The award was in appreciation of the NFL’s Anzac Round, where every senior game in Round 2 had an Anzac ceremony prior to commencing. The ceremonies were held in conjunction with local RSL clubs.
RSL Region 1 chairman John Haward presented the award to the NFL, with Montmorency-Eltham RSL president Bill McKenna and RSL historian and WWII veteran Brigadier Keith Rossi in attendance.
NFL chief executive Jeremy Bourke said the league was truly honoured by the acknowledgement.
“The NFL and our member clubs will always do what we can to remember and recognise those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” he said.
“Returned veterans have and continue to make enormous contributions to our clubs and our league and the strong connection between local RSL and NFL clubs is something we treasure.”
Mr Bourke made special mention to the Montmorency and Eltham Football Clubs whose twilight Anzac Round match involved high level RSL representatives conducting a poignant ceremony in front of a massive local crowd.
The award was presented prior to Friday night’s ‘Stand To’.
Fallen soldier Corporal Scott Smith, killed in Afghanistan last week, was remembered during the observance with a minute’s silence.
Pictured (from left): Brigadier Keith Rossi, RSL Region 1 chairman John Haward, NFL chief executive Jeremy Bourke and Montmorency-Eltham RSL president Bill McKenna.
