Blackburn Junior Football Club

🙌 TIM JACOBS AWARD 🙌

This award is named after the late Tim Jacobs, whose contribution to girls football at Blackburn, helped lay the foundations for where it is today. With daughters who played and his wife Rebekah, who ran our family nights, we know that our girls program wouldn’t be where it is, without Tim’s hard work.

Each year, we honour his legacy by choosing someone who has followed in his footsteps, in advocating for girls football at Blackburn.

This year that award goes to someone who has done that year in, year out - Ged Millard.

Ged’s commitment to girls football, particularly in her role as a trainer, has been exceptional. She is an integral part of the team, building strong, trusting relationships with the players while also contributing significantly to their strength and conditioning development.

Her care, expertise, and dedication extend well beyond game day. Ged is always present at training, always putting the players’ wellbeing and growth and fitness first. Her efforts, professionalism, and genuine passion for the role have made a lasting impact for everyone. She’s advocated for change and equality, and we know her inputs have made a positive change for the whole club.

Ged is held in the highest regard by players and families alike, and her contribution to the club is truly deserving of recognition. Congratulations Ged!

🙌 TEAM MANAGER OF THE YEAR 🙌

We are absolutely spoiled at Blackburn for amazing TMs, so this was a hard one to choose!

Brydon is one of those incredible TMs and we weren’t short on quotes to describe why he was selected for this award…

💬“Brydon is an exceptional team manager, he goes above and beyond every single week making life for myself as a coach so much easier. He is more organised then anyone I have ever come across even when he is travelling for work. Every week everything is set to go, Thursday nights all player in and outs are accounted for, once he has line up from coaches, it’s in Rookie Me, where on Sunday’s he keeps the stats and game times which come through on a Sunday night.”

💬”Not only does he support us as coaches but always has an ear to ground and supporting the parents and kids. He is always checking in with families if boys are injured, unwell or had a knock during the game. Everyone knows Thursday night what job there on and what’s happening at the club through his weekly email which is then backed up Saturday night with reminders.

💬“I’ve never been involved with a team so well managed. He’s usually the 1st person at the club room and last to leave. Clearly articulates roles & always willing to assist.”

💬”Highly organised and just loves what he does and BJFC. Always happy to lend a hand, was a great mentor to me when I had a go at being a TM.”

💬”Plus he is an exceptional human being!“

Well deserved and Happy Father’s Day Brydon!

🙌 COACH OF THE YEAR 🙌

Happy Father’s Day to Dave, who had a very different season to our other Coach of the Year, Adrian.

Already our dedicated Footy Director, Dave was also needed to take on the Coaching role again for the Boys U15 Blacks. One task in itself is big, but both is huge and while facing depleted numbers for most of the season, it was a big ask. When wins are few and far between, Dave dug deep to try new and different ways to keep the team motivated and growing ready for next year. There’s no doubting his commitment to his team and his club and we’re so grateful for everything he does both on and off the field. It takes a village and thank you for being such an important part of it Dave!

🙌 COACH OF THE YEAR 🙌

We hope he’s had a great Father’s Day to go with his incredible year of footy. Because to top off an undefeated season coaching the U18 Girls and a premiership win with his twin girls, we are pleased to announce Adrian Loverso as one of our two Coaches of the Year!

He’s a Coach who cares deeply for his team and his club. To symbolise the strong focus on team, he gave each player a physical link to “join” them together as a chain⛓️‍💥. This link has kept them connected all season with a focus on keeping them together, no matter what. The culture he has created with this team, along with his assistant Daniel, is something to be seen. They finish the year not only with growth and development on field, but friendships for life off field.
Adrian’s approach and care is an absolute asset to the players and club and he’s most deserving of this award!

🙌 CLUB FAMILY OF THE YEAR 🙌

Father’s Day seems like a fitting time to announce this award, with the Dickens family taking it out for 2026!

Team Dicko are one of the most passionate and involved families at the club. If Rhian hasn’t been a coach or an AC for one of his child’s team, then he’s been the trainer or the Runner. This year he was the Boys U16 Reds Coach and assisted the Girls U12 Reds.

Marisa is a qualified Trainer but also a regular Team Manager, this year taking on the Girls U12 Reds this and backing up for the Boys U16 Reds if needed. She’s always one of the first ones to put her hand up and this year has taken on the welfare role too.

Will is a player but was also an Assistant Coach for the Boys U13 Reds and is also out on the field as a runner helping his sister’s team.

Lily completes the picture and is always at family nights and cheering on her friends.

And let’s not forget the amount of time and effort Rhian and Marisa put into every fundraising event and dressing up at themed nights at the club!

Thanks for everything and congrats Dickens Family!

❤️🖤To all the Dads and father figures in our lives, and to those we remember also, Happy Father’s Day! Thanks for everything you do to help our kids play footy every week!

The EFNL full vote card is available here ⬇️

2026 JUNIOR VOTE COUNT

After Monday Night's Junior Presentation Night, take a look at the division's final vote tallies for the season.

View HERE: https://www.efnl.org.au/efnl-2026-junior-vote-card

🏃🏼‍♀️PRESENTATION DAY - BLACKY GIFT🏃🏽‍♂️
This year was our second Blacky Gift half-time sprint race. A team official from each team was invited to participate. Trainers were on standby (thankfully none needed). Plenty of fun, rivalry and definitely alot of healthy competition amongst that group!

🥇 Grant Lynch and Dave Beardsley tied for first place and jointly took out the coveted winners sash!

🙌CLUB PERSON OF THE YEAR - SALLY WEBB🙌

We’re so pleased to announce Sally as our BJFC Club Person of the Year! Firstly she’s our trusted Treasurer and a fun and integral member of the Executive Committee. Behind the scenes this means she manages our finances meticulously, ensuring our registers have cash, and our square terminals are setup for sales, merch days and family nights. She also prepares the monthly numbers to report up to the Senior Club and advocates strongly for anything that will make our club and community better.

But it doesn’t stop there. On field she’s a qualified Trainer for the Boys U16 Reds, caring for the players. But she’s caring on all fronts for so many more, and is always willing to help. Whether it’s at family nights in the kitchen, stocking the bar, organising membership packs, setting up the game board, exporting reports, providing care packs for our families, or offering hugs, a chat and a great big smile.

Sal will also claim the title of unofficial iPhone DJ to make sure the music gets the party started and we have a great time!

There’s nothing she won’t do for our club and we’re so lucky to have her! Congrats Sal!

💛Jeddy💛
In 2023, the U12s played a FUN-draiser game on Presentation Day for young Burner, Jed Beaton, who was battling brain cancer. It was an epic day for Jed, who kicked the winning goal after the siren for his team!

Sadly Jed lost that battle in April 2024, but we’ve continued to honour his memory each year, by playing a fun U12 match on Presentation Day. Two mixed teams of U12 girls and boys took the field and played with great spirit. A player from each team was chosen to receive a Jed medal, for playing with his traits of courage, determination and resilience.

🎖️Congratulations to Mia, Harrison and Jaxon for receiving the medal this year!
Special shoutout to Penny, Mike and Dave for umpiring the match. Thankyou to the Coaches, Team Managers and Burners community for supporting and honouring Jed’s memory ❤️🖤