QRL announces 2024 Community Volunteer Awards winners

The Queensland Rugby League can now announce the winners of the 2024 Community Volunteer Awards, across eight categories.

The awards shine the spotlight on the people who make rugby league tick in communities right across Queensland, including administrators, coaches, referees and young people from the city to the country.

The 24 shortlisted - one each from QRL North, QRL Central and QRL South East regions - were revealed last month, before our selection panel conducted a rigorous deliberation to decide our winners.

The winners will be treated to an exclusive State of Origin experience coinciding with Game III in Brisbane on July 17.

QRL chief executive Ben Ikin paid tribute to each of those selected for the awards, who represent just some of the close to 20,000 volunteers who play the most important role in our game.

"These winners represent our best and brightest contributors to rugby league in Queensland," Ikin said.

"We can't thank our volunteers enough for sacrificing their time to ensure their clubs can thrive and become pillars of their local communities.

"I was floating after speaking with the 2024 award winners, hearing their incredible stories and getting a new appreciation of just how much hard work they put into the game.

"These people are an inspiration and remind everyone at the QRL that volunteers are the backbone of our great game."

The common thread among the winners was their love for seeing the smiles on everyone's faces every weekend, driving them to continue putting in the hours each and every week, and the appreciation for their families supporting their every endeavour.

The Community Volunteer Awards - announced in line with National Volunteer Week - are a small part of the QRL's commitment to meeting national standards for volunteer recognition.

Community Volunteer Awards 2024 - Meet the winners

Shell V-Power Volunteer of the Year - Damian Smith

Damian Smith has a profound impact on every aspect of the Mackay Magpies juniors and seniors, ensuring his club meets governance standards, includes all participants in club initiatives, supports female rugby league. He is also involved in coaching and the Rugby League Mackay & District judiciary.

XXXX Community Club of the Year - Bowen Seagulls

Bowen Seagulls have developed into a wonderful, inclusive community club. They eagerly participate in programs such as PEP and Support Squad and display outstanding governance procedures.

McDonald's Coach of the Year - Robin Gilloway

Robin Gilloway is a humble contributor to Fassifern Bombers Junior Rugby League Club hitting new heights through his coaching direction across all levels and is always willing to lend a hand for any volunteer task.

Westpac Wellbeing Award - Adam Flier

Adam Flier has been involved in Support Squad since inception, leading him to a career in the wellbeing space, and at Burleigh Bears he is proactive in making rugby league be a more inclusive and supportive environment.

rebel Young Person of the Year - Thomas Ottaway

If rugby league was a vibe, Thomas Ottaway is that vibe. He loves playing the game, officiating and volunteering at Maroochydore Swans Junior Rugby League Club and bringing new people to the game at his school. He is a role model for his peers.

BMD Indigenous Award - Jasmine Bond

Jasmine brings together Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander communities in the Northern Peninsula Area on Cape York Peninsula and works tirelessly to ensure governance standards are met so the game can safely operate.

Harvey Norman Contribution to the Female Game - Tori Wilkie

Tori Wilkie, who is assistant secretary for Gold Coast Rugby League Referees' Association, is a brilliant mentor for young people in rugby league, either as participants or officials, and is a particularly influential role model for female referees in her capacity in the QRL Referees' High Performance Unit.

PUMA Contribution to Officiating - Tim Steinhardt

Tim Steinhardt puts significant time and kilometres - around 30,000km in 2023 alone - into officiating across the vast Central Highlands and Central West Rugby League and plays a vital role in encouraging, training, transporting and mentoring young match officials.

Stay tuned to QRL social media accounts this week to learn more about our 2024 Community Volunteer Awards winners.