TWO women who work hard behind the scenes of their sporting organisations will fly the local flag at the Holiday Inn Potts Point CRL Community Awards this weekend.
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Denman-Sandy Hollow JRLFC's Lillian Hagan and Muswellbrook and District JRLFC's Bianca Johnston have been nominated to represent the Greater Northern Region at the prestigious ceremony, which is taking place on Saturday, August 24.
There, the CRL will celebrate a number of its most valuable contributors.
Hagan is in line for Volunteer of the Year while Johnston vies for the Women in League crown.
"After regional voting, we received a total of 18 nominees," a CRL spokesperson said.
"Country Rugby League is extremely thankful to the volunteers in our game.
"As well, we appreciate the fantastic work that our clubs do in their communities both on and off the field."
Hagan is currently the secretary of the young Devils and does everything from operating the canteen to handling all registrations and merchandise for all teams, cleaning the toilets, grandstand and dressing sheds after home games, First Aid, ground managing and overseeing the under-12s.
She's also washed their jerseys every match for the past six years.
Hagan has four children who play for the club and is the first person at training on Tuesdays and Thursdays to help wherever she can.
She's been instrumental in creating a supportive and encouraging environment for women in the local community to be involved in the game.
For example, Hagan encouraged numerous mothers to complete their level one First Aid course to help their children's teams because fathers are often not available due to shift work in the area.
Johnston is the Muswellbrook JRL women's league coordinator for their six sides.
Her dedication is one of the main reasons rugby league is available to females in Group 21.
She urged the Rams to join the CRL 9's competition in 2016 and house the Group 21 winter competition squad in 2017.
Johnston single-handedly filled the teams, found coaches, managers, trainers and signed them up for the correct courses.
Fast-forward to 2019 and two of these sides are at the top of their respective competitions - and she is looking to add an under-18's women's tackle outfit next season.
Girls at the Muswellbrook club have started to participate in rugby league earlier because Johnston has started women's tackle teams, giving them an avenue to continue playing.
From Monday to Thursday, she is at every training session for her girls' teams, attends league tag games on Friday night and tackle fixtures on Saturdays.
Volunteer of the Year
Greater Northern Region - Lillian Hagan (Denman-Sandy Hollow Devils Junior Rugby League)
East Coast Region - Mark Harrison (Cudgen Hornets)
Newcastle/Central Coast Region - Thomas George Hickey (Dudley Redhead Magpies Junior Rugby League)
Western Region - Craig Parsons (Kandos Waratahs)
Greater Southern Region - Russell Roger Henry (Mt Warrigal Kooris United)
Bidgee Region - Raymond 'Ack' Weyman (Moruya Sharks)
Club of the Year
Greater Northern Region - Manilla Minor Rugby League
East Coast Region - Kyogle Junior Rugby League
Newcastle/Central Coast Region - West Wallsend Junior Rugby League
Western Region - Menindee Yabbies
Greater Southern Region - Sussex Inlet & District Rugby League Football Club Inc.
Bidgee Region - Tathra Sea Eagles
Women in League
Greater Northern Region - Bianca Johnston (Muswellbrook District Junior Rugby League)
East Coast Region - Kerry Lee (Group 1 Junior Rugby League)
Newcastle/Central Coast - Nunzia Galloway (Maitland and District Junior Rugby League Association)
Western Region - Sue Egan (Western Region, Group 11, Dubbo and District Junior Rugby League)
Greater Southern Region - Alysha Janssen (Berkeley Eagles)
Bidgee Region - Barbara Pfeiffer (Valley Dragons Junior Rugby League)
