Ashford Junior Rugby League Club claimed the title of ‘CRL Club of the Year’ in Sydney on Saturday evening.
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The booming club was nominated for the Country Rugby League (CRL) community awards for their dedication to junior league.
After having formed in 2015 to cater for young players living in their small community, husband and wife duo Craig and Kat Tulczyn continued to see growth in the club.
Craig said it was an honour to accept the Club of the Year Award on Saturday evening on behalf of Ashford as a community.
Not only has player registrations grown since 2015, from one team to 95 active players in both tackle and league tag, but the number of volunteers have also doubled.
The Tulcyn’s have worked with local government organisations to provide new dressing rooms and a canteen, whilst creating a culture of participation run by the people, for the people.
Ashford’s junior club has become an integral part of the local community by providing an outlet for youngsters to become actively involved in the sport.
SEE MORE: Ashford nominated for Club of the Year
CRL chairman John Anderson praised the work of not only the nominees on the night, but the thousands of CRL volunteers across the state.
“The community awards are a great opportunity for us to thanks some of the amazing volunteers who dedicate their time to rugby league across regional NSW.
“You cannot put a value on the work volunteers do because they are truly priceless to their local communities.
Being nominated as an outstanding contributor in your region is a special achievement and all of our nominees can be extremely proud of their efforts.”
Meanwhile, Group 19’s junior president Jeannette Hillier beat out five other worthy contenders to be crowned as the state organisation’s ‘Volunteer of the Year’.
Hillier currently balances her junior president role and a referees coordinator at Glen Innes Minor League.
Her involvement in the sport on and off the field stretches back 30 years and her passion shines through with trying to make the sport available for everyone.
Of the award, Hillier said it doesn’t just belong to her but to the people across the area who make the sport a success.
All award winners from Saturday evening will now progress to the 2018 NRL Community Awards.
