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Brighton’s Stephen Kinnersly named 2018 Falcons District “Sunday Times Volunteer of the Year”

Friday, August 24, 2018 - 12:17 PM

Stephen is an amazing person, a passionate individual who works tirelessly to go above and beyond for the Brighton Seahawks JFC. Stephen is a first time President and has been an outstanding, dedicated volunteer for many years at Brighton Seahawks JFC in various roles. Over the last seven years he has been a constant figure on the committee and as a coach. Stephen has taken on the role of Coach of many different teams to ensure that kids have somewhere to play footy.

In 2018 Stephen has done a fine job implementing girls football in the community and at the Club. Stephen was instrumental in supporting the establishment of a junior girls pathway in the Falcons District by actively recruiting new players and providing a venue to host games for Clubs across the Northern Conference. This has been crucial to establishing the inaugural Northern Conference Girls competition. He has been responsible, through tireless work, for putting together Brighton JFC’s first two female teams. Stephen organised uniforms, promotion, coaches and recruitment for the Club’s girls teams. Starting with 5 girls, Brighton JFC now have over 30, due largely to Stephen’s dedication to footy. Not stopping there Stephen went on to coach the Brighton year 9-11 girls team, the boys year 11 team (the first time the Club has had a team in this age group), and the Club’s year 6 team; the latter a team that he has been coaching since Auskick.

Stephen has also built good relationships with local schools and businesses to gain sponsors and promote Brighton JFC for future success. Stephen is always approachable, supports all volunteers at his Club, always has time to listen and communicates well with all members, creating a positive, inclusive Club. Nothing is ever a hassle for Stephen and under his leadership Brighton is a growing, successful Junior Football Club.

To top it off Stephen is always one of the first to arrive at the ground on game day to setup and is the last one to leave after packing away. To manage all this shows Stephen’s dedication to Brighton JFC and is inspiring to committee members, coaches and parents alike. With a wife, 3 children and his own full-time work, to still manage to do what he does, Stephen’s commitment is out of this world.

“He is a superstar and we can’t thank him enough for being so amazing! Steve is the most hardworking volunteer I've ever seen. He lives and breathes our football club and deserves to win this award”

Stephen will be invited to the 2018 Sandover Medal Count on Monday 17th September where he has progressed to the WA Final of the 2018 Sunday Times Football Volunteer of the Year. He will also join a strong band of District Volunteers to be recognised for their work in supporting WA Football on Friday 21st September at the 2018 Metro North Awards of Excellence.

Other volunteers to be recognised at the Awards of Excellence for their service to the West Perth Football District include:

- Tamara Deering, Edgewater Woodvale JFC

- Lorraine Elliott, Joondalup Kinross JFC

- Philip Furmage, Ocean Ridge JFC

- Shannon Tippett, Quinns Districts AFC

- Mark Clayton, Quinns Districts JFC

- Michelle Willcocks, Wanneroo JFC

- Stan Broom, West Perth FC

- Natalie Sharman, West Perth Junior Competition Committee

- Phil O'Donnell, Whitford JFC

- Linda Cockman, Yanchep JFC