Harvey Norman Oxley - Senior Club Awards
Andrew Thomson
As part of the 2019 Presentation Night a number of Senior Awards were presented, these are specialist club awards in recognition of non playing roles.
Barry “Phantom” Johnstone - Senior Club Player of the Year
This award is given to the a member of the Senior Playing Squad who gives back to the football club by going above and beyond with their time, and in 2019 we had a fitting winner in Harrison Radcliffe. Harry balances his studies and playing and training commitments by being an Auskick coach and Coordinator, Roys Lions volunteer and also coached the U14 Sherwood McDonalds cup to their divisional Grand Final.
We both congratulate and thank Harry for his efforts in 2019.
Senior Club Person of the Year
The Senior Club Person of the Year recognises outstanding club volunteers, whether they are an assistant coach, football manager, team manager, scoreboard operator or many more roles that make the place tick.
In 2019, we had Jaden Crowell who was the Colts Team Manager for the second consecutive season. Jaden coordinates a group of players who range from Year 11, Uni Students and others employed full-time. Some are 18, some are not, some can drive, others can’t! Communication can be somewhat ‘limited’ with young players of this age, and then of course there are academy commitments, elevations to Seniors and Reserves football and we’re beginning to paint a picture of a team that needs the utmost commitment from the all important team manager.
In addition to his role as Team Manager, Jaden was the pseudo match day manager and given the Colts play first up, he became somewhat of a quality control officer for the day ahead at home games. For away games, he was at the club early on Saturday mornings packing the Magpie trailer (for all grades) before towing it to games. Fair to say, we couldn’t have done it without this guy in 2019!
Russell Green Memorial Trophy - Coach of the Year (Presented by Matt Green)
Returning to the club where he is a 2 time Premiership player, the larger than life character David Hamill took on a role as part of the senior assistant coaching panel for season 2019. Known for his outgoing personaility and ability to lighten the mood, “Hammers” quickly established himself as an astute thinker with a serious ‘footy brain’. His ability to clearly communicate with players, build relationships across the playing and coaching group and the care attention he gives to instruct and teach on a one to one basis has him as a Senior Coach in waiting should he ever decide to head that way.