Top footy honour for club stalwart

Dampier Football Club stalwart Russell “Emu” Turner was last week crowned the top football volunteer in WA. Mr Turner, pictured, has long been involved in the sporting world, with one of his greatest commitments being president of the Dampier Sharks since 1997. At the Sandover Medal count in Perth on Tuesday last week, Turner received the WA Football Volunteer of the Year award in recognition of his 20-plus years of tireless dedication to the sport. Turner is involved at all levels, from unlocking the clubrooms each match day, to ensuring all volunteers are in place, to co-ordinating paperwork, preparing awards and dealing with any issues that arise. He also assists with the junior associations and has been instrumental in incorporating a women’s competition in the league. Turner is passionate about players’ wellbeing. He often holds mental health sessions and is highly trusted among the club. He never misses committee meetings and provides support to all members of the Sharks, the community and wider football commission. Turner said it was “awesome” to be selected the winner . “It’s something to put on the mantelpiece and talk about later on. It won’t change anything — I would still like to see football develop and give the opportunity for kids to play Auskick and then come through the ranks and become seniors. I’ve seen a few of those,” he said. Turner said volunteering was rewarding and spoke positively of his time as president. “You meet the most interesting people and in the most interesting times too,” he said. “You don’t get a financial reward as a volunteer, you get an emotional and a social reward. Having grown up playing sport and volunteering at a Goldfields club as well as for the Paraburdoo Saints before coming to Dampier, Turner said football isn’t always about winning — it’s about getting together with your local community and learning life skills. “Footy certainly challenges you. Being able to control your emotions is a strong one. Just putting on a good spectacle to foster football is really the aim of the game.”