NT Cricket and our proud partners at AANT are delighted to announce that the winner of June’s ‘AANT Volunteer of the Month’ Award is Ella Piccoli-Auckram of Nightcliff Cricket Club in Darwin.
At only 21 years of age, Ella has already undertaken a number of roles within the club, including captaining Nightcliff CC’s Women’s team and joining the NCC Committee. Returning to cricket last year, many years after playing junior cricket, Ella has quietly gone to work mentoring, supporting and growing Nightcliff CC’s players, and the cricket club, across all levels and abilities.
Nominating Ella for this month’s Award was NCC’s Women’s Co-ordinator, Janet Hawker, who was glowing in her praise for Ella and the example that she sets for other young volunteers around the club and local community:
“My family and I are lucky enough to all be involved with Ella, and the whole army of volunteers, supporters and families that make up NCC.
"Just one example of the commitment and ongoing support that Ella provides was her time last weekend. Friday night was spent captaining, playing and mentoring a women’s match. When this match concluded, Ella and other members of NCC set up equipment for the early risers of the Under 9s, who she supports each week.
"Later in the day, Ella was helping in the canteen and completing numerous extra tasks, then she was thrown a (wet, stinky) playing shirt to help out and field in a senior men’s game. Many go well beyond what they should, and Ella is one of these, showing our future players how to contribute, participate and play, and for that I say thank you!
“Her voluntary work also extends to the local community where Ella has been involved in school holiday programs at local schools” Hawker added. “Her love of the game and willingness to learn and lead at such a young age have certainly shone through in the last few months, and although many long hours are put in each week by Ella after work and study, she continues to laugh, inspire and provide countless opportunities for so many in our community to come together and enjoy this beautiful game”.
Ella was shocked to find out she had been named as June’s AANT Volunteer of the Month, having only just returned home from a trip to Europe!
Ella will receive a 12-month Premium AANT Membership along with a $250 United fuel voucher.
Nominations are now open for July’s AANT Volunteer of the Month. If you would like to nominate a valued volunteer at your club, this month’s nomination form can be found by clicking here.