Coaches, Volunteer & Trainer of the Year honoured at 2024 VAFA Awards

The 2024 VAFA Awards Night saw the VAFA community recognise the contributions of outstanding Coaches and Volunteers through the Carruthers Executive Coach of the Year (Men’s teams and Women’s Teams), The PASS Volunteer of the Year and Victor Sports Trainer of the Year Awards.

All three awards received a huge number of nominations throughout the 2024 season, highlighting the depth of quality people making vital contributions at club level across the VAFA.

The winners were announced at the Awards Night:

• Carruthers Executive Coach of the Year Women’s teams – MEGAN CORSER (Kew FC)
• Carruthers Executive Coach of the Year Men’s teams – JARROD GIESCHEN (Old Ivanhoe Grammarians FC)
• The PASS Volunteer of the Year – MICHAEL LEARMONTH (St Mary’s Salesian AFC)
• Victor Sports Trainer of the Year – ELIZABETH RAVALLI (North Brunswick FC)

All demonstrated exemplary commitment to their clubs and were deserving winners, as evidenced by their nominations during the year:

MEGAN CORSER (Division 4 Women’s – Kew Football Club) was nominated by Kate Cook (Club Player).

“Megan Corser, fondly known as Megs, is an outstanding coach for the Kew Football Club’s Women’s four’s team.

She embodies the virtue of inclusivity in her approach to the game – everyone is welcomed by her, new players are coached from whatever level they are at, and she listens to her players and integrates their thoughts and goals into training and games.

In her first season as a coach in 2023, she took her team all the way to the Grand Final, and this year they made their division’s finals series once again.

Many of her players were new to football and she’d met them at preseason training ready to help them understand the game and build their confidence.

Throughout the season Megs keeps the vibes high and doesn’t let her players get sucked into what their opponents were doing – instead concentrating on playing their own game and having fun.

Despite facing tough losses in finals, every player on that team would have wanted Meg at the helm to remind them to be proud of the work they put in, and to enjoy every minute to matter the outcome.

Outside of her coaching she gets around all three Women’s teams at Kew. The little things she does in the background to make the players experience a good one doesn’t go unnoticed. Her love of football is obvious to everyone, but more than that she loves people and wants to provide support to help others succeed.

All up Megs is an inspiring coach and an excellent person to have as part of the Kew Football Club Women’s program. She is passionate and honest with her players to help them improve their game and work together, but she also has great perspective and knows that football is a game that should be fun and fulfilling and is about more than just the win.

JARROD GIESCHEN (Premier B Men’s – Old Ivanhoe Grammarians FC) was nominated by Chris Branigan (Club President).

“Jarrod Gieschen has been a transformative figure at Old Ivanhoe Grammarians Football Club since taking the helm as senior coach in 2018. His leadership has not only delivered on-field success, but also cultivated a deeply connected, family-oriented culture within the club.

Under his guidance, the 2017 Under 19 premiership graduates have matured into a disciplined and cohesive group of young men, united by a shared respect for one another and a love for the club.

Central to Jarrod’s approach is the concept of family. He has made this a core theme, actively fostering an environment where players, staff and volunteers feel a sense of belonging. This commitment is evident in his own personal involvement, as he has brought his father, Jeff Gieschen, into the coaching team, symbolising the multi-generational bonds that he values so deeply.

Jarrod’s young sons are regular fixtures at Chelsworth Park, whether at training or on game days, creating an authentic family atmosphere that is as important off the field as it is on. The respect and love he shows for his father and sons provide a powerful example for the young men he coaches.

Jarrod has expertly led our coaching staff to ensure that all members of the playing group and our supporter community are respectful.  This begins with our facilities, where the phrase ‘sweep the sheds’ is often heard.  It extends to respect for our volunteers and the relationships we have with each other.

The results speak for themselves: four club premierships in his time as senior coach reflect not only his tactical acumen, but his ability to recruit well and foster a team culture of commitment and care.

His efforts have gone beyond coaching; Jarrod has been instrumental in securing committee members and sponsors, further demonstrating his dedication to the club’s long-term success. Jarrod Gieschen’s legacy at OIGFC is not just one of trophies, but of building a family that will sustain the club for years to come.”

MICHAEL LEARMONTH (St Mary’s Salesian AFC) was nominated by Penny Heath (Club President).

“Michael (Leo) is the heart and soul of what it means to be a life member and good community leader at St Marys Salesian.

Michael has served the club since 1982, which involves various roles including President, coach, umpire, director of football etc.

This year, Leo has focused on helping us tap into former players and life members to become more actively involved in our community. I know this was not his preferred focus – having spent years in footy ops – but his ability to know and connect people from our community is a skill that he has and we value. So, he took on the challenge.

At the end of May/early June, Leo delivered a fantastic gold saints and life members lunch which helped our club raise over $5000. More importantly, this event was run by a former member of the club, with the support of Leo.

It is extremely challenging to re-introduce former players and members back into the active participation in a club. We will be holding a 2nd event and under 19s parent event, with the support of this new addition to our volunteer pool.

Perhaps one of Leo’s biggest superpowers is to connect people and re-engage with former players to keep the ‘Saints’ spirit alive. In addition to this work, Leo ensures that all our legend former players are engaged to present their jumpers to new players.

We would be lost without long-term members like Leo who continually put their hand up each week, turn up to every Thursday night dinner and have a knack of making every person they connect with feel valued and welcomed at our club.

ELIZABETH RAVALLI (North Brunswick FC) was nominated by Jake Barclay (Club Coach).

“Lizzy has committed an incredible amount of her time to a club that can be often quite transient. She’s sacrificed her weekends for the past 30 years to make sure the players are strapped and looked after if they are injured, she feeds them oranges and lollies and plenty of rubs on sore legs.

Lizzy is an unofficial mother or grandmother to a lot of the players as she has such a caring nature. She is a big part of the fabric that holds our community club together.”

The VAFA congratulates all our Community Award nominees and winners and celebrates the contributions of all our coaches and volunteers throughout the season.

Our clubs could not thrive without their passion, commitment and selflessness – qualities which are at the very heart and soul of what the VAFA is all about – ‘For the Love of the Game.’

Our deepest thanks to everyone at VAFA clubs who contributed their time and energy to help deliver such a successful and enjoyable 2024 season for all.