AFL Wimmera-Mallee chief commissioner John Smith has been honoured with an AFL merit award.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Smith was presented with the award at a gala event in Melbourne for the 2016 AFL Victoria Community Football Awards.
He said he was both humbled and honoured to be recognised for his services to football in the Wimmera and Mallee.
Smith said one of the many highlights of his time in football was his first game for Nhill as a youth.
“That first game for Nhill was right up there, as was my year playing for the Murray Bombers at Echuca,” he said.
“I gave playing footy away early to concentrate on a career but eventually came back in an administrative capacity.”
Smith said the two greatest issues facing country football today were sustainability and survival.
As the inaugural chief commissioner of AFL Wimmera-Mallee, Smith has overseen the dismantling of the Mallee league and a push towards a united umpiring body.
The regional general manager of Central Murray, Sunraysia and Wimmera-Mallee football Bruce Petering has worked closely with Smith in his role as chief commissioner.
Petering said Smith had shown strong guidance during some difficult times for football in the region.
“John’s been there during a major restructure of footy in the region, particularly with the end of the Mallee league and the umpiring changes,” Petering said.
“He’s looked after the best interests of football and made some hard decisions when they’ve had to be made.
“John’s been a fantastic mentor to me. His experiences in business, in the community and personally have been crucial in offering guidance to me in my role.
“He’s a level-headed thinker and makes decisions in the correct manner.”
Smith said it was crucial the game continued to be developed in country regions, from junior level through to senior and representative football.