Kyneton District Soccer Club’s Ron Cole has been named Football Victoria’s Male Volunteer of the Year for 2023.
The award recognises individuals who have selflessly dedicated their time and efforts to not only grow and develop the sport – but breathe life into communities.
The award was presented at Football Victoria’s Community Awards luncheon.
Cole said if you asked his family, the Kyneton club “means everything to him”.
“When you spend a lot of time in an organisation, you meet a lot of people and make life-long friends who become part of your life,” he explained.
“It is fantastic recognition for not only me, but all the volunteers within the club. They put in a tremendous amount of time and I am just the lucky one who got the award.”
A long-time player with Kyneton, Cole has held every position in the club across more than four decades, from president, treasurer and secretary. He even coached the senior women’s side in 2023.
“From my time at the club, a personal highlight would have to be winning the Championship as coach of our senior women’s side this season, and watching all the kids come through from the junior ranks to the senior sides,” he said.
Cole has served multiple stints as club president, and currently also sits as vice-president of the Bendigo Amateur Soccer League, leading mental health initiatives, cultural sensitivity training, and undertaking the Change Maker program.
Under his leadership at Kyneton, female participation has grown by more than 650 per cent at the club across the past decade, now representing 45 per cent overall participation of the club’s 600 strong membership base.
His commitment as a volunteer has also seen successful advocacy with local, state and federal government to unlock investment in pitch, lighting and facility infrastructure at Barkly Square.
On November 24 the official opening of the major upgrade at Barkly Square took place, and this was mostly due to his passion to create a welcoming family environment where everyone can come together through football.
Ron’s legacy is one of selfless dedication, putting every player, parent and member above himself – a devotion to the game that has left an incredible mark on thousands of people.
MiniRoos Centre of the Year
At the same Football Victoria presentation luncheon, Kyneton was proclaimed MiniRoos Centre of the Year.
This award recognises the decision to move the MiniRoos kick-off program to the summer season.
The success was extraordinary, with a surge in participants from 30 to 150 in the past year
