THE PULSE — 22 May 2026

National Volunteer Week – Celebrating the Heartbeat of Community Football

As we celebrate National Volunteer Week, it is fitting that we pause to recognise and thank the thousands of volunteers who are the lifeblood of our VAFA community.

The VAFA competition only exists every weekend thanks to the people who generously give their time, energy and passion without seeking recognition or reward. At Club land, committee members, coaches, team managers, trainers, timekeepers, scorers, umpires, umpire escorts, statisticians, video recorders, canteen bar and function staff, raffle sellers, ground staff perform their roles so the players and spectators can enjoy their games week in, week out.

Volunteers are the heartbeat of every club, often the first to arrive and the last to leave. They prepare grounds in winter darkness, cook barbecues, wash jumpers, organise registrations, manage finances, drive players, support fundraising and provide encouragement to young people learning the values of teamwork, resilience and respect.

There are over 1,100 volunteers operating in Clubs across the VAFA Community, and VAFA will again recognise those Volunteers in 2026 with two awards:

• The Pass Volunteer of the Month
• Carruthers Executive Community Coach of the Month.

We encourage all Clubs to nominate their volunteers each week for this award recognition, which culminates in an Annual Award for Women’s Coach, Men’s Coach, Volunteer, and Sports Trainer of the Year.

VAFA HQ also has volunteers working in several areas of operation, including:

• our heritage group led by Life Member, Sue Anderson who along with Alan Naylor, Warwick Watson and Geoff Reilly, do a wonderful job in preserving and our historical videos, photos and records of VAFA competitions. Their extensive work was a cornerstone of the video production and displays showcased at our event celebrating the centenary of the Big V in 2025;
• our whole Tribunal system works on the back of volunteers with our Tribunal Members, consisting of experienced legal professionals and ex-footballers, giving up their nights to adjudicate on cases, whilst Permit Committee Members, Investigators and Integrity officers are all working for minimal honourariums;
• the coaches and support staff who prepare and manage our (currently) four Big V Representative teams are all volunteers;
• our Board of Directors deliver many hours of unpaid service in overseeing the governance and strategy of the competition and visiting Clubs on match days to listen to feedback and show support;
• our Life Members Association led by President Nick Bourke and Executive Phil Stevens provide continual support and advice for VAFA Management;
• our VAFA Umpires Association led by President Michael Evans and Vice President Gina Mondschein work collaboratively with VAFA management and help bond and manage over 621 registered umpires.

Volunteerism has certainly been one of the greatest challenges for all sporting clubs and associations throughout Australia since the COVID epidemic swept through. Thus the importance and value of volunteers has never been greater. And the rewards of building friendships, feeling a sense of belonging, and contributing to the success of a club/association that they can be proud of, still resonates strongly for those that do ‘roll up their sleeves’ when required and make the time to ‘chip in’.

Their contribution often goes unseen, but it should never go unappreciated.

On behalf of everyone involved in VAFA, thank you to every volunteer who helps make our clubs stronger, our competitions better, and our communities more connected.

Jason Reddick

VAFA CEO