Michael Gaertner awarded life membership to Northern NSW football, Alstonville Football Club

An administrator, player and coach who has dedicated over 30 years to football on the Far North Coast of NSW has been honoured with life membership to the governing body. See his journey.

Alstonville Football Club legend Michael Gaertner has etched his name into Northern NSW football history.

The former player, coach and Football Far North Coast administrator has been awarded life membership to the Football Northern NSW governing body after 30 years of service to the game.

Loyalty is becoming increasingly rare in soccer, but Gaertner has displayed his immense skill and financial acumen to help the region reach it’s footballing potential.

He said he was humbled and honoured by the surprise decision to award him life membership.

Michael Gaertner has been admitted as a life member by Northern New South Wales Football. Pictured alongside his wife Donna. Picture: Football NNSW.

“I’ve met so many people through playing the sport,” he said.

“I met my wife through a zone meeting in 2006 and we’ve been together ever since. To meet someone like Donna who has the same love of football as I do was a blessing.

“It has been a real journey over the years. I love the game and I’m so lucky to have been involved with it for so long.”

His journey began with a move from Sydney to the Far North Coast where he bunkered down with Alstonville Football Club in the early 1990s.

He had his hands full playing in the Premiership team in 1998 while also coaching multiple junior teams.

As a qualified accountant, Gaertner’s skills brought renewed optimism in the club, going on to become one of the biggest in the Football Far North Coast region.

Michael Gaertner (far right) was Northern NSW Football Deputy Chairman in 2013. Photo Contributed.

His contribution to Alstonville FC included roles as vice-president in 1998 and 1999 and an interim role as club president in 2005.

In 2005, he was offered life membership to the club and was encouraged to nominate for the Soccer Far North Coast committee in 2000 where he was appointed to the role of finance director.

He excelled and left his mark on the organisation with the appointment of the inaugural full-time general manager at Football Far North Coast.

The appointment saw the game progress to new levels with Gaertner being elected Football Far North Coast president in 2001 before an invitation was extended to him in 2008 to accept a position on the Northern NSW Football board.

He was elected as deputy chair, a position he held until he eventually stood down after serving with distinction and integrity.

Northern NSW Football Chair Helene O’Neill congratulated Gaertner on his life membership.

“This is certainly very well deserved and it was great to see Michael recognised like this,” O’Neill said.

“Michael has dedicated a large part of his life to football in northern NSW and we thank him sincerely for his contribution.”