The 2023 St George Community Awards
The St George Community Awards provides the community the opportunity to recognise someone who goes above and beyond in support of the community. There are eight award categories, of which four were awarded to AFL Sydney Representatives from the St George Football Club.
Ty Gander received the Youth Achievement Award, which recognises an exceptional young person under the age of 25 in their field of study or work and/or who has shown strong leadership, drive and passion to make a positive difference in their community, school or club. Ty had an exceptional season in 2023 representing St George at Premier Division level, while also playing at VFL level with the Sydney Swans. As a significant highlight, he also played at national championship level with both the Sydney Swans Academy and the Allies squad, which is a combined team of the best players at U18 level from NSW, ACT, QLD, NT and Tasmania. At club level Ty has impressed with high levels of maturity and personal discipline, showing significant commitment to personal and team improvement, leading by example in the way he trains and carries himself around the club.
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The St. George Dragons Women’s Division One Team received the Sporting Achievement Award. Honouring outstanding local sports achievers (individuals or team), with their community activity such as coaching, fundraising or other volunteering also considered.. The St. George Dragons Women’s Division One team won the premiership in 2023, after four years of commitment and hard work from the club to establish and grow its women’s program. In doing so the team has now achieved promotion to the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division competition for season 2024, which is an amazing achievement for the playing group and the club, and now provides a clear pathway and opportunity for female youth players from around the St George and Sutherland area to develop their skills and play at the highest level of community football available in Sydney. In 2023 the club was able to field three women’s teams, enabling women of all playing abilities and ages to participate in a strong and growing community sport, showcasing the tremendous growth of women’s football in the St George region and across NSW as a whole. In 2023 the St George AFL Club established its first Female Youth Sporting Academy providing a specialist training and coaching opportunity led by senior players from the Swans and Giants AFLW teams.
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Angie Zissis, the President of the St. George Dragons was awarded the Individual Volunteer Achievement Award, which acknowledges an unsung hero in our community who has, through creativity, initiative, hard work and dedication, made a positive contribution to the lives of others. Angie is a passionate advocate for the growth of AFL football in Sydney and has committed himself to the development of the game, at both junior and senior levels in the St George region. He is a selfless and tireless contributor who inspires everyone around the club to do more themselves through the example he sets. Angie has been the President of the St George senior AFL club since 2019, after making a ten year contribution to the success of the Penshurst Junior AFL club, mostly as Club President. Angie’s contribution to the St George club, is all encompassing, incorporating all of the things that Community sporting clubs need week in, week out, to be sustainable and successful. From sweeping and bbq’ing to local government liaison and leading infrastructure development initiatives, Angie’s contribution is always positive, respectful and effective, and continues to be invaluable to the ongoing success of the club and everyone involved. Under his guidance Olds Park is currently looking forward to a significant upgrade of facilities that will make it one of the best community sporting venues in Sydney and ensure its future as a centre of excellence for AFL in the southern part of Sydney. Angie’s tireless efforts inspire those around him to work towards the same goals and his commitment to making the St George Dragons the most inclusive and sustainable AFL club in Sydney has been truly remarkable. He has been instrumental in creating a safe and healthy community sporting environment that is positively shaping the lives of young sports men and women across the St George and Sutherland region.
(Dion Zissis accepting Angie’s award on his behalf)
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In addition, Brendan Donohue received the Senior Volunteer Achievement Award, which is presented to a person, aged 65 or over, who has made a significant contribution to the local community. Brendan Donohue has been one of the most prominent and influential figures in Australian Football in the south for many years and is well known and respected across the Sydney AFL community for his enduring contribution at club and league level to the development of AFL football in Sydney. Brendan came to the St George Club in 2006 at a time when the club was facing an uncertain future. In 2009 he took on the role of Club President and set about restoring the club’s viability and prospects for future success. With thanks to his construction and project management experience, Brendan soon returned St George to prominence as a competitive and viable community sporting entity. Whilst still an active member of the Club committee, Brendan was St George President from 2009 to 2019, and in that role was significantly responsible for several successful grant applications that resulted in a vastly improved Olds Park sporting precinct, which is now accessible to numerous sporting groups all year round the St George area. Some of the improvements Brendan can take credit for include the greatly improved drainage and playing surface at Olds Park, new ground fencing and lighting, a large and modern electronic scoreboard and clubhouse extensions that have vastly improved the playing and accommodation facilities for the ever-increasing number of St George community members playing AFL.
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