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Lions District Ambassadors Shine At Awards Ceremony

Monday, August 14, 2017 - 3:23 PM

The 2017 AFL School Ambassador of the year awards night was held on Thursday 10th August at Domain Stadium. The event saw over 150 guests attend from schools all around the metro and regional areas of WA. WAFC staff also attended the formal event where we acknowledge the hard work that our teachers do to promote and engage kids in AFL. School Football is a massive part of the WAFC, and we acknowledge the work of teachers in all different categories such as most outstanding primary and secondary school ambassador, most outstanding multicultural, indigenous and female program ambassadors, and also most outstanding first year primary and secondary school ambassadors. Subiaco District had 2 finalists selected for a category award. Tasha Longman from Creaney Primary School for the Most Outstanding First Year Primary School Ambassador Award, and Neil Arnold from Balga Senior High School for the Most Outstanding Indigenous Program Award.

Tasha Longman who is in her first year of teaching physical education at Creaney Primary School was this year’s recipient of the Most Outstanding First year Primary School Ambassador Award. Working closely with Subiaco District Staff and local community club Kingsley JFC, Tasha has delivered a year of quality football programs such as Eagles Faction Footy, Freo Footy Skills, Dockers Shield carnival entrants and also managed to enter for the first time in Creaney Primary School history a Girls Dockers Cup team. Tasha also conducted several in school and after school programs for kids to learn and engage in AFL. Tasha’s amazing work did not end here. Tasha worked closely with a Kingsley JFC representative that saw 20 girls from the school not only compete in the school carnival, but also compete in the first ever Subiaco District Junior Girls competition for Kingsley JFC. Without Tasha’s work Kingsley JFC would not have been represented in the community competition. Tasha’s ability to transition kids from school introductory AFL programs to community club footy made her a stand out winner for the award. Tasha had this to say. “ I am just thrilled to win the award, I never expected to win. I am over the moon and hope an accolade like this can help me work towards a permanent position at Creaney Primary School. I enjoy working there and being able to play a role in helping kids get involved in sport, and in particular AFL which I have always loved.”

The awards did not stop there for Subiaco District. Neil Arnold from Balga senior High School also took out the award for Most Outstanding Indigenous Program. Neil Arnold former Talent manager for Subiaco FC, took on the Head of Football Programs position at Balga SHS this year and in a short time has worked relentlessly to engage students in AFL. in a school with a massive indigenous and multicultural student base, Neil along with his staff have created an AFL program that not only teaches the game, but also transitions kids into club footy via an established partnership with Warwick Greenwood JFC. Through Neil’s program, the kids are taught the game by instilling a positive culture and environment. “ We wanted to teach the kids the importance of values like respect, commitment and team work. We use the game as a reward for their in school behaviour and performance. Also giving them something they are able to be passionate about and look forward to helped them not only shine on the field but also perform better in the classroom.”. WAFC employee Dave Lindsay had this to say. “the program Neil has helped build and deliver at Balga SHS is just amazing. There was really no one else even close to getting the award. He is by far one of the most deserving recipient’s we have had win this category.”

 

It has been a long time since the Subiaco District has had dual category winners at the Ambassador awards ceremony. The night was a great success enjoyed by all. The District is proud of Neil and Tasha for their honours and the continued work they do in their schools.