Dr Susan Alberti AO has been named as the 2008 Football Woman of the Year (FWOTY) at the Essendon Women’s Network Great Grand Final Comedy Debate at Crown Palladium today.
Mrs Alberti – a committed member of the Western Bulldogs for over 50 years – is an acting board member of the Bulldogs who played an instrumental role in the Save the Bulldogs campaign through fundraising and strategy initiatives.
She was the founder of the Western Bulldogs’ Forever Foundation – a fundraising vehicle for the development of Whitten Oval and sports science research undertaken to improve the Western Bulldog’s football department.
Mrs Alberti also communicates the health, social and economic benefits football brings to the community through regular speaking engagements.
As the President of JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), the Western Bulldogs elected charity she recently helped launch the Club's "Captain of the Day" program which enables children associated with JDRF to run out with the team on game day.
Western Bulldogs Chief Executive Campbell Rose said the award was a testament to Susan's integrity and her amazing generosity in offering her time and resources to projects she beleives in. Her unwaverying support for the Club was quite simply 'outstanding'.
"Susan has been an integral part of our great Club's history and will continue to play a vital role in our future. Her enthusiam and love for the Club is something everyone associated with the Bulldogs cherish every day," he said.
Captain Brad Johnson echoed Campbell's sentiments. "Sue has just been enormous for our football club. Without Sue I could nearly say our club wouldn't be here today."
The Football Woman of the Year Award is an annual event recognising women who have made a significant contribution to the game of football.
This is the 11th year the prestigious award has been presented by the Essendon Women's Network and it is open to any woman involved in football regardless of club or profession.
The award recognises women who have made a significance difference to football. There are seven criteria the recipient must demonstrate including a passion for the game, ability to make a difference and an individual having a good knowledge of football.
The independent panel of judges for the Award is Andrew Demetriou (CEO of the AFL), Caroline Wilson (journalist with The Age) and Helene Bender (a Director of the Geelong FC).
The recipient will have demonstrated:
· Commitment to the support and advancement of football
· A passion for the game
· The ability to make a difference on the football scene
· A keen knowledge of the game, including its history and its future
· Club Membership
· Willingness to advocate publicly for women as partners with men in football
· A sense of humour and fair play.
Past winners of the award include; Irene Chatfield (1998), Jill Lindsay (1999), Caroline Wilson (2000), Katrina Pressley (2001), Beverly Knight (2002 – joint winner), Bev O’Connor (2002 – joint winner), Jenny Williams (2003), Edna Daniher (2004), Jennie Loughnan (2005), Barb Cullen (2006), Terry Bracks (2007).
