Harden Murrumburrah club stalwarts Jason and Jodie Pollard were awarded the 'Community Involvement in Sport' award at the local Hilltops (Harden) Australia Day awards last month for their service and dedication to rugby league.
The pair have been active committee members at the club for the past 20 years, with Jason the club president and a life member while wife Jodie organises fundraising and social events.
Jason said he and Jodie were proud to win the award but the whole club were a big part of it.
“It’s nice to win an award like that, obviously you don’t do these things to win an award but it’s nice to be recognised," Jason said.
"It’s certainly not only us, it’s the whole club and committee that help. We’re lucky to have such a good committee that have helped over a period of time, it makes things easy.”
Jason also paid tribute to the hard work his wife does alongside the rest of the committee.
“My wife Jodie has been a big part of the club as well, whether that be all the fundraising things around the club, Debutante Balls, stuff like that she’s always there organising it with the rest of the committee and she does a great job," Jason said.
Jason has been heavily involved in Group 9 and George Tooke Shield for many years, from playing junior and senior footy, captaining sides and coaching teams to premierships.
He says that having the right people and supportive crowds helps motivate him to keep going.
"I was at Binalong to start with originally, and then moved to Harden. I’ve been tied up with both clubs over a long period of time," Jason said.
"Definitely just a lot of good people to work with helps. Footy is a good thing for the town and community, for the younger people coming through it gives them something to do over a weekend, something to aim for.
“We’ve always had such good support here from the community and sponsors and it just makes things easy. We always get one of the largest followings going around, we always get big crowds at our games.
"Just so well supported, has been for a long time whether it was going back to Group 9 days or to what it is now. To have that support motivates overall."
Jason is expecting a strong season from the Harden club this year, with teams in four grades - George Tooke Shield Men's and Ladies League Tag, Under 19s and Open Women's Tackle.
A new coach, Nick Hall, is coaching the Men's George Tooke side this year, while many of the Hawkettes players have stayed for season 2022.
"We were disappointed with the way it finished last year obviously so most of the girls have stuck by it and decided to come back and play which is good.”
