Steph Contin wins 2021 Volunteer of the Year Award

With more than five years of outstanding service across a vast array of roles at the North Gambier Football Club and surrounding Leagues, Steph Contin has won the 2021 Volunteer of the Year Award.

Steph was announced as the winner of the award at a presentation ceremony last Sunday at Adelaide Oval before the SANFL Grand Final, where she featured alongside seven fellow finalists, with all recognised for their outstanding contribution to their local football clubs in 2021.

‘’It doesn’t matter who you play for, what colours you wear, community football as a whole is just really important across Australia,” said Steph, also South Australia’s 2021 AFL Community Football Volunteer of the Year.

“It doesn’t get done without the volunteers. There’s a lot that’s unseen, unheard, very unpaid, but at the end of the day you do it for the kids.

“The hard work is worth it, all the meetings, all the to-ing and fro-ing, all the emailing, all the phone calls.”

A mother of six, Steph is a current committee member for the North Gambier Football Club, as well as being a league delegate, player, coach and Auskick Coordinator.

Best described as an organisational powerhouse, Steph performs many roles at both her home club and in delegate and executive roles across three leagues: Western Border FL, Western Border Junior FL and the Limestone Coast Women’s League.

Currently the secretary for the North Gambier Football Club, Steph ensures all administrative requirements are met such as player registrations, transfers, adherence to COVID-19 guidelines, creating apparel designs as well as the weekly washing of guernseys.

Steph‘s nominee described her as: ‘’the go-to person for any issues which arise. She is critical to the success of North Gambier’s senior men’s, women’s and junior football teams.’’

SANFL Head of Community Football Lisa Faraci said Steph’s outstanding efforts reflected the tremendous spirit of community football in South Australia and she was a deserving winner of this the Volunteer of the Year Award.

“Steph has been a passionate and dedicated member of the North Gambier Football Club and in more recent years, has been a driving force behind the significant growth and success of female football across the Limestone Coast Women’s Football League,” Ms Faraci said.

“We’ve now had two consecutive years of women in football taking out this prestigious award. This really reflects the evolving landscape of football and the recognition that our sport welcomes anyone ready to step into the challenge.

“Steph’s contribution across the full breadth of what’s required on and off field sees her regarded as a powerhouse in the Mt Gambier community, and she does it all with six kids. Just incredible.”

The other seven finalists for the 2021 SANFL Volunteer of the Year Award were:

• Craig Harley: Central United Football Club
• Danny McNamara: Fitzroy Community Club
• Felicity Chinnery: Kimba Districts Football Club
• Gordon Thomson: O’Sullivan Beach Lonsdale Football Club
• Shane Snell: River Murray Football League/ Imperial Football Club
• Steve Dirksen: Flinders Park Football Club
• Mark Murphy: South Clare Sports Club

 All eight nominees will receive the following prizes:

• Financial planning session thanks to Statewide Super.
• One-night of accommodation at the luxurious Adelaide Oval Hotel, including breakfast on the weekend of the awards night.
• Two Adelaide Oval Football Memberships, including reserved seats to all AFL home games (excluding finals) in the 2022 season.
• Recognition certificate of their nomination.

As well as these prizes, Steph was awarded the David Shipway AM Medal and title of the Statewide Super Volunteer of the Year, along with her name printed on the perpetual trophy.

She will also receive one night of accommodation for two people at Serafino Winery McLaren Vale, including a three-course dinner and breakfast.

During her stay, she will be provided with a new luxury Kia vehicle on a two-day loan to explore the wine region in style.