BALLINA SEAGULLS VOLUNTEER APPLAUDED AT GOOD SPORTS AWARDS  

Ballina Seagulls Life Member and Football Manager, Michael Koellner, was named the 2022 New South Wales Good Sports Volunteer of the Year, at the Good Sports Awards at Parliament House in Canberra (16th February).

The national Good Sports Awards celebrate Australia’s best community sporting clubs and volunteers, for their commitment to building healthy and inclusive club environments, and their work with the Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s Good Sports program in tackling topics like alcohol, illicit drugs, smoking, mental health and safe transport.

Mr Koellner, who’s been part of the Ballina Seagulls family for approximately 40 years, won the award for making his club stronger and more family-friendly by going above and beyond the usual undertakings of a volunteer.

“Without Michael, our club would not be where it is today. He works tirelessly for the club, always giving of his time to make sure that it can be the best it can with the limited resources we have,” said Vice President, Max Beecher.

The club said Mr Koellner was once team captain and led the club to a premiership. He was commended for being ‘instrumental’ in building the current clubhouse, with the club saying he plays an important role in maintaining or fixing items that require urgent attention.

“There are hundreds of jobs, like the returfing our field, that Michael has done for the club. Michael is always first to arrive and last to leave when work needs doing around the club on game day, and on any day work needs to be done,” Mr Beecher explained.

“The game of Rugby League is a greater game because of the involvement of Michael Koellner. He is one of the most generous, unassuming men I have had the privilege of knowing. He is always there to lend a hand not just for Rugby League, but the Ballina Shire community. This region is all the better for a champion man like Michael Koellner,” Mr Beecher added.

Ballina Seagulls Rugby League Club is a gold level accredited Good Sports club, which means it has policies that cover alcohol and tobacco management, illegal drugs, mental health and safe transport.

Working with more than 10,000 community sports clubs across Australia, including more than 3,000 in NSW, Good Sports is Australia’s largest community health sports program.

In New South Wales, Good Sports is funded by the Australian Government and the New South Wales Government (Transport for New South Wales) and managed by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation.

“Good Sports supports local sporting clubs to identify and reduce potential risks around alcohol and other drugs, as well as other important issues such as mental health and road safety,” said the Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s NSW Manager, Greg Howe.

“The Good Sports Awards are the ultimate trophy for any Good Sports club. They shine the spotlight on success, celebrate the volunteers who are the backbone of Good Sports clubs and give winning clubs with the recognition they deserve,” Mr Howe added.

For more information on the Good Sports Awards, including the full list of winners, visit:  www.Goodsports.com.au