Club captain Taylor Walker has been recognised for his outstanding work off the field, winning the inaugural Crows Children’s Foundation Community Leadership Award.
The award recognises a player who has made a significant contribution to the community as a volunteer over and above what is expected of them as an AFL player.
Despite carrying increased responsibility in his first season as skipper, Walker has maintained his commitment to supporting children in need. Walker is an Ambassador for the Leukaemia Foundation and Asthma Foundation and has led several successful fundraising initiatives to support both charities in his own time.
His work has helped raise over $20,000 for the Crows Children’s Foundation this year to support six-year-old leukaemia patient Lily Block as she strives for a life-saving stem cell transplant in Sydney. Walker was touched by Lily’s story after meeting her almost four years ago following her initial diagnosis. The key forward famously shaved off his trademark mullet live on television in 2013, raising over $60,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation.
The 25-year-old has fronted many other campaigns throughout the year to continue to raise the profile of the cause and generate support for the overall fundraising effort.
His countless hospital visits to children struck by illness cannot be underestimated either, with Walker’s larrikin nature and friendly charm a welcome light to many kids and their families.
The Club had no shortage of worthy candidates who also deserve acknowledgement for their generous service in the community this year.
Second-year Crow Riley Knight dedicated countless hours working with the Adelaide Fire Service’s Road and Accident Programs to help educate teenagers on the importance of road safety.
Eddie Betts was heavily involved with the Club’s Indigenous Mentoring Program, along with Charlie Cameron, Cam Ellis-Yolmen and Anthony Wilson.
Rory Sloane showed tremendous leadership in coordinating player visits to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital on a fortnightly rotation throughout the season.
First-year player Harry Dear volunteered at Suneden Special School every fortnight, Rory Atkins worked with sick children at Ronald McDonald House, Sam Kerridge was a mentor with AFL charity partner Ladder, and Scott Thompson and Ricky Henderson both help coach junior sports teams in their own right.
Kyle Hartigan also deserves special recognition after he stepped up as the players’ representative on Adelaide Crows Children’s Foundation Board for the first time this year.
