Club Administration of the Year: Burton sets up prolonged Hornets success

All but a lifetime running around at Pine Central Holy Spirit made the position of treasurer more than just a volunteer role for Jaz Burton.

And her dedication and innovation in recent years now has the club in its strongest financial position in its history, earning her the 2023 Club Administration of the Year award.

The Club Administration of the Year award recognises achievements in governance compliance, record keeping, transparency and steering of communication, revenue and community initiatives.

Burton, who is now helping with the transition to the next treasurer, said it was a "surprise, but nice" to be recognised in her role at her club that means everything to her family.

"I've been around the club since I was nine," Burton said.

"My dad played at the club, husband played, my younger brother played since under 6s and both my kids are registered to the club, so I've been at the club a lot of years.

"I think we're really family-oriented and a lot of our registrations come from word of mouth and people knowing about the club and our values. We have not just siblings playing but aunties, uncles, cousins and everyone brings everyone over because it's a great club.

"Over the last few years there's been a lot of hardship around the club. One of our players died in a car accident, we've had mental health challenges, earlier this year a family's house burned down ... but the club just always steps up, the community steps up financially and we've done lots of fundraisers for all these different things and the club just rallies behind whatever they need."

Burton's achievements for the club included a pivotal role in helping create a prospectus to guide the club on gaining sponsorship - generating $120,000 for the club until 2025 - and helped enable fundraising through an Indigenous Round jersey initiative.

Also a first aid officer at the club, she has also played a major role in boosting the club's social media footprint, promoting the Positive Environment Program and helping lure players to a strong female rugby league program.

Burton paid tribute to 'core' committee members who have played a major role in setting up the club's success over the years, including Sharon Hickey, now chair of the Rugby League Brisbane board, and Hornets president Neil O'Connor - an inspiration in the face of his own health battles.

"It comes back to having a really strong core committee that is very devoted to the club," she said.

"A lot of our committee members have a long history at the club, so it goes past it being a volunteer job. They want to see the club succeed and want good things for the club."