As nominations open for the 2025 Toyota AFL National Volunteer of the Year Awards, take a look back at New South Wales’ very own Theresa Taylor (Shortt) who won the AFL National Community Umpiring Service Award last year.
Hailing from Sydney’s Hills District, Taylor is a life member of the Pennant Hills Demons, having volunteered at the club for nearly a decade.
However, it’s her service and commitment to the umpiring community in Sydney’s community football scene that earned her the national honour.
Taylor introduced the revolutionary Umpire Welfare Officer concept – designed to support umpires’ during the quarter and half time breaks at-match – as well as her service to the AFL’s Umpire Matchday Experience program, where she relies on her mental health first aid training to help umpires through the aftermath of a poor match experience, usually triggered by threats or abuse
As part of this role, Taylor is assigned umpires who need support and will track their progress throughout the season, ensuring they feel comfortable and confident to umpire.
“The first I knew about it was when I got an email saying I was nominated,” said Taylor on learning of her 2024 nomination.
“I was very pleasantly surprised. You just keep doing your thing, helping in the background and you don’t really think anyone really notices, because everyone else is busy doing their thing too.
“Then I put it out of my head, because not for one minute did I believe that I would be awarded.”
For her 2024 AFL National Community Umpiring Service Award, Taylor won flights and accommodation to the 2024 Toyota AFL Grand Final.
A pre-planned overseas trip meant Taylor didn’t get to experience her prize (enjoying a special umpire experience at Opening Round of the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season instead), but that didn’t dampen the honour of the award for Taylor.
“At the time I didn’t have the heart to tell people that I couldn’t take my prize as I already had an overseas holiday booked. It was all such a head rush,” she said.
“Everyone says they don’t volunteer for the thanks and that is true, however, it does make you feel the work you do is validated. It made me feel heard and made me feel that the program [Umpire Welfare Officer] I was implementing was one that others thought was needed.
“I believe the umpire groups I help are the best people on the planet and they have a knack of making you want to help, so when someone wants you to be recognised for helping, it’s the very best feeling.”
Winning last year’s award certainly hasn’t slowed Taylor down. Her dedicated service to the umpiring community has meant a lot of extra weekend travel for last year’s award winner, as well as taking on the load of supporting affected umpires.
She regularly puts in 10 hours on Sundays to ensure umpires across Sydney are cared for, whether in the Umpire Welfare Officer position or through the Umpire Matchday Experience program, and she has set her sights on a goal that will allow the Umpire Welfare Officer concept to benefit more umpires in the community.
“I know it has sparked me on even further,” said Taylor of her award.
“I know I feel ‘right you’ve been recognized, now crack on and get some really good stuff done’.
“My Umpire Welfare Officer vests are now throughout the Sydney Juniors competition, [and] the goal is to have them at junior clubs Nationwide.”
So will Taylor be making a nomination of her own this year to honour one of her fellow volunteers?
“There is someone I will be nominating this year – more than one,” she said.
“Volunteers are what run a club and keep it going, whether it be for players or umpires.
“I know so many volunteers that put their heart and soul into their clubs so the children and grown-ups can continue to enjoy all aspects of our great sport.”
About the 2025 Toyota AFL National Volunteer of the Year Awards
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.
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.
CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE A DESERVING VOLUNTEER FROM YOUR CLUB!
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