Coles AFL School Ambassador of the Year AwardsWednesday, August 13, 2014 - 11:10 AM - by Daniel Curtis

Coles AFL School Ambassadors reaped the rewards for their hard work over the past year, with over 170 distinguished guests attending the annual Coles AFL School Ambassador of the Year Awards on Wednesday, July 30 in the Polly Farmer Room.

With illustrious guests including national program partner Coles in attendance, the night was a celebration for the teachers nominated for their outstanding work in growing the game of AFL in their respective schools.

The AFL School Ambassador of the Year Awards has become the pinnacle for teachers since 2006, with over seven category winners announced each year. The AFLSA program which began in WA in 2004 and with over 1060 active AFL School Ambassadors in Australia, it has become the nationally recognised best practice model for teachers since 2007.

Event host Steve Mills provided an inclusive rapport with guests and the night was filled with optimism for the nominated teachers in their individual categories.

With categories winners such as Outstanding Service Award and Outstanding Multicultural AFL Program to be announced, Western Australian Football Commission Education Manager, Sharon Wilson, was ecstatic with some of the nominations put forward for discussion.

“The AFLSA Program continues to strive for excellence within our respective schools across not only in WA but also nationally. The WAFC was most impressed with the candidates that were nominated and the category winners were an outstanding example of what we want our AFL School Ambassadors to achieve,” she said.

AFL School and Education Manager, Mark Riddiford, spoke candidly about the process of determining the winner and the criteria that was adhered to. Key pillars for a successful AFL School Ambassador include innovation of new programs, evidence of professional development with other staff members, while ensuring cross curricular programs are implemented.

In addition to this, evidence of inclusivity, building relationships with Junior or Senior communities while developing a strong working relationship with District or Regional staff was also paramount to being recognised of the higher honours.

A panel discussion that inclusively brought all attendees into the conversation included current West Coast Eagle, Brant Colledge and Fremantle Docker, Michael Apeness. Rounding out the panel discussion was current AFL Umpire and WAFC Umpires Manager, Dean Margetts and Women’s WA Female Football Ambassador and Melbourne FC player, Chelsea Randall.

In a light hearted discussion, the panellists took questions from the floor on an assortment of questions ranging from the future of Female Football, the delicacy of Umpiring in the modern age of the AFL and the local situation of the current WA AFL clubs.

This year’s AFL School of the Year Awards included an outstanding crop of teachers who achieved excellent results in the past calendar year.

The AFL School Ambassador Program hopes to continue its exposure into a host of new schools coming soon and enticing teachers to take up the AFL School Ambassadorship as the thirst for the development of Australia’s game is undeniable.

2014 Coles AFL School Ambassador of the Year Award Winners

Outstanding Service Award - Jeremy Bruse, Cecil Andrews SHS

Outstanding Primary Coles AFL School Ambassador - Brigit Wall, North Mandurah Primary School

Outstanding Secondary Coles AFL School Ambassador – Adrian Correia, CBC Fremantle

Outstanding First Year Coles AFL School Ambassador - Sam Alexeeff, Newman SHS

Outstanding Indigenous AFL Program – Mike Cuneo, Marble Bar Remote Primary School

Outstanding Female AFL Program – Narelle Scott, Beeliar Primary School

Outstanding Multicultural AFL Program – Deb Fitzsimmons, Cyril Jackson Senior Campus