COOLUM’S local AFL club, the Coolum Beach Breakers Junior AFL have served up a double barrel, taking out two top gongs at the AFL’s annual awards.
Selected from almost 200 AFL Clubs across the whole of Queensland, the Coolum Beach Breakers were recognised as the top AFL Club in the State.
But the good news doesn’t stop there, with the Club’s media manager, Amy Sheehan, being awarded the Toyota AFL National Volunteer of the Year Award in the media category.
Amy, who is also a team manager, has been looking after the Club’s media and communications and beat finalists from all other states and territories to take out the prestigious award. Amy will now get to travel to the Grand Final in Melbourne for a three-day grand final experience.
“I was honoured to have been nominated and absolutely shocked to have won this award. I am very proud to have been associated with our wonderful Club for the last seven years,” Amy said.
“The committee, our members and the wonderful cohort of players; make my job easy as we always have something to photograph, write about and celebrate. I’ve been involved in AFL Clubs all around Australia and there is just something special about the Coolum Beach Breakers.”
In recent years the club has experienced significant growth, fielding an increasing number of teams and continuing to maintain its family-friendly atmosphere and game day experience. During the last round of Youth fixtures in August, the club hosted its biggest-ever Family and Sponsors Day, attracting record crowds to their home ground at Coolum High School.
Club President Tyson Smalley said the award recognition was a great coup for the club.
“Winning AFL Queensland Club of the Year is a tremendous recognition of not just our players on the field, but also our impressive army of parents and community members who make our club such a great place for young people to build their love for the game and develop life-long health and social mindsets.
“Importantly the award is proof we have laid the right foundations and will continue to grow in a positive direction.
“We welcome families across the Sunshine Coast to join our growing club in 2025.”
Ninderry MP Dan Purdie has congratulated the Club after being announced as the Qld Best AFL Club for 2024.
“This is just awesome news for the Coolum Beach Breakers, and caps off a fantastic year for the Club,” Mr Purdie said.
Earlier this year, the Club secured $500,000 in funding for long overdue changerooms, as part of ongoing plans for a major makeover and redevelopment of its current home, at Coolum State High School.
I’ve enjoyed working closely with the Club over the past few years on the new masterplan for the site, and we’ve been making some great progress,” Mr Purdie said.
“Given the hard work, commitment and dedication of the Club and all its volunteers, there’s a bright future ahead for our junior breakers.”
Next year, the club will celebrate its 20th-year milestone, highlighting the incredible achievement of winning the AFL Queensland 2024 Club of the Year award in its limited history.
The club features Junior and Youth teams ranging from AusKick up to under 17 age groups for Girls and Boys. Coolum Beach Breakers have also actively supported initiatives to ensure sustainable growth for AFL on the Sunshine Coast including junior umpiring pathways and supporting local school carnivals.
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