Karyn and Bill Borg honoured for service to St Clair Junior Rugby League club

Two local heroes are among those being recognised in this year’s Australia Day honours list for their dedicated volunteer work at a junior rugby league club.

Bill and Karyn Borg have been recognised with Australia Day honours.

Two local heroes are among those being recognised in this year’s Australia Day honours list for their dedicated volunteer work at a junior rugby league club.

Karyn and Bill Borg from Erskine Park are being honoured with The Medal of the Order of Australia, which recognises outstanding service in the community.

The husband-and-wife duo have demonstrated an almost lifelong commitment to St Clair Junior Rugby League Club, with Mrs Borg joining in 1986 as a team manager for her son’s team.

Mr Borg followed her lead, signing on as club secretary in 1989 – a position he held for 32 years.

It’s not just the length of time they have served at the club earning them the honour, but what they achieved over the years including volunteering 40 hours per week to help the club go from strength to strength.

Bill and Karyn Borg pictured at St Clair Junior Rugby League Club

After three years as team manager, Mrs Borg joined the club’s committee and became treasurer before becoming a vice president of Penrith Junior League in 1990 which saw her responsible for managing draws, grading and qualifications.

Proving herself as a woman to wear many hats, over the next decade Mrs Borg also volunteered as zone controller, district registrar, A-grade manager, assistant secretary and the club’s magazine editor.

After filling out her impressive volunteering resume, Mr Borg says his wife was by his side helping him as secretary.

“We are just two people in a pool of thousands who volunteer their services every week to be able to provide the kids the structure to allow them to play the game of Rugby League,” he said.

“I have been very fortunate to have had so many hard-working people around me over all these years.”

During their respective volunteering careers the pair have seen many rising stars go through the ranks including Ned Catic, Wade McKinnon, Steve Turner, and more recently Dallin Watene Zelezniak and Stephen Crichton.

Another notable highlight for Mr Borg was the naming of the Bill Borg Mini Field at Peppertree Reserve in 2010.