Brett Napier first pulled on the footy boots in 1994.
Then a fourths player, he’s remained with the club every year since.
And for the club he loves, Napier has also taken on various committee and leadership roles in adulthood.
For that reason, his recent Blighty Football Club life membership honour came as a surprise to no-one.
Napier was presented with the award at the club’s presentation day on Saturday, September 18.
His was one of a series of special awards presented as part of the day.
Others were as follows:
Annette Bain Junior Club Person - Stevie Bateman.
Netball Club Person - Bridie Blake.
Football Club Keith Partington Junior Club Person - Jack Culton.
Football Club Person - Jess Johnson.
Netball Club Highest Aggregate - Chelsea Weir.
Football Club Champion Player - Cobi Johnson.
Football Club Family - The Strong Family.
A full day of celebrations, the best performers in football and netball were also honoured on the day before a shared barbecue lunch.
Football awards:
Seniors: Best and Fairest - Aaron Litchfield, R/U - Nick Hay; Most Disciplined - Billy Michel; Most Improved - Luke Charlton; Coach’s Award - Kev Kerr; Player’s Player - Bailey Bourke and Zach Thompson; Most Determined - Charlie Waters; Leading Goalkicker - Rhys Thommers; Most Consistent - Luke Hay.
Reserves: Best and Fairest - Andrew Simpson, R/U - Jarrod Andrews; Most Disciplined - Bryson Godfey; Most Improved - Allan Gardiner; Coach’s Award - Jhi Dudley; Player’s Player - Bryson Godfrey; Most Determined - Kev Kerr; Leading Goalkicker - Kobi Baxter; Most Consistent - Jarrod Andrews; Coach’s Honourable Mentions - Matt Hay, Sam Dudley and Riky Gazarra; Captain’s Award - Jarrod Andrews.
Thirds: Best and Fairest - Will Dudley, R/U - Kobi Baxter; Most Disciplined - Harry McIlwain; Most Improved - Bryce Lea; Coach’s Award - Dean Macdonald; Player’s Player - Henry Michael; Most Determined - Max Caruso; Leading Goalkicker - Kobi Baxter; Most Consistent - Henry Michael; Best First Year Player - Will Doolan; Captain’s Award - Toby Grimwood; Encouragement Award - Bede Orr.
Fourths: Best and Fairest - Cobi Johnson, R/U - Xander Strong; Most Disciplined - William Frost; Most Improved - Bailey Hempill; Coach’s Award - Ash Hines; Player’s Player - Jeremy Doolan; Most Determined - Darcy Johnson; Leading Goalkicker - Angus Lawson; Most Consistent - Jack Culton; Best First Year Player - Lara Strong; Captain’s Award - Lara Strong; Encouragement Award - Mitch Bain.
Netball Awards:
A-grade: Best and Fairest - Bridie Blake, R/U - Nat Tremble; Most Determined - Felicity Jeffries; Coach’s Award - Charlotte Strong.
B-grade: Best and Fairest - Karla Nicholls, R/U - Kristeen Culton; Most Improved - Eimear Gogarty; Coach’s Award - Stevie Bateman.
C-grade: Best and Fairest - Stacey Doolan, R/U - Lauren Ryan; Most Determined - Krystal Winter; Most Improved - Danica Reeves.
Under-17: Best and Fairest - Maddie Weir, R/U - Erica Nicholls; Most Improved - Gemma Macdonald; Coach’s Award - Beth Laverty.
Under-15: Best and Fairest - Chelsea Weir, R/U - Lucy Dudley; Most Determined - Ruby Caruso; Most Improved - Samara Watson.
Under-13: Best and Fairest - Ruby Pisasale, R/U - Izzy Pearn; Most Determined - Eliza Weir; Most Improved - Hollie Armytage.
Club Awards:
Netball Club Senior Shooter - Christine Kingi.
Netball Club Junior Shooter - Jasmyn McKenzie.
Netball Club Ackers Rising Star - Erica Nicholls.
Under-17 Best In Finals - Erica Nicholls.
Netball Club Deb Cochrane Award - Maddie Weir.