John Tate, Tammy Spence among the NT’s most treasured sports volunteers
Sport is massive in the Northern Territory, but it wouldn’t be possible without the hundreds of volunteers that keep it together. We’ve celebrated some of those unsung heroes here.
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Volunteers are so often the unsung heroes of sporting clubs, running everything behind the scene to ensure our athletes can perform their best on and off the field.
There are many Territory volunteers who turn up each and every week for their club or league to ensure our sports are run in the best way possible.
The NT News put out a call out for National Volunteers Week so we could highlight some of those stars behind the scenes.
Here are just some of the volunteers who keep Territory sport alive and allow it to thrive.
This is not an exhaustive list, keep sending in your suggestions on who you think deserves some recognition for their hard work and dedication.
Meet the volunteers
DESIREE WEETRA (TV Jets Basketball Club)
Described as a ‘top quality volunteer’, Weetra is a Jet through-and-through.
Weetra is the club’s secretary and has looked after training schedules for more than 20 teams, as well as spearheading all fundraising and meetings for the past five years.
Not one to talk herself up, a club member said that the Jets “would fall apart without her.”
A mum of four and working full-time she will always raise her hand to coach a side without a coach.
AARON TILLEY (Northern Sharks)
Tilley has been a committed and loyal volunteer at the Northern Sharks rugby club for a number of years.
The hardworking dad has been described as someone who puts in efforts day in and out for the players, with his commitment playing a large role in the club’s recent A-Grade success.
Tilley has ‘has devoted countless hours towards the betterment of the club’, alongside his partner Kezia.
Even without a home ground and limited numbers, he has helped his club pull together great numbers, win premierships and keep the committee happy.
CHRIS GALATI (Darwin Triathlon Club)
A volunteer at the club for more than half-a-decade, Galati is the “perfect all-rounder”.
A weekly junior coach, committee member and race-day organiser, he’s always seen with a big smile across his face, full of positivity and ever eager to lend a hand.
TAMARA ‘TAMMY’ SPENCE (Jabiru Bombers Football Club)
Tammy has been a dedicated member of the Jabiru Bombers for many years, and only recently stepped down as club president after 10 years in the role.
In that time she has spent hours upon hours representing, advocating and organising the club and is there every Saturday to celebrate, encourage and support her members.
She often takes on the team manager role, has stepped in as the sports trainer or strapper and is someone club members say will be sorely missed in the role.
Tammy was also the driving force and fierce advocate behind the Jabiru Bombers women’s team, playing a pivotal role in its formation.
JOHN TATE (Nightcliff Cricket Club)
Tate has dedicated his time to the Nightcliff Cricket Club for at least the past 25 years, first as an opening bat, then coach and as plenty of committee roles, including club president.
He takes responsibility for the facilities and equipment at the club, and for the past 10 years has also been the curator at Nightcliff Oval as well.
Beyond the club he also works with the NTCMOA, developing umpires across the NT, and contributed heavily to the Sixth Wicket Project.
He was recognised nationally by Cricket Australia as one of their 28 award winners at the 2024 National Community Cricket Awards, getting runner up in the Volunteer of the Year category.
CAROL and MICHAEL RALPH (Satellite City BMX Club)
A husband and wife duo who’ve been dedicating their time to their beloved club for five years, the Ralphs do whatever they can, whenever they can.
The pair manage all the beginner riders, race registration, alongside their children who also volunteer their time when they’re not on the track, training the youngies and working behind the canteen.
KYM HANNA (Northern Sharks, Palmerston Crocs and Palmerston Boxing Club)
A volunteer that works behind the scenes for her three cherished clubs, Hanna has ben touted as an ‘instrumental figure’ who dedicates her time, regularly going ‘above and beyond’ with her efforts.
She has built up an extensive network of contacts and finds ways to collaborate across all of them, particularly where one idea for one club can make a positive contribution across all the clubs.
AARON SCOTT and JENNA SMITH (Satellite City BMX Club)
Both described as ‘special people’, Scott and Smith have been diligently working behind the scenes for several years, frequently going the extra mile for the club.
RACHELLE TINNING (Pints Netball Club)
Pints president Tinning has been a part of the club for an incredible 22 years.
She has ‘given her heart and soul’ to the ‘community’ since her Netta days and under her leadership the club the club has found plenty of success.
That includes groundbreaking programs, a relentless push for development and the joy of winning two premierships.
She currently oversees more than 30 teams including seniors, juniors and an all abilities side.
CAROL STANISLAUS (St Mary’s Football Club)
Stanislaus was this year named the first Tiwi female president of the St Mary’s Football Club, the club she has spent her life around.
She is no stranger to the workings of the club taking on numerous roles including timekeeper and committee member to ensure the Saints stay at the forefront of the NTFL.
She is also a wellbeing officer at the club and has worked extensively to help the growth of the women’s player base.
BIANCA SCRYMGOUR (Darwin Brothers Rugby League Club)
Few Territorians have done more to drive junior female inclusion in their sport than Bianca Scrymgour, who spends most of her time volunteering at the NRL NT.
The long-time Darwin Brothers and NT representative captain is a constant sight at TRL Stadium once league season comes around and also mentors and coaches at junior levels.
She got into coaching to bring the kind of mentorship she would have wanted as a young woman in sport, and as a result women involvement at her club and the sport as a whole continues to rise.
She was recently named the Volunteer of the Year at the NT Sport Awards for her undying devotion to the sport, but said it wouldn’t be possible without those supporting her, particularly her family.
JACKIE EDWARDS (Nightcliff Dragons Rugby League)
Jackie Edwards is known as the matriarch of the Nightcliff Dragons, and it’s by no fluke, as she’s devoted more than 50 years of her life to the club and sport.
Ms Edwards came to Darwin in 1969 where she married rugby league player and fellow club legend Stem Edwards, and from that moment onwards her life became entrenched in the sport.
Fondly known as Aunty Jackie, she has headed the club’s sponsorship and marketing, washes all the players’ jumpers and cooks dinners for the teams.
She was named the winner of the Champions of Sport category at the recent Woman of the Year awards.
SHARON FREEMAN (Darwin Netball)
Freeman’s contributions to Darwin netball for more than three decades has set the standard for junior coaching in the Northern Territory.
She manages and develops junior talent in the Territory as the junior and coaching co-ordinator at the Darwin Netball Association.
This goes alongside her regular coaching duties where she champions junior stars in particular setting them up with the best opportunity for representative duties.
SELINA PETRILLI (Nightcliff Dragons)
A dedicated and loyal member of the Nightcliff Dragons family, Petrilli is the clubs current registrar, sports trainer and apparel ‘guru’.
She’s been regarded as the “go-to person” and “life-blood” in the club, in and around the Nightcliff club for 20 years, spending time on the committee and running the juniors in her early days.
She has worn out her runners many times running onto the field to assist injured players and makes many phone calls to ensure that player’s welfare is ok.
LIZ CRUSE (St Mary’s Football Club)
Since moving to the Territory 16 years ago she has been an ever present voice and advocate for the growth of women’s sport, no matter the code.
In that time she has been particularly involved in the NTFL whether as a player, coach, volunteer administrator or AFLNT media team staffer.
Beyond footy she’s involved in netball and rugby league as well, constantly pushing her clubs as best as she can.
ANNE-MARIE FULLARTON and IAN FULLARTON (Darwin Runners and Walkers)
Anne-Marie Fullarton is the registrar of the Darwin Runners and Walkers Club, an organisation she has been involved in for the past 20 years.
She along with her husband Ian Fullarton, the club’s president, always volunteer their time to set up events such as the Mother’s Day Classic, Run for Dad, City2Surf and the half marathon.
This comes in addition to their normal Darwin Runners and Walkers Club duties organising runs across Darwin and Palmerston every Wednesday night.
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Originally published as John Tate, Tammy Spence among the NT’s most treasured sports volunteers
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