Woolgoolga’s Jada Johnson has just been named the Newcastle Permanent Volunteer of the Year for North Coast Football (NCF) – an honour which blindsided her.
“I was quite surprised. It came from the blue. No one had said anything so I didn’t even know I had been nominated,” Jada said.
But it’s a gong well earned – as Jada and her husband and daughter have been more than keen to support the club wherever there’s need.
“Every Saturday we help with the set-up and pack-up. I think I’ve done pretty much every role at the club at some time or another over the years,” she said.
“It’s just that sense of satisfaction you get from helping the community.
“There’s always a lot to do with 400 players in winter and the six-a-side competition over the summer.”
Jada and family relocated to the area 11 years ago, and soon found themselves in the thick of things at Woopi.
“I signed up to play and it just went from there,” Jada said.
“I’ve been the treasurer and registrar for the past eight years, I play for the women’s over 30s and women’s first grade and coach the men’s over 35s, well I organise the kit and formation for the men.”
“Despite COVID we’ve had a great season at Woolgoolga FC, we’ve had over four hundred registrations which is a record for the football club in it’s 50th anniversary, we will be having a big celebration to commemorate the landmark and a great season,” said Jada.