State Volunteer of the Year Award Announcement
PCN Sports Alliance would like to congratulate Geoff Morgan from the Sorrento Football
Netball Club on the announcement of Geoff winning the AFL State Volunteer of the Year
Award.
The AFL State Volunteer of the Year Program is a volunteer recognition program which
commenced as part of the Australian Football 150 years celebrations and rewards seven
outstanding volunteers with an experience of lifetime for them and a partner. Each club,
league or association was invited to nominate an outstanding volunteer as an AFL State
Volunteer of the Year. The volunteer may have contributed to the completion of a major
or significant project throughout the year or they may be someone who has contributed
in a number of roles over a long period.
PCN Sports Alliance Chief Executive Officer Jeff Jones said “Volunteers are the backbone
of football and netball in Victoria. Throughout Victoria across all leagues, it is estimated
that more than 35,500 volunteers work tirelessly each weekend to maintain football and
netball at the grass roots level. Volunteers come in many forms, from players and
coaches to committee members and supporters, but each and every club relies on their
combined contribution to survive.”
“This year PCN Sports Alliance themed rounds 17 and 18 as Volunteer Rounds to
highlight the efforts of individuals whose inspiring actions and dedication have made a
significant difference to their football and netball club” Jones said.
I am sure it an extremely proud day for Geoff and his family, Friends, Sorrento Football
Netball Club, Players, Supporters and any person who has been involved with Geoff
Morgan over the years…
A bit of History on Geoff Morgan
Geoff Morgan was born on 17th March 1938 in Elsternwick, Victoria and has either
played football, cricket or been an administrator continuously for the Sorrento Football
Club (and Sorrento Cricket Club) for over sixty years. Geoff first played Australian Rules
Football from the age of 13 with the Sorrento Football Club initially in the reserves
grade.
Three years later he was selected to play his first Senior game at the age of 16. Geoff
has played in excess of 200 games, which includes winning the 1964 Premiership in the
Mornington Peninsula Football League. Geoff continued to play football up until 1970.
Geoff joined the Sorrento football club committee in 1984 as treasurer and team
manager of the seniors both these positions he still holds today, Reserves team manager from 1984 for 5 seasons
Geoff attends every training session, home and away games from the Under 18’s
onwards. The club estimates that Geoff has spent on average approximately 25 hours
per week on football club activities over the last 30 years. He has not, and would refuse
even if offered, any sort of payment for his services.
Outside of the Sorrento Football Netball Club Geoff is also a valued member of the
Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League historians committee who meet every
month.
Geoff’s wife Cynthia posted this message on social media yesterday
GREAT NEWS my husband GEOFF MORGAN received a phone call yesterday the 2nd
September 2014 from Victorian Football League (AFL Victoria) to congratulate him on
winning Victorian State Volunteer of the Year award. We are all very excited Bradley
Vanessa Jayden and I.
We know how hard he works and how much he loves doing it. Geoff and I will have 3
days in Melbourne compliments of AFL. We will have breakfast and cocktail parties to
attend and Geoff will go in the football parade on the Friday before the game along with
the winners from the other states.
On the Saturday we have the big breakfast pre game then head down to the M.C.G. for
the lap of honour of the ground with the other winners and then settle down to watch all
the pregame formalities. Geoff is being very coy about it all but he deserves the honour
of the accolades.
In the year 2OOO Geoff received the Australian sporting achievement award and the
Australian Sports Medal from the Queen and Prime Minister John Howard, which was a
very proud moment for him. We would like to thank Sorrento committee for there
nomination for this award and I am sure there will be many people in the community
that will wish him all the best at this very proud moment
Geoff Morgan’s club history was supplied by Garry Woodhams, for further information
please contact the Sorrento Football Netball Club
Last Modified on 04/09/2014 15:07