Steph Jones has six children, a granddaughter and works full time, but that has not stopped her from spending 20 hours a week volunteering for North Gambier Football Club.
Jones, 38, has spent almost two decades as a volunteer at various sporting clubs - but the past 12 years have all been with North Gambier.
Her outstanding service spans across a vast array of roles, including Club and League secretary, junior coordinator, canteen coordinator, team manager and social media coordinator.
Jones, who was awarded the SANFL’s 2021 Volunteer of the Year, will be further recognised for her dedication to community football when she performs the coin toss before the match between Adelaide and Carlton on Saturday night.
It forms part of Toyota’s Good For Footy Round and celebration of local clubs’ unsung heroes.
Speaking to AFC Media, Jones said it was common practice growing up in the country to help out at the local football and netball clubs.
But Jones puts her longevity down to wanting to stay involved in her children’s sports with Mitchell, 20, Tyler, 17, Cooper, 15 and Kane, 11, all playing football.
She expects her two younger children Sebastian, 3, and Abigail, one, to also be involved when they're old enough.
“I’ve got three brothers who played football and growing up in the country, it's all about community footy and netball clubs,” Jones said.
“I’ve been with North Gambier since my boys started playing footy but I started volunteering properly when I became a mum, and probably got more involved in the past five or six years on committees and things like that.
“You kind of jump into the thick of it when you’re on committees, you just do what you can.
“It’s as much about being passionate and involved as being there for the kids.
“I’m not a parent to just sit in my car and observe, footy clubs aren’t babysitting services so I want to participate and help.”
Jones said she was looking forward to tossing the coin and was grateful for the opportunity.
“I got to toss the coin at last year’s SANFL Grand Final, which was really nerve-wrecking,” Jones said.
“So I am incredibly nervous and this is amplified being AFL and on the TV.
“But when you’re at the footy you just immerse yourself in it.”
North Gambier President David Bruhn said the Club was grateful for everything Jones did and that local football would not survive without the work of its volunteers.
The Crows take on Carlton at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night, with the first bounce at 7pm.