Last year was a successful season for Highfields Juniors’ Steve Haywood who was presented with the Highfields Senior Sports Award in January.
A passionate supporter of local rugby league, Steve is an active member of the Highfields Eagles Junior Rugby League Club, where he has volunteered countless hours to facilitating junior sport.
Totally committed to his club, Steve has coached teams for nine years, including two teams in 2017.
A coach coordinator for the past six years, Steve has organised training and upskilling for coaches and organised preseason training for kids from 5 to 16 years. He also coordinates and raises money to purchase training equipment for players.
Steve holds extra training sessions for kids who want to improve their skills and organisers and coordinates trial matches with other clubs. At home games, he is always there to assist with the set up and pack up and has helped out on the gate, as a handyman and in official capacities.
When asked why he is so involved in junior rugby league, Steve is quick to point out he doesn’t do it for the recognition. His selfless attitude was also recognised when he was announced as a top-10 finalist for the 2017 Gold Coast Titans AQUIS Volunteer of the Year.
There are many worthy volunteers who are deserving of awards, but Steve does what he does because he lives and breathes rugby league. Steve is driven by wanting to help kids improve and be the best they possibly can be – both on and off the field.
Clubs of the Toowoomba Junior Rugby League are indebted to the tireless work of hundreds of volunteers across junior rugby league activities each and every day.
Volunteers play an integral role in complementing and enhancing the game of rugby league. We are blessed to have a passionate pool of people who are happy and willing to volunteer their time and expertise.
The TJRL greatly appreciates the efforts people like Steve provide junior rugby league in Toowoomba.
It all comes down to people like Steve who love the game of the rugby league.
