The AFL School Ambassador of the Year recognises and rewards at least one AFLSA from each state and territory for their outstanding contribution to Australian Football throughout the year. The recipients of the award travelled to Melbourne and were hosted at the official AFL Function at the Qualifying Final (Western Bulldogs v Hawthorn at the MCG). As well as this, each AFLSA of the Year received a commemorative trophy and group photograph.

Listed below is a summary of the achievement of the various AFLSA as provided by the respective state football body.

PROFILES OF 2008 AFL SCHOOL AMBASSADOR WINNERS

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

NARCISO BATANERO

Since taking on the AFL Ambassador role, Narciso has driven the school into a very strong football school, so much so that it is now positioning itself to becoming the first football focus school in the Adelaide Hills, with plans well advanced to be in a position to offer the program in 2009.

Other events (programs) arranged and coordinated by Narciso this year include Rec Footy, facilitating a Jason McCartney seminar program, Auskick and a Crows country visit.

LIAM WHITWELL 

Liam is an outstanding AFL School Ambassador. He is heavily involved in promoting football at his school & in his local community. During 2008 Liam has coordinated the following football activities at his school; Jason McCartney Seminar, SEPEP/Recreation Football 10 week program, WWTFC Nine a side carnival at Balaklava.

He is also the Adelaide Plains Junior Football Panel Coordinator, Mallala Football Club Senior Colts Coach, Adelaide Plains Football League Association U15 Coach, U15 South Australian School State Team Manager, Mallala A Grade Player & gained his Level 2 Coaching Accreditation this season.

Liam is also looking at making the Balaklava High School a football academy school for the WWTFC Country Zone similar to Port Lincoln High School on the Eyre Peninsula.

Liam’s passion for promoting, playing & administrating football is first class & through his activities has encouraged kids to become & stay involved in football.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

NICOLE HUGHES

In her second year as a finalist, Nicole backed up a great 2007 with a fantastic 2008. She embraced the Australian Football - 150^th Year message in AFL and has given her school the opportunity to participate in many events, including the official ‘150 day’ held on the Langley Park foreshore. She also organised a ‘Kick Around Australia’ assembly based on the fantastic message of ‘Spirit of the Game’. A great advocate for participation, she gives a lot of her free time to after school community based Auskick programmes, including the inaugural ‘All-Girls Competition’. A fantastic ambassador for our game!

STEPHEN THOMSON

Comet Bay College is the newest secondary school in the Peel District and has just been approved by the education department to have an Approved Specialist Program for Football in 2009.   Stephen has played a significant role in the set up and ongoing achievements of this new school.

He heads up the Football Program and has enjoyed great success with an academic based football program that uses football as a motivation for students to excel at their nominated subjects.   There have been significant improvements in the grades of those students within the program.   Education and football working together for mutual benefit.

The football team travelled to Kalgoorlie and played against other schools in that region allowing students to experience and appreciate other regions and the circumstances within the state.   Comet Bay is a regular competitor in the STS Cup, AFLSportsready Cup and WAFC Footy Programs within the Peel District, including the Kick Around Australia Day for the 150^th Anniversary of Australian Football.

Stephen goes beyond the call of duty as he serves the Peel District after hours as Coach of the 15s Development Squad.   He has visited many local junior matches and is dedicated to the program, bringing a great deal of experience, professionalism and excitement to the role of Development Squad Coach.

PERRY HOME

In his second year as AFL School Ambassador, Perry has taken his role to a new level that even he will have difficulty in replicating. Not only has Perry fulfilled all of the criteria asked of an AFL school ambassador, he has introduced his own dynamic new program called Football Buddies. Based on the SEPEP model, Perry has developed his own program in which 75 children from senior classes volunteered their own time to “buddy up” with 94 junior class children who asked to be included.

In 2008, Perry has travelled to Perth three times with students from Eaton PS to participate in WAFC school focused events, a distance of over 400km travelled each time.

Perry deserves to be proud of his terrific efforts, and his relationship with the local Eaton Junior FC is second to none.

SIMON FOAT

Simon is an outstanding advocate of promoting Australian Football and clearly fulfils his role as an AFLSA. Simon has involved himself in the following activities in a most thorough and professional manner. Some of his achievements include:

Overseeing the AFL School Excellence program

Team Manager of the South Coast School Boys

Coach U/15 South Coast school boys

Implementation of AFL Sport Education for Grade 8 students

Encouraging girls to participate in local competitions

Kristen is a passionate Australian Footballer which has led to a significant increase in interest and participation levels at her school. Some of her achievements include:

• Convenes District AFL competition for 8 local schools
• Team Manager of Peninsula Schools Boys since in 1997
• Implementing a girls only football competition
• Hosted a major KAA day event
• Teaches AFL as part of the schools P.E program
• NAB AFL Auskick conducted at the school

TASMANIA

James Dalton

James Dalton is a very active PE teacher at St Virgil’s College and has been a school ambassador since its beginning.

He was the key to the success of the Southern Private High School Competition in 2008. James single handily organized venues, teams and schools to participate in the competition which was also involved as a lead up competition to the 2008 Tassie Hawks Cup. The High School Competition has been running for 5 years and James has run the program for the past 3 years.

James organized 12 teams to compete in the Private High School Competition for grade 7/8 and 9/10 students.

The AFL Umpire Roadshow was held at St Virgil’s College and James was again the key to its success. He organized classes to be present, and take part in presentations by AFL umpires. James also co ordinates basic umpire courses at St Virgil’s College.

Ty Stewart (Primary)

Ty works at Westbury and Beaconsfield Primary for 2008. He has conducted all three programs in his schools i.e. Footy in Schools, Auskick and SEPEP. We supply him with the resources of each program and he runs the rest. He has also taken part in the Dipper Road Show and the 150 years anniversary day. Once again he organised himself we just help him out with gear etc.

In years gone by he has also done the same since I have been involved here. He has always been actively involved in our programs and been to willing to help us reach our targets that are set.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Angie Kirwin

Angie Kirwin has worked at Gray Primary School for the past 6 years. The majority of those years spent in Health & PE. This is Angie's 3^rd year as the AFL School Ambassador and 2^nd year in row being nominated and winning this award.

Angie is instrumental in the Palmerston region whether it’s Open Primary Football, Kick around Australia Day promotions or AFL Juniors for Girls. Angie is always there promoting the game and flying the flag for AFL.

Clint Beard

Clint Beard is a Physical Education teacher from Transition to Year 9 including Year 8 and 9 Health. Clint has promoted AFL in his School through all physical education classes, assemblies and school newsletters. In his junior classes Clint has based lesson plans around the Auskick model. Middle and Upper primary school students were involved in AFL Sport Education and he helped organised a 9 a side internal school competition. Clint has helped promote the game through School competitions and has attended professional development sessions run by AFLNT.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Bob Bevan

LavingtonPrimary SchoolSenior Students Coach 1988 - 2008. Lavington Primary School has been the NSW State Knockout winner (Tony Lockett Shield) on 14 occasions and Runner - up on 8 Occasions. Albury Zone PSSA Convenor. Riverina Primary Schools Association Convenor 1979 - 2008. Riverina Primary School Sports Association Australian Football Manager/ Coach 1979 - 2008. NSW PSSA Australian Football Coach - total 5 years. NSW PSSA Football Manager - total 5 years.

Robert Murie

In 2008 Robert Murie has had a significant impact on the development of Australian Football in Western Sydney. The quality of his involvement has been of the highest order and a number of groups have benefited from his organisation and communication schools. Some examples of his passion and dedication to the code include the following: Assistant coach of the Sydney West PSSA team, Competition Manager of CHS State Carnival at Benson's Lane, Manage Hills Sports High AFL Program, and Coach Under 13 Stars TPP Program. He is a deserving recipient of the Ambassador of the Year Award.

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

Bradley Lynch

Brad in heavily involved with football outside of school hours (3^rd division Woden Blues). He has organised all the SSSA Sth school AFL gala days, including the ACT finals. The quality of the days was high, and this is a credit to Brad. It portrayed a good image for AFL in the region. Brad entered teams into all of the SSSA gala days. Brad has also entered teams into the Boys U14s Swans Cup and the Girls U14s Swans Cup. He has indicated that he would also put a team into an U16s if available. He has also promoted the Swans Cup amongst the SSSA executive. Because of this support it is likely that the SSSA gala days will cease and Swans Cup will be the main AFL competition in the ACT….and put on the SSSA school calendar. Brad has also recruited at least 8 school ambassadors, and promoted it amongst other schools.

VICTORIA

Matt Jones

Matt has shown exemplary initiative in his role of AFL School Ambassador.

• Current Level Two Coach
• Comprehensive football program for senior and intermediate students (Male and Female) in Southern Independent Schools competitions.
• Conduct training for player before school so as not to conflict with the tight school curriculum.
• Strong emphasis on Student Leadership in all football programs
• Conducts recreational Football with Year 10 and 7 Classes
• Facilitates Staff participation in AFL Victoria Professional Development
• Visibly reinforces the notion that sport is an integral part of a students overall development.
• Use of AFL Sport Education resources through out the curriculum.

Patrick D’Arcy

Patrick has been an AFL School Ambassador at the Hallam Valley primary School for two years and teacher at the school for 9 years.>

Patrick has assisted in the development of the Hallam Valley Football League, conducted at the school with team made up from Grade 5 and 6 students.

Eight teams compete in with 20 players in an eight team fixture round robin competition. Team names are derived from AFL Legends these include: Barassi Black Cockatoos, Skilton Snappers, Reynolds Rams, Whitten Joeys etc.

They participate in a draft for players. They use the Sport Ed program to develop all auxiliary roles such as coaches, runners, media and time keepers. They also conduct a Brownlow Medal Award at the end of the season.

The AFL replicated at Hallam Valley Primary School.

Other initiatives include:

• Female team competing in the VPSSA Female Football Program and boys and mixed team participating in the Narre Warren District Lightning Premiership.
• Staff professional development at AFL Victoria SEPEP and Recreational Football Programs
• Use of AFL curriculum resources to compliment the in class curriculum.