SELWYN Jones admits he was never the greatest footballer running around the paddock.
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But the South West District Football Netball League president loves the game and helping develop junior players through Auskick programs.
Jones, a stalwart of the Tyrendarra Football Netball Club, has been heading up the Auskick program for the past 20 years and yesterday his commitment was recognised with an Australian Government Sports Achievement Award.
“It’s my biggest thrill watching the juniors develop,” Jones said at the presentations in Portland.
“We run it down at the Narrawong School every Wednesday night and have about 17 kids running around.
“We have one of the best ratios of boys to girls, with about two to one.”
Next season Jones will watch on as the seventh boy from the Auskick program will line up with Tyrendarra’s seniors side.
“But it’s not just football we are feeding into. The girls are learning game skills and team skills that are transferable,” he said.
“I have great support from the club, the Narrawong School and the parents. They make my job easy.
“This is a pretty special award and something I’ll cherish.”