THE Western Region Football League has officially inducted Sharyn Grima and Michael Psaila as Life Members.
Both Grima and Psaila have dedicated a countless amount of hours to the Sunshine Heights and St Albans Football Clubs, respectively, and have deservedly been recognised for their longstanding contribution to the league with this honour.
Grima’s involvement with Sunshine Heights has spanned more than 30 years.
She has been president, vice president, secretary, assistant secretary, administrator, treasurer, assistant treasurer and canteen manager.
“I think I have been everything except a trainer,” Grima laughed.
Across the journey she has also been recognised for her ongoing commitment to the club.
She was voted Best Club Person in 1992, 1999, 2005 and in 2012, was inducted as a Life Member of Sunshine Heights in 1997 and was also honoured by the Brimbank Council for Volunteer Service to the Community in 2010.
Grima said it is a thrill to become a Life Member of the WRFL.
“It is a nice acknowledgement, it shows that women do contribute to football,” she said.
“It is recognition for all the hours all the volunteers put in.”
Grima said one of the main reasons she continued to volunteer with Sunshine Heights was because she enjoyed being a part of the club’s community.
“It is gratifying to see juniors come through the ranks to the seniors and they become responsible adults,” she also said.
Michael Psaila has also been honoured with WRFL Life Membership.
Psaila has a long list of WRFL achievements, having won five premierships with St Albans as a player.
He then when on to become a coach, coaching about 300 games for the Saints, leading the club to another two flags.
Psaila was on the football club committee for 15 years and was the president for 10 years.
As well as his stint with St Albans, he was also an important part of the WRFL team.
He was on the FDFL/WRFL Committee of Management for 15 years, was on the Leagues Rule Committee, chaired the WRFL strategic planning meetings and was a board member for three years.
Psaila said he was humbled to receive Life Membership from the WRFL.
He said it wasn’t the premierships that were his biggest highlight, it was the friendships he made over the years as well as helping troubled youth get back on the right track.
“The premierships were enjoyable, but the real prize was the friendships I have made a long the way,” Psaila said.
“The premierships I won came early in my football career and I learnt that there is more to football than winning premierships.
“The pleasure I got from seeing troubled kids get back on the right pathway through football was great.
“Football provided so many kids with life lessons.”
Both Grima and Psaila will receive their Life Memberships at the 2016 WRFL Season Launch.
Last Modified on 11/12/2015 12:36