NSWRL Volunteer of the Year to Riverwood Legion JRLFC’s Theresa Tasaico

They say if you want a job done ask a busy person - and if you are in rugby league that’s an extraordinary woman who got a call out of the blue from NSW coach Brad Fittler this week.

Gordon Lowrie Volunteer of the Year Award winner – Theresa Tasaico.

Sport is built on the back of dedicated volunteers but you would be hard pressed to find a busier one than Sydney’s Theresa Tasaico.

This rugby league enthusiast has helped orchestrate the revival of a famous old footy club - Riverwood Legion JRLFC - in just four years with help from her family and a loyal band of fellow volunteers.

“We had no teams at the start and they hadn’t had juniors for 11 years.’’ Tasaico told NewsLocal sport.

“Then we got three teams of local kids, the minis, under sixes and sevens, and a 17s team we pulled together with my older son.

Gordon Lowrie Volunteer of the Year Award Theresa Tasaico with fellow volunteers.

“Now we have nine teams. We’ve gone from three to nine in four years. It’s great, it’s just hard work. Getting your numbers up and starting from scratch is pretty tough.

“But the Riverwood kids are great. It’s good for them to have something to do and they enjoy it. I love seeing them happy and love seeing them playing.’’

This week Origin coach Brad Fittler rang Tasaico out of the blue to reveal she had won the Gordon Lowrie NSWRL Volunteer of the Year.

Theresa Tasaico is a big contributor to the rugby league community.

“I know first hand how hard it is to keep clubs up and running. For you to have the strength and the tenacity to keep going, and drive this new team, is admirable,’’ Fittler told her.

“We’re in such gratitude to you, and the people that have helped you because I can only imagine how hard it would have been and how much time it took.

“You’ve done a wonderful job and thank you very much.”

Tasaico, who became involved because of her sons Reilly and Joshua, is the Riverwood Legion JRLFC Club Secretary and Vice-President for St George Junior Rugby League Football District.

Theresa Tasaico and family.

She has also been also been the team manager for St George Junior League Development Squads, the Tonga NSW Harmony Cup squad, NSWRL Girls Under 16s Harmony Cup sides, St George Girls Under 15s Monarch Blues Tag League, St George Lisa Fiaola Girls Under 16s, and the premiership winning St George Dragons Tarsha Gale Cup Side.

She has also started up a range of women’s and girl’s Monarch Blues tag teams and men’s A Grade and over 35s Blues tag teams.

“From rebuilding Riverwood Legion Junior Rugby League Football Club and dividing your time between many important and different roles, your determination to show that rugby league can unite a community has been really inspiring,” said NSW player Corban McGregor.

Tasaico, who gets involved with everything from mailbox drops, social media to recruiting, said she’s only able to do what she does due to the support of her family and fellow volunteers.

Her son Riley has moved on from Riverwood and now plays for the botany rams.

The teenager has been part of the Harold Matts competition for St George for the past two seasons and he’s hoping to play SG ball next year.

Read more from AMANDA LULHAM HERE

Originally published as NSWRL Volunteer of the Year to Riverwood Legion JRLFC’s Theresa Tasaico