By: Ben Drewe, Toowoomba Chronicle Saturday 26th November 2011
NEW life member Heather Green laughed at the suggestion she and husband Trevor Green are the power couple of AFL Darling Downs. Heather was last Sunday made a life member of AFLDD after more than 20 years involvement with the sport in the area.
Trevor was bestowed that honour last year for his service to the league, continuing with re-election as president of AFLDD at last Sunday's annual general meeting. Heather joined a select group in receiving life membership but found the notion of the Greens being the royal family of the league amusing.
"No, not at all," she laughed.
"It's really an honour and it really hasn't sunk in. It's just amazing."
Green first developed a love of Australian Rules football while growing up in Brisbane.
She recounted while talking with The Chronicle at Rockville Park this week that she first saw the game briefly when she travelled past a suburban ground in Brisbane on her way to watch rugby league at Lang Park.
That brief glimpse saw her return to that park to watch games for the next six years.
And it was in 1988 that she first got involved with the sport on the Darling Downs.
"My husband was playing, he started with Coolaroo so I came along as a supporter, spectator, wife helping out here or there and then my kids started playing. So I got involved with managing and ended up on the junior board and ran the junior club," Green said.
"I helped bring the juniors and seniors back together again, and I was president when Coolaroo won their first of the back-to-back premierships."
That involvement continued, despite a short break, with Green also elected to the registrar position on the AFLDD committee for next season.
"I've done absolutely everything," she said.
"I have held every committee position in either league or club, so president, vice-president, registrar, secretary, treasurer. I've done canteen, I've done managing, I've been a coach, I've played, I've run water.
"I literally have done everything.
"Actually, one thing I've never done before is umpire football, so that might happen yet."
And while enjoying the position as league registrar, the first highlight that came to mind was coaching.
"When I was coaching the girls, that was really a buzz," she said.
"I took on the women's team, the University Cougars girls, and found I had a lot to learn but I picked it up really quickly.
"Having such a long stint at football, I suppose, you don't think you know very much but then you start doing it and then you know a hell of a lot.
"That was really good.
"I took them to the grand final. We played in the South-East Queensland comp. We finished up three years ago."
Last Modified on 22/01/2012 16:09
