Nedlands Rugby Club’s Mark Badham has been included as one of eight nominees for the 2012 National Volunteer of the Year Award as part of this year’s National Volunteer Recognition Program.
Each year every State and Territory Rugby Union provide one nomination for the Award, with the winner announced at the annual John Eales Medal, which will be held next Thursday 1 November.
The award is determined by ARU’s Chairman Michael Hawker, Managing Director and CEO John O’Neill AO and General Manager of Community Rugby, Ian Alker.
The criteria used to select the National Volunteer of the Year include innovation and leadership, contribution of best practice principles and contribution to Rugby within their State or Territory.
Badham has been long-serving and dedicated member of the Nedlands Rugby Club having served as a referee, grounds marshal, tour leader and mentor to senior players.
He was integral in the club’s acknowledgement as the most hospitable club for 2012 as judged by the WA Referees Association, and has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to the club by receiving the Tony Danilenko Award on two successive occasions.
Badham, who received the 2012 RugbyWA Volunteer of the year, dresses the fields at The Foreshore and looks after the club’s visitors at each home match.
He will attend the dinner with son Paul.
ARU Managing Director and CEO, John O’Neill AO, congratulated all of the candidates and thanked them for their dedication and commitment to Rugby.
“The eight nominees for 2012 are once again outstanding candidates and on behalf of Australian Rugby I thank them for their selfless contribution to the game,” Mr O’Neill said.
“Volunteers are the lifeblood of our game; they ensure our game stays strong in our communities and deserve our thanks and recognition.
“The eight nominees are a wonderful representation of all the volunteers in our game and I wish them the best of luck for the ultimate award, the Volunteer of the Year, next Thursday.”
This year’s other nominees include:
• Malcolm LeLay from the Northern Territory’s Swampdogs Rugby Club;
• Queensland’s David Glover from Central Queensland’s Blackwater Rugby Club;
• Richard Haugh from Victoria’s Geelong Rugby Club
• Mick Pini from the ACT Junior Rugby Union, ACT Schools Rugby Union and St Edmunds College;
• Lorraine Holman from Parramatta’s Merrylands Rugby Club from NSW;
• Steve Sandford, a member of the South Australian Rugby Union Referees Society; and
• Collin Debnam for his contribution to Tasmanian rugby.
The Volunteer of the Year Award recognises the importance of Rugby volunteers in communities across the nation highlighting how their dedication and commitment makes such a significant contribution to the game of Rugby in Australia.
The winner of the 2012 National Volunteer of the Year will be announced and presented at Rugby’s night of nights the John Eales Medal, next Thursday, 1 November at the Sydney Exhibition and Convention Centre.