Evelyn Brooker made ARL Life Member

Evelyn Brooker made ARL Life Member

Life membership is the most prestigious award that can be awarded by the Auckland Rugby League.

It is restricted to a maximum of 20 living members at any one time. It can be awarded to any individual for any role or combined roles they have contributed to whether as ARL volunteer, team official, employee or board or committee member.

For eligibility, a person must have given a minimum service to the game for 20 years.

Evelyn Brooker was made an Auckland Rugby League life member at the Annual General Meeting held on Saturday 12 March, 2016.

"I am feeling very honoured to have received Life Membership of the Auckland Rugby League today at the ARL AGM," says director Evelyn Brooker.

"Thank you to all the club committees, coaches, managers, trainers, players, ARL staff, volunteers and parents that I have met over the years for your support."

Brooker’s list of rugby league accomplishments in more than 30 years includes:

• School grade team manager for Glenora and schoolboys committee
• Continued involvement in rugby league outside of Auckland including

- Wanganui Rams rugby league committee
- Chairperson of the Titahi Bay rugby league club in Wellington 1992-1993
- Wellington rugby league schoolboy board and boards draw steward 1994

• Waitemata club chairperson 1995 - 1996
• Glenora committee 1997
• Co-opt member of junior management committee and member 2000
• Elected junior management committee chairperson 2004
• Worked on various sub-committees
• Organising and chief fundraiser for four junior tours to Australia in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012
• ARL director 2004
• Re-elected ARL director as result of constitution restructure 2011
• ARL football committee chairperson 2011
• Re-elected by clubs to board of directors for a further 2 years 2015

Former ARL and NZRL chairman Selwyn Pearson said he was absolutely delighted with the recognition by way of ARL life membership for Brooker, whom he described as one of the hardest workers he had encountered in the game.

"Her motivation is driven by the enthusiasm of the volunteers (who do such a wonderful job of looking after our kids) and the wellbeing of our clubs," he says.

"It doesn't get any better than that."

In addition to Brooker's life membership, ARL took the opportunity to present Distinguished Service Awards to Hibiscus Coast chairperson Karen Gibbons, Northcote Tigers chairperson Bobbie Rudolph and Ellerslie chairman James Waetford who continue to work tirelessly to promote the game.

Mike Smith of Bay Roskill who passed away in February was remembered for his unbroken club service and was awarded the Edith Woods Honours. The prestigious award acknowledged Mike's devotion to the game. Mike had undertaken almost every role within the club, he readily assisted at ARL events and loved to be involved. He was awarded life membership of Bay Roskill and has received the ARL Distinguished Service Award. The award was received in his honour by his daughter Eleanor Smith.

Jennie Rhymaun and Julia Rudolph-Karena were awarded the Simon's Scroll for their outstanding administrative excellence.

Ellerslie rugby league club was also presented with the Best and Fairest Club Centenary Cup by the ARL Referees Association.

The full list of Award winners is:

Life Membership - Evelyn Brooker

Edith Woods Honours - Mike Smith

Simon's Scroll - Jennie Rhymaun, Julia Rudolph-Karena

Distinguished Service - Karen Gibbons

Distinguished Service - Bobbie Rudolph

Distinguished Service - James Waetford

Best and fairest club ARL Referees Centenary Cup - Ellerslie rugby league club

ENDS

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