Volunteer Brooke Hambleton thought she was just cooking a barbecue for her local AFL club, but now she is being celebrated as one of the unsung heroes of grassroots footy.
The Greenbank Giants volunteer has been named a national “Legend of the Tongs”, shining a spotlight on the people who keep local AFL clubs going week after week.
But Ms Hambleton says the honour belongs just as much to the parents, coaches and volunteers who have helped build the Giants’ community on and off the field.
Ms Hambleton has been part of Greenbank Giants since the club’s early days, when her son started playing.
“I just put my hand up to volunteer and I got the barbecue job,” she said.
What began as a parent helping out has become a weekly ritual at a club built on volunteer effort and community spirit.
“Sunday’s the most favourite time of my week,” Ms Hambleton said.
“I love doing the barbecue.”
The Legend of the Tongs win came as a shock.
Ms Hambleton said fellow volunteer and under-13s team manager Erika Ruig nominated her before Ms Hambleton nominated Ms Ruig in return.
“We didn’t think we would win,” she said.
“There’s so many AFL clubs and more established clubs. We did not think we would even get a look in.”
Ms Hambleton said Ms Ruig deserved just as much credit.
“Erika, she’s the one that really started all this,” she said.
“She’s the real bloody Legend of the Tongs here.”
Ms Hambleton also praised the volunteers, coaches and parents who give their time to support the club and its players, including Leanne and Jordan Wolfe, Alisha and Chris Luxford, Dana Bell and Dan Carman.
“They put their lives on hold to train our kids and help our kids,” Ms Hambleton said.
“They’re just great people and they are passionate and they’re driven.”
The club was thrilled by the announcement, and Ms Hambleton said she was grateful for the recognition but more excited about what it could do for Greenbank Giants.
“The club are ecstatic,” she said.
“It’s all for the club.
“I just seriously flip sausages and I’m happy to do it.
“I’m doing all this for the club. That’s what I care about.”
She said the award would help the young club build its profile in the community as it continued building a strong family and volunteer culture around its young players.
“We are such a new club, I think it’s going to help recognise us as a club,” Ms Hambleton said.
Ms Hambleton said Greenbank Giants had grown quickly since opening, with junior teams, a girls team and Auskick and Superkick programs for young children.
“We’ve been a club for three years, going on four,” she said.
“We’re growing.
“Our little ones are going to be the future.”
As part of the award, Greenbank Giants AFC will receive a barbecue pack worth more than $585, while Ms Hambleton is also in the running for the overall “Legend of the Golden Tongs” title and a $25,000 club prize.
Ms Hambleton said Greenbank Giants was also set to run a barbecue at Bunnings Loganholme on July 11.
She encouraged young players and families to visit the club and give AFL a try.
“I would say to anyone younger, just come down, give it a go,” she said.
“You can get free training sessions and just give it a go.
“You may really enjoy it and it could be the start of something that you don’t even know that you’ve got going in you.
“The AFL community is amazing.”
Subscribe to stay up-to-date with news from across Logan. You’ll receive a link to our digital newspaper direct to your inbox each week. It’s free.
