THREE prominent Geelong football identities have made it amongst the Top 20 finalists for the inaugural Viva Energy Club Legend award 2017.

Now all Geelong region residents can have their say, by reviewing each finalist and casting a vote for the unsung hero who has demonstrated commitment, selflessness and/or an ability to inspire others.

The finalist with the most votes will win the prestigious People’s Choice award and receive $2,000 for themselves as well as their respective club.

The three football identities selected include newly appointed North Geelong Warriors Football Operations Manager and ex-president Josip Zilic, 70 year old Geelong Rangers kitchen operator and club stalwart Lyn Toll and Surfside Waves president and the Ocean Grove club’s ‘jack of all trades’ Kev Bowers.

Their profiles are featured below. To cast your vote, go to the following link: https://clublegend.com.au/vote/

Voting closes October 4.

JOSIP ZILIC

(Junior Coach and Operations Manager)

North Geelong Warriors FC

From sports trainer to coach, President to Technical Director even grill cook, you name it, Josip has done it.

When he came to the club our juniors were at 70 players, with his leadership that rose to 150 in one year and now sits at over 300.

He also lobbied government for to help support a facilities upgrade at the club and managed to successfully bring vital funding for new change rooms to accommodate the player growth.

Josip has introduced the club to new migrant communities in recent years to provide a sporting pathway to community integration for new Australians in the region, to which the club provides sports scholarships.

Josip helps other clubs with their trials and is part of the region’s Leadership Board implementing a vision and strategy for football and it’s communities, along the way creating invaluable relationships that benefit all those that football touches.

LYN TOLL

(Kitchen operator)

Geelong Rangers SC

Our gorgeous 70-year-old Lyn Toll has been at our club for many years. She helps with everything from running the kitchen to cleaning the clubrooms, she has also been a committee member for some time.

Lyn will often drive some of the refugee members who do not have access to transport to and from training and their games.

Lyn is the heart and soul of Geelong Rangers, always there to open up the club rooms and is still there at the end to turn off lights and lock up.

Lyn is at every senior match to cheer on the team and goes to as many junior games as she can.  She is welcoming and would help anyone in need, finding boots for kids when they haven’t got a pair and has even been known to put her own hand in her pocket to help when needed.

You would struggle to find someone as dedicated, caring and loving as our Lyn Toll.

KEVIN BOWERS

(Club President)

Surfside Waves SC

Kevin is the president of Surfside Waves Soccer Club in Ocean Grove. Not only president but also grounds line-painter and illuminator, player, Board Member, Committee Member, coach of four teams, soccer-players’ dad, semi-coordinator of MiniRoos, canteen-stockist and barista, advisor, club- and training-rooms unlocker, defender, reporter, substitute ref, sounding-board, linesman… 

Kev is ever-present, always positive and a fierce ambassador for Surfside Waves to be a Club which welcomes and embraces everyone…

He dedicates his time to the Club to promote community of spirit in respectful, proud and compassionate people, sharing and belonging together with the game of football as a common passion.

And finally, he always has time to chat with the kids who play soccer, a role model showing  that sport is a positive and fantastic way of enjoying community.