Defender Tom Doedee has been awarded the 2019 Crows Children’s Foundation Community Leadership Award for his commitment to supporting people living with a disability.
The award was established by the Foundation to acknowledge players’ exceptional contributions to the community and was awarded to Doedee at Adelaide’s Club Champion dinner on Thursday night.
At the start of 2019, Doedee was named an ambassador for Bedford, a not-for-profit organisation which strives to change the lives of people with disability.
The organisation works to provide meaningful employment, tailored training, community access programs and accommodation.
It has been a cause close to the 22-year-old’s heart ever since a serious car accident left his older brother Harley a double amputee.
He regularly visits Bedford sites and has quickly established himself as a popular visitor who has built friendships with several clients.
Bedford chief executive Maggie Dowling said Doedee had been a fantastic active ambassador.
“He’s taken a keen interest in our packaging, manufacturing, landscaping and hospitality divisions and is very generous with his time,” said Dowling.
“He talks to our supported clients about their jobs and why work is such an important part of them achieving their life goals.”
Following ACL surgery in March, the defender has combined his rehabilitation and club commitments with his ambassador role, as well as being an outstanding supporter of Crows Children’s Foundation initiatives in schools and hospitals.
Crows Children’s Foundation Manager Louise McDonald said Doedee was a stand-out nominee for the award.
“Tom has not let his injury set him back and has used the opportunity to throw himself into a range of meaningful volunteer opportunities,” McDonald said.
“He has a natural ability to make a connection with others, which we have seen through his work with Bedford and the Foundation.
“It is fantastic to see this award go to a young player and we have no doubt Tom will continue to achieve great things in the community over his career.”
Winners of the Crows Children’s Foundation Community Leadership Award
2015 - Taylor Walker
2016 - Kyle Hartigan & Charlie Cameron
2017 - Eddie Betts
2018 - Hugh Greenwood
2019 - Tom Doedee
