Amanda Armstrong of Whitehorse United SC was named Female Volunteer of the Year at the FVCIB Full-Time Luncheon on Thursday, November 16 as part of the 2023 Football Victoria Community Awards.
Armstrong is one of the leading ladies of community football - whose tireless efforts have represented the true spirit of volunteerism at its finest.
For the past eight years, Amanda has been the heartbeat of her club, devoting her time, energy, and exceptional skills to elevate the football community. Despite the demands of being a single mother and working full-time, she has been a constant presence at the club.
Despite being recognised for her efforts, Armstrong still said she was "much happier" in the background and doing all the fun stuff.
"Let’s be honest, I’ll never know what offside is let alone most of the rules of the game, but I don’t need to because what I do, in the background, simply helps keep the wheels turning to ensure 400-500 players can get on the pitch each week and do what they love.
"Being a volunteer is about loving what you do, otherwise you wouldn’t do it. In a way, volunteering is somewhat selfish because there is no better feeling than than helping someone or making people happy and that’s what I love doing."
Armstrong's invaluable contributions extend across multiple spheres, from securing significant sponsorships and managing club events to overseeing merchandise distribution, social media, and website management, while also serving as a team manager for the Under 12s Joeys team.
She has also led a groundbreaking collaboration with an Indigenous artist for custom artwork on a new team uniform that not only highlights the local community but also donates proceeds to Indigenous organizations, showcasing a broader commitment to social impact.