The Gunnedah Touch Association claimed two awards at this year’s NSW Touch Football Blues Awards night, with the club receiving one before administrator Will Dowe claimed the other.
Gunnedah was named Affiliate of the Year for the Northern Eagles region, and Dowe was named Administrator of the Year for the same region.
The region covers a broad area from Forster to the Queensland border, and out to Moree and the Murrurundi range.
Dowe and his wife Bec attended proceedings at the Moore Park-based Sydney Swans headquarters on Saturday, October 19.
Nicknamed the Goannas, the Gunnedah club also won the Affiliate of the Year award in 2020-21.
Having been the club’s president for both award wins, Paul Brady identified community engagement, junior development, representative pathways, participation and growth as factors behind the Gunnedah touch football club’s award.
“It’s centred around our junior program, and our standalone junior competition and how it’s growing,” he said.
“We run summer and winter seasons, and junior competitions in terms two and four.
“We also have school holiday clinics, and rep teams in rep carnivals and programs.”
Brady said Gunnedah’s participation increased at representative level this year as the Goannas had six teams in the Junior State Cup, and strong representation at Northern Eagles level.
Brady said it felt great for the club to win the award, as “anyone who’s involved in a community association like we are knows how much energy and sacrifice it takes to keep this alive”.
“Recognition like this is a nice pat on the back for the committee, and a chance for the committee to reflect on it and to see the difference it makes to the community.”
Brady said Dowe had been the driving force around the junior program, after it was “a vision for the club to have a junior program”.
“He asked if he could be the owner of that, and he has,” Brady said.
“It’s incredible to see the amount of work he puts in, and the sacrifice involved.
“He’s got the energy and the drive, and without him we wouldn’t be where we are.”
Dowe said the awards night was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with friends from other clubs and the NSW Touch staff.
Dowe said the Gunnedah Touch Association had a close relationship with the NSW Touch crew who supported the Goannas in growing the club, and saw what the Goannas did for the sport in the community.
“Our Juniors program is only where it is today because of volunteers,” he said.
“Parents and die-hard touchies on the committee give hours upon hours of their time to make sure that kids who enjoy and are good at touch footy can have the opportunities we provide.
“As Paul (Brady) said, the amount of junior Goannas being involved in Northern Eagles (the next level of rep touch) this year has been so very rewarding.
“Gunnedah and its surrounding towns are full of talented sportspeople and thoughtful families.”
Dowe said the Gunnedah Touch Association had the potential to be a competitive adversary to large metro touch clubs that have thousands of young players.
“Our goal is to be recognised and competitive in this space,” he said.
“Importantly, we want to give Gunnedah kids the chance to love sport and be recognised on a state-wide level.”
Gunnedah’s Will Dowe was named Administrator of the Year for the Northern Eagles region, at the NSW Touch Football Blues Awards night.
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