Nominations are now open across Australia for the 2025 Toyota AFL National Volunteer of the Year Awards, with local clubs and leagues encouraged to start nominating and toot the horns for their beloved community members.
For the second consecutive year, thanks to the AFL’s Premier Partner Toyota Australia, two winners nationally will walk away with a brand-new Toyota vehicle including:
- A Toyota Corolla Hatch SX Hybrid for the recipient of the Toyota AFL Community Volunteer of the Year.
- A Toyota Yaris Cross GX 2WD Hybrid for the recipient of the Toyota AFL Young Leader of the Year.
Nominations have fittingly opened during National Volunteer Week, with 13 categories available to enter. These span across umpiring, coaching, disability and inclusion, cultural diversity, media, schools, and grassroots participation programs including NAB AFL Auskick and for the first time, NAB AFL Superkick.
Among the 13 categories, clubs around the country can also be nominated for the Toyota Community Club of the year, while a local school who has reached the ‘Hall of Fame’ membership tier in the AFL Schools program has the chance to claim the AFL Schools – School of the Year Award.
The national winners will all receive a once-in-a-lifetime 2025 Toyota AFL Grand Final experience where they’ll be able to soak up the incredible atmosphere of the last Saturday in September and participate in the Toyota Grand Final Parade.
Each state and territory association will award local winners in each category at the end of the season, with those recipients then considered for national titles.
AFL Executive General Manager of Game Development, Rob Auld, encouraged football communities to start nominating deserving volunteers.
“The Toyota AFL National Volunteer of the Year Awards are a terrific way to recognise and celebrate volunteers in the community who go above and beyond for their club and our game,” Auld said.
“For the second year in a row I’m delighted that two national award winners will receive a brand-new car thanks to our Premier Partner Toyota – it’s an incredible prize and we sincerely appreciate Toyota’s support in thanking and rewarding our volunteers.
“We are fortunate to have more than 200,000 volunteers around the country who give up their time each week for the love of footy. From coordinating NAB AFL Auskick to umpiring, running the canteen and coaching, they create a sense of belonging in the community and help clubs thrive.”
Vin Naidoo, Toyota Australia's Chief Marketing Officer, expressed his excitement about celebrating the unsung legends of the game at community level and reaffirmed Toyota’s ongoing commitment to supporting football at every level.
"Toyota is dedicated to football at all levels, from grassroots to elite, ensuring community sport is accessible and enjoyable for all," Mr Naidoo said.
"We are incredibly proud to support the volunteers who invest so much of their time into the sport and the broader community, helping to foster a positive and welcoming environment.
“All volunteers are driven by a passion for giving back, and it’s a privilege to celebrate their contributions once again with the Toyota AFL Community Volunteer Award."
The AFL has more than 200,000 passionate and dedicated volunteers around the country who give up their time each week for our game and for their community. As a testament to this incredible number, the AFL received nearly 3,500 nominations nationally in 2024 for the Toyota AFL National Volunteer of the Year Awards – up 60 per cent year on year.
The 13 categories for the 2025 Toyota AFL National Volunteer of the Year Awards are:
- Toyota AFL Community Volunteer
- Toyota Young Leader of the Year (Under 25 years of age)
- Toyota Community Club of the Year
- NAB AFL Auskick Volunteer of the Year
- NAB AFL Superkick Volunteer of the Year
- AFL Diversity Ambassador of the Year
- AFL Disability Inclusion Ambassador of the Year
- AFL National Community Umpiring Service Award
- AFL Community Coaches of the Year (Women & Men)
- AFL Schools – Teacher of the Year
- AFL Schools – School of the Year
- AFL National Community Football Media Award
- AFL National Community Football Photography Award
Prizes include:
- $200 e-gift voucher for all state and territory winners
- The 14 national winners also receive a 2025 Toyota AFL Grand Final experience
- The 2025 Toyota AFL National Community Volunteer of the Year will win a Toyota Corolla Hatch SX Hybrid valued at approx. $40,320
- The Toyota Young Leader of the Year will win a Toyota Yaris Cross GX 2WD Hybrid valued at approx. $35,775
- Full details of all prizes with a total value of $133,519 are available within the T&Cs
Nominations close at 11:59pm AEST on Monday 7 July.
Select the relevant State / Territory to access the relevant nomination form and to read the full criteria details for each category as well as the detailed Terms and Conditions. AFL Authorised GF Promotion: GFAFL25/31