The NSW Rugby League is calling on the Rugby League community to thank the 32,000 volunteers from 700 clubs across the state for the tireless work they do and nominate outstanding achievements for special recognition.
Coinciding with National Volunteer Week celebrations across the country, the NSWRL has today officially launched the organisation’s annual Community Awards to acknowledge the work done by volunteers in 2025 to ensure community footy exists for the more than 120,000 participants registered to play. Nominations close 13 June.
NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden said the number of registered volunteers in NSWRL clubs has increased almost 12 per cent in 2025 (year on year) and the contributions of each of the 32,000 volunteers cannot be overstated.
“It is very fitting that the theme of National Volunteer Week is ‘connecting communities’ because our volunteers are the lifeblood of our organisation and they play a valuable role in connecting the communities they operate in,” he said.
“It goes without saying that without our 32,000 dedicated volunteers and the often thankless work they do week in week out, community football would struggle to exist for the 117,000 plus boys, girls, men and women now playing our game.
“Volunteering is a challenge for sporting organisations across the country so it is incredibly important that we show our appreciation and take the time to recognise the achievements of our volunteers by nominating them for the NSWRL Community Awards.
“We would love to hear the stories of the wonderful people who thanklessly give up their time so people of all ages can enjoy the Game for All.”
Awards are presented across a number of categories, with the major award being the ‘Gordon Lowrie’ Volunteer of the Year, which is chosen from the 12 winners of each region across the state.
Other awards include Community Rugby League Club of the Year, ‘Dennis Braybrook’ Community Official of the Year, Community Coach of the Year (male and female), Inclusive Volunteer of the Year, First Nations Volunteer of the Year, and Young Person of the Year.
The ‘Gordon Lowrie’ Volunteer of the Year will win prizes including a VIP experience at a NSWRL Major Competitions Grand Final, a State of Origin jersey and an invitation to the Community Football Conference, while the Club of the Year will win a $2000 Steeden voucher and a BBQ funded by the NSWRL. Finalists of several 2025 NSWRL Community Awards will be nominated for the equivalent of the 2025 NRL Community Awards.
The ‘Gordon Lowrie’ Volunteer of the Year will be announced at the prestigious Brad Fittler Medal. Previous winners of the award include Khalil Kouayder (2024), not only the Greenacre Tigers club secretary since 2016, but also fulfilling many other roles at training and games, home and away; Christopher Hollis (2023), who ensured First Nations and socially disadvantaged children had opportunities to play at Taree Red Rovers; Wendy Povey (2022), who held a range of roles from Treasurer to canteen supervisor at Morpeth Bulls; and Theresa Tasaico (2021), who worked tirelessly to re-establish Riverwood Legion JRLFC in the St George District.
All nominations will be considered and reviewed by a NSWRL selection panel and incomplete nominations will not be accepted.
To be eligible for any award, nominees:
- Must be registered in the current season
- Must hold the appropriate accreditation for their role
- Must have a current WWCC (if applicable)
- Must not have had a Code of Conduct breach in the past two years.
NSWRL Community Award categories
- 'Gordon Lowrie’ Volunteer of the Year Award
This award is chosen from the winners of the Volunteer of the Year Awards from the 12 NSWRL Regions:
Broken Bay Region Volunteer of the Year
Central Sydney Region Volunteer of the Year
East Coast Region Volunteer of the Year
Macarthur Region Volunteer of the Year
Monaro Region Volunteer of the Year
Newcastle and Maitland Region Volunteer of the Year
Northern Region Volunteer of the Year
Riverina Region Volunteer of the Year
South Coast Region Volunteer of the Year
Southern Sydney Region Volunteer of the Year
Western NSW Region Volunteer of the Year
Western Sydney Region Volunteer of the Year
- Dennis Braybrook’ Community Official of the Year Award
- Community Coach of the Year (Female) Award
- Community Coach of the Year (Male) Award
- Inclusive Volunteer of the Year Award, presented by What Ability
- First Nations Volunteer of the Year Award, presented by KARI Foundation
- Community Rugby League Club of the Year Award, presented by Steeden
- Young Person of the Year Award
Click here to vote. Voting closes on Sunday 13 June.
Community Awards Prize Packages
NSWRL Volunteer of the Year Award
A NSWRL Volunteer of the Year Award nominee will have provided excellent service to the game of Rugby League and will have made a measurable difference in their community.
The nominee must demonstrate the NSWRL’s values of inheritance, professional, united, courageous, innovative and legacy as well as a unique contribution to their community through Rugby League.
Regional Winners (x12):
- 1 x ticket to the Brad Fittler Medal
- Supporter Pack
- State Winner:A NSWRL Major Competitions Grand Final VIP experience for two
- State of Origin Jersey
- Invitation to the Community Football Conference
- In the running to win the NRL’s Community Volunteer of the Year Award.
NSWRL First Nations Volunteer of the Year Award – Presented by KARI Foundation
The NSWRL Indigenous Volunteer of the Year Award is presented to someone who has acted as an exceptional advocate for the growth of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s participation in rugby league.
- 1 x ticket to the Brad Fittler Medal
- Supporter Pack
- In the running to win the NRL’s Community Indigenous VOTY Award, presented by Westpac
NSWRL Inclusive Volunteer of the Year Award – Presented by What Ability
The NSWRL Inclusive Volunteer of the Year Award recognises a valuable contribution that volunteers make to the game of Rugby League through Culturally Diverse, Disability and LGBTIQ communities.
- 1 x ticket to the Brad Fittler Medal
- Supporter Pack
NSWRL Community Rugby League Club of the Year Award – Presented by Steeden
The NSWRL Community Rugby League Club of the Year Award will be presented to a Rugby League Club that has enhanced participation and enjoyment of Rugby League within their club.
The club is recognised as an integral part of their community going above and beyond to make a positive impact in their community through Rugby League.
- BBQ funded by NSWRL
- $2000 Steeden Voucher
- In the running to win the NRL’s Community Club of the Year Award, presented by Westpac
NSWRL Community Coach of the Year (Male) Award
The NSWRL Community Coach of the Year Award gives parents and Clubs an opportunity to recognise their outstanding male coaches and their contribution to their players and the game of Rugby League.
Nominations will be taken for coaches that demonstrate an over and above contribution to retention of players maximising participation of all players in their teams.
- A NSWRL Major Competitions Grand Final VIP experience for 1
- Supporter Pack
- State of Origin Jersey
NSWRL Community Coach of the Year (Female) Award
The NSWRL Community Coach of the Year Award gives parents and Clubs an opportunity to recognise their outstanding coaches and their contribution to their players and the game of Rugby League.
Nominations will be taken for coaches that demonstrate an over and above contribution to retention of players maximising participation of all players in their teams.
- A NSWRL Major Competitions Grand Final VIP experience for 1
- Supporter Pack
- State of Origin Jersey
NSWRL Young Person of the Year Award
The NSWRL Young Person of the Year Award is presented to a young person aged 12 – 24 (born between 2001 – 2013) who has demonstrated a commitment to advancing the NSWRL’s mission of using rugby league to bring people together to enrich their lives.
Young people are the future leaders of our game and the wider community. The NSWRL Young Person of the Year Award recognises and celebrates the positive contribution of young people to the game of rugby league and the wider community.
- State of Origin Jersey
- Supporter Pack
- Invitation to the Community Football Conference
- In the running to win the NRL’s Community Young Person of the Year Award, presented by Westpac
