Gunnedah’s Alli Gourley was named Volunteer of the Year in the Northern NSW Football (NNSWF) competition for 2025, as the Local Champion awards night was held at the Newcastle Exhibition and Convention Centre (NEX) last Friday.

The NNSWF Local Champion awards were held monthly to recognise individuals, teams and clubs which make a difference across the football family, with all monthly winners being eligible for the annual awards.

Having been the Gunnedah District Soccer Association (GDSA) secretary for the past two years, Alli was named Volunteer of the Month for July following a nomination from the GDSA committee.

Alli’s tasks included completing team allocations, organising uniforms and registrations, and ensuring each team had a coach and a manager.

Alli said she felt honoured to be named 2025 Local Champion Volunteer of the Year, but preferred not to have too much attention focused on her.

“To be honest, I think the whole GDSA committee deserves the award,” she said.

“Anyone who has been part of a committee knows it’s a huge team effort.

“But it is also such a joy seeing all of the smiling faces running around the fields each week, knowing you played a part in over 650 local kids being able to play the sport they love.

“At the end of the day, we do it for the kids.”

Alli said it was a “huge juggle” with work, family commitments and the GDSA secretary role, particularly with Gunnedah soccer growing so much in recent years.

“I am very lucky to have a very supportive husband (Lachlan) who would pick up the slack,” she said.

Alli also said she was “proud to represent Gunnedah and shine a light on soccer in rural/country areas”.

Other awards were Player of the Year, Club of the Year, Referee of the Year, Coach of the Year, and Team of the Year. These award winners came from Toronto Awaba, Nelson Bay, Abermain, Hunter Valley and Newcastle, as the NNSWF competition covered the area from Newcastle to the Far North Coast, the Queensland border, through the Upper Hunter, Namoi and Moree regions.

The GDSA meanwhile is seeking a secretary for next year, after the role was unfilled at the recent annual general meeting (AGM).

Alli said the role would change significantly next year, while she couldn’t keep giving so much of her time due to work and family commitments.