Danielle Coates, from St Francis of the Fields Strathfieldsaye in Victoria, has been named as the national award winner in the Primary School Ambassador category, as part of the 2021 Toyota AFL National Volunteer Awards.
The annual awards recognise volunteers across Australia who have made outstanding contributions to community football. All NAB AFL Auskick centres, schools, community clubs and leagues in each state and territory were invited to participate, with more than 600 nominations received nationally.
Danielle was one of each of the state winners who went into the running to win the national award for their category announced in mid-September, with the prize including the opportunity for a Grand Final Experience.
Danielle has contributed significantly to some of the great outcomes that have been achieved with AFL Central Victoria in the local Bendigo area. She has strongly supported the promotion of the game within her school of 575 students, junior clubs and the community. In particular, she has been supportive when coming out of COVID 19 lock downs with some of the AFL CV promotions that have been on offer. The school implemented with FDM support, in school sporting experiences, supported our new initiative with an after school promotion, supported the development of SEDA College students to deliver programs at the school, being flexible and agile when it comes to our AMMI AFL Football Clubs Virtual experience, along with contributing to new ideas to support the effectiveness of these new initiatives. She has also promoted the importance of connecting schools to near by Auskick Centers/Coordinators and junior football clubs.
Danielle is one of nine category winners in the Toyota AFL National Volunteer Awards and receives a ‘Grand Final Experience’ including tickets for her and a guest to the 2021 Toyota AFL Grand Final and return flights*.
*Those unable to travel to Perth will have their prize postponed to 2022.
Photo courtesy of Bendigo Advertiser)