NRL announce grassroots award winners for 2024 Community Awards
Rugby league is a sport filled with exciting play on the field and the support of passionate fans in the stands – but the game simply would not function without the care and commitment of volunteers.
The National Rugby League (NRL) is pleased to announce the grassroots award winners as part of the 2024 Community Awards, which seeks to honour the individuals who work tirelessly in the community to make rugby league a great game for everyone.
Volunteering in rugby league takes on many forms and includes many roles, from coaching junior teams to running the lines, to co-ordinating the canteen and beyond.
“Congratulations to all of the National Rugby League Grassroots Award winners for the 2024 season,” Executive General Manager of Operations & Technology Tain Drinkwater said.
“Their ongoing commitment to the game of rugby league is clearly evident which we hope provides inspiration for all grassroots volunteers.
“With the support of Westpac, the NRL Community Awards continue to provide a platform to acknowledge and celebrate the contribution of our game’s heroes, to amplify their stories and drive the strong connection between the grassroots and elite formats of rugby league.
“The NRL Community Awards is not possible without the support of Westpac, we are delighted to continue this initiative together as we continue to make rugby league the greatest game for all.”
The NRL Community Awards were established in 2007 to help shine a light on and celebrate the contributions of the game’s unsung heroes. The awards thank them for their dedicated work and have grown into rugby league’s most prestigious community-focused awards ceremony.
“At Westpac, we’ve been developing relationships in Australian communities for more than 200 years. Through our partnership of the NRL Community Awards we’re proud to be able to recognise unsung heroes who are the centre of so many of these relationships thanks to their tireless service and commitment to their local rugby league community,” Westpac Chief Brand and Marketing Officer Annabel Fribence said.
“Congratulations to all of this year’s NRL Community Award recipients. Their dedication to making a positive impact in their community is admirable and something we can all aspire to.”
With categories ranging from grassroots through to the elite; this year’s National Rugby League Grassroots Award winners come from all walks of life and span the breadth of nation, highlighting the reach of the game.
Congratulations to the 2024 award winners.
Women in League Award
Maryanne Longstaff
For twenty-four years, Maryanne Longstaff has devoted her time to promoting and growing the game of Rugby League in South Australia for women. Her experience as a player has shaped Maryanne as a coach and mentor for women in South Australia. She volunteers her time to be the South Adelaide Women’s Coach, Women’s Rookie Rise Coach, Under 8s coach as well as the South Australian Senior Women’s Coach.
Constantly updating her coaching techniques to help talented women reach their full potential, Maryanne progresses her mentees to the Queensland Cup, Tasha Gayle Cup and the NRLW Premiership. She is fiercely determined to recruit women to the game of league and ensure NRLSAW competition has the same opportunities as the senior men’s competition.
Maryanne’s passion extends beyond the field as she also volunteers as a committee member, Club Coaching co-ordinator and is constantly fundraising to help local junior children play Rugby League.
From Adelaide Rugby League Club Footballer of the Year to dedicated coach and advocate of the game, Maryanne’s commitment to Women’s Rugby League in South Australia has made such a significant impact that the NRLSA League Women’s Medal and the South Adelaide Women’s Trophy have both been named in her honour.
Young Person of the Year
Thomas Ottaway
Queensland’s Thomas Ottaway is a dedicated Year 11 student with a true passion for Rugby League. While juggling his studies, Thomas is a talented player for the Maroochydore Rugby League Club, a Sunshine Coast RISE participant and a popular assistant coach for younger players.
On top of his playing and coaching responsibilities, Thomas consistently gives back to the Rugby League Community that supports him. He regularly volunteers at his club in a wide variety of ways and referees with the Sunshine Coast Referees Association.
In order to expand his knowledge and repertoire, Thomas completed work experience with NRL Game Development staff. He embraced the opportunity to learn new coaching and refereeing skills and explore a variety of different NRL career paths.
Thomas has proactively grown the game of Rugby League at his traditionally Rugby Union focused High School. He has promoted the game, volunteered his time to link the school with the Sunshine Coast Schools Rugby League program and organised Rugby League to be a sport of choice.
Thomas’ leadership and organisational skills, together with his enthusiasm and skills, ensure he promotes the Queensland Rugby League values of inclusivity, unity and positivity.
Indigenous Community Award
Jasmine Bond
Quiet in nature, Jasmine is a strong advocate of Rugby League and has been a driving force in building the game in the Northern Peninsula Area, North Queensland. Her persistence in approaching the local council and social services to highlight the way Rugby League can be used to help positively shift behaviours of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth in the community, is to be commended.
Jasmine is involved in many areas of Rugby League in Northern Queensland, from Rugby League Club Secretary, co-ordinating player and volunteer registrations, organising game day volunteers, to game day set up and pack down. Her positivity is evident in each role she embraces, always joyful to be part of the Rugby League community.
Inclusivity is a value Jasmine always displays, she firmly believes Rugby League is open to all – regardless of race, gender, age or ability. Jasmine educates herself on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, customs and traditions in order to use effective and inclusive approaches when recruiting and working with players and volunteers.
Travelling long distances between remote areas of North Queensland for meetings and games is common for Jasmine, but nothing will hold her back from empowering the community through the greatest game of all – Rugby League.
Volunteer of the Year
Khalil Kouayder
Volunteers are the backbone of Rugby League clubs. Greenacre Rugby League Club recognises Khalil as a volunteer who goes the extra mile to ensure Rugby League at the club is growing and is an organised, positive place for players, volunteers and the community.
Khalil works closely with the Muslim community to share the joy of Rugby League with players he recruits and the community which supports them. He leads by example, always displaying the values of sportsmanship, respect and unity.
As club secretary, ground manager on game day as well as first aid officer, Khalil is always generous with his time. Wednesday night, Friday night and the weekends are dedicated to Rugby League but Khalil would not have it any other way, his enthusiasm is contagious!
Khalil is efficient, thorough and dedicated and his humorous approach ensures all tasks are completed to the best of his ability and people are smiling, happy and thriving.
Teacher of the Year
Matt O’Dwyer
Passionate about students’ learning, Matt O’Dwyer works together with NRL Canberra and Game Development Officers to give all students at his school the opportunity to learn about and participate in Rugby League.
Matt has used Rugby League as a vehicle for inclusivity at his school. His organisation of Wheelchair Rugby League has allowed able bodied and students with disabilities to compete and share the joy of Rugby League - together.
Always positive, Matt embraces the programs offered by the NRL and Game Development officers, such as League Stars, in school activities and Gala Days. He promotes the NRL programs at his school with enthusiasm, ensuring maximum attendance is achieved.
Going above his role as a teacher, Matt referred numerous teachers to the School Ambassador Program with the NRL allowing more classrooms and schools the opportunity to experience the joy of learning about Rugby League.
Club of the Year
Bowen Seagulls Rugby League
Queensland’s Bowen Seagulls Rugby League club is a true example of a community-focused Rugby League club, which makes player and community focused decisions.
Recognising that registration fees for Rugby League limited opportunities for interested players, Bowen Seagulls Rugby League club drastically slashed registration fees in a bid to give interested players an opportunity to play the greatest game of all. Over five years, this approach ensured that registration numbers have grown from 100 to 450 registered participants in 2024.
Growing in registration numbers ensured the club had to upgrade facilities. A large grandstand, equipment storage shed and upgraded amenities were funded, organised and built to meet the growing needs of the club.
The value of inclusivity underpins all the decisions at Bowen Seagulls Rugby League. The club aims to welcome and support people of all ages, backgrounds, gender and ability. Junior and senior teams have been established and a Girls Teams Meet and Greet event made female players feel welcomed to the club. Indigenous players represent half the registrations at the club.
Promoting player, volunteer and community mental health is a club priority. In order to grow awareness of mental health in the club, a Blue Tree Project began. All club members were invited to help paint a deceased tree, blue. The painting of the tree symbolised it getting a ‘blue lease on life’. The message that it is ‘ok not to be ok’ is emphasised at the club.
Bowen Seagulls Rugby League club is a place of growth – registrations, volunteers, club members, facilities and mental health awareness have all grown under the careful guidance of the club.
