and value one another. Jamie is an amazing athlete in her own right and is a role model for other women and people in the Deaf community that you can achieve anything you put your mind to.
“Jamie and her team represent the true spirit of the AFLW community – inclusiveness and passion, so we’re delighted to have Jamie involved in the AFLW season in her role as 2021 NAB AFLW Premiership Cup Ambassador.”
Jamie, who plays football wearing a cochlear implant, said she was thrilled to be selected as the 2021 NAB AFLW Premiership Cup Ambassador.
“I’m so excited to be selected as the 2021 NAB AFLW Premiership Cup Ambassador, it’s such an incredible opportunity and I’m stoked to be part of it,” Ms Howell said.
“It means so much to me because it’s recognition for my amazing club, teammates and staff who have gone above and beyond to make sure I felt included, supported and part of the team, so to be able to represent them on the biggest day on the AFLW calendar means a lot.”
For the first time, seven representatives from each state and territory will also be involved in the NAB AFLW Finals after being selected as NAB AFLW Community Cup Ambassadors.
Jo Butland (QLD), Charmaine Rogers (WA), Yvette Andrews (NSW/ACT), Lateesha Jeffrey (NT), Shona MacInnes (VIC), Jodie Mather (TAS) and Paul Modra (SA) have been selected as the inaugural NAB AFLW Community Cup Ambassadors for their outstanding contribution to female football.
The inaugural NAB AFLW Community Cup Ambassador program was established to recognise members of the female football community who have been instrumental in facilitating and nurturing the remarkable growth of women’s football.
Each NAB AFLW Community Cup Ambassador receives a $1,000 grant from the Women’s Football Fund to donate to the club of their choice and the opportunity to be involved in the 2021 NAB AFLW Finals Series.
Charmaine Rogers- Western Australia
Charmaine Rogers has a long and prestigious history in female football in Western Australia which has seen her impact the lives of many players and administrators over the last 27 years. Described as the heart and soul of the Claremont Women’s Football Club since arriving in 1993, Charmaine has contributed to the game in almost every role possible, including as a player, coach, secretary, Club President, Club Board member, WAWFL President, WAWFL Board member and competition coordinator. In addition, Charmaine has a competition named in her honour ‘The Rogers Cup’ and was made a Life Member of the WAWFL for services to the game and advancement of female sport in WA.