Long serving Goulburn Murray Youth Coach Michael O’Dwyer was presented with the prestigious Allan Jeans Lifetime Achievement Award at tonight’s AFL Victoria Annual Dinner held at the Docklands.
The Annual AFL Victoria Dinner is a joint gala function to acknowledge the work of the Victorian branch of the Australian Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and Auskick Volunteers around the State.
The award, one of the highest honours that can be bestowed on a community football coach, recognises O’Dwyer’s outstanding service to coaching which including 20 years as Goulburn Murray VLine Coach.
Previous winners of this prestigious award include Robert Hyde (Calder Cannons TAC Coach) in 2015, Ken Fletcher (PEGS Coaching) in 2014, Brian Weightman (Richmond FC & Sunraysia Football Development Manager) in 2011, Keith Burns (Collingwood U19’s & Northern Knights) in 2010 and Ray Carroll (Assumption College Coach) in 2007.
AFL Goulburn Murray Football Development Manager Greg Liddell highlighted O’Dwyer’s contribution to local youth football.
“Mick has been an outstanding contributor over 35 years at different levels” he said.
“As the General Manager of the Barooga Sports Club he became heavily involved with the local football club and was a key player in the re-establishment of the local ‘Colours Competition’ for U12 children which is still thriving some 20 years later. “
“As the Coordinator of the Barooga Auskick program O’Dwyer was also awarded as the Goulburn Murray Junior Coach of the Year in 1994.”
“A significant component of his contribution has been as the Coach of the Goulburn Murray Schoolboys/VLine team for 20 years from 1995 to 2014.”
"During this time he earnt the utmost respect of players, parents and clubs from across the region.”
"Mick planned meticulously and as a result of his outstanding communication skills he managed to get the most out of the players who came through the program.”
“He is an outstanding role model whose name is so highly regarded in the Goulburn Murray region and he truly deserves every accolade that comes his way.”
“To recognise Mick’s contribution we asked him to put together a ‘best of’ team of players that have all gone on to play AFL football from his time as the VLine Cup coach and the team he has selected highlights some of the talent that Mick has worked with over his 20 years.”
To cap off a great night for the Goulburn Murray Central Saints Coach Phil Guthrie was also honoured taking out the David Parkin Junior Coach Of The Year Award.
Mick O’Dwyer’s Schoolboys Team of 20 Years
B:
|
Sam Wright
Nth Melb (116)
|
Mark Bullen
Ess (44)
|
David Teague
Nth Melb/Carl (83)
|
HB: |
Robert Foster-Knight
Ess (31)
|
Tom Longergan
Geel (186)
|
Jarman Impey
Port Adel (55)
|
C: |
Michael Stevens
Port A/Nth Melb (61)
|
Brett Deledio
Rich (243)
|
Kane Tenace
Geel (54)
|
HF: |
Shannon Byrnes
Geel/Melb (131)
|
Chris Egan
Coll (27)
|
Chris Hyde
Richmond (93)
|
F: |
Mark McGough
Coll/St Kil (49)
|
Kane Pettifer
Rich (113)
|
Justin Davies
Carl (41)
|
Foll: |
Josh Fraser
Coll/Gold Coa (218)
|
David Mundy
Free (251)
|
Steele Sidebottom
Coll (163)
|
Interchange:
Andrew Browne – Rich (12)
Blake Campbell – Carl (11)
Marcus Drum – Frem (22)
Riley Dunn – Frem (8)
Brad Stephens – Nth Melb (2)
Bo Nixon – Coll/Haw (4)
Luke Lowden – Haw (1)
Nick Holman – Carl (9)
Josh Schache – Bris (17)
Last Modified on 12/11/2016 10:33