Harvey Norman Contribution to the Female Game Award: Ana Fotu
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The driving force behind female rugby league at Pine Central Holy Spirit Hornets, Ana Fotu has been recognised with the Harvey Norman Contribution to the Female Game Award for 2023.
The award goes to a person who displays a commitment to developing and advocating for female players and volunteers.
Fotu joined the Hornets, switching from the local rugby union club, nine years ago with husband and daughters Toni-Lee and Charlie-Rose.
Determined to make sure there was a way forward for her children, she was the catalyst for an open women's side and opportunities in between - with Pine Central now boasting eight female teams.
"I'm really grateful. I feel there's a lot of volunteers who do the same thing so that's why its quite overwhelming to be the actual winner," the current Hornets vice-president said.
Fotu said the best bit was watching the product of everything that happened off the field "come alive" off it.
"I do it because as a young parent and female playing the game you just want to make sure there's something at your local club for the girls not to have to go anywhere else, and we love it, we love seeing them empowered and building confidence and hopefully we can grow some confident young females into young empowered ladies," she said.
Fotu is now helping girls aspiring to the next level as assistant coach of the Queensland Rubys, while is also involved in the RISE program and as team manager of the Redcliffe Dolphins' Harvey Norman Under 19s.
She is also working in a part-time capacity with NRL game development to increase female participation in schools.
Fotu will receive a $250 gift voucher courtesy of Harvey Norman as part of her prize.
