John Davies, pictured with minutes from the WAAFL’s first committee meeting in 1922, has been nominated for a service to sport award.
Camera IconJohn Davies, pictured with minutes from the WAAFL’s first committee meeting in 1922, has been nominated for a service to sport award. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Amateur football champion John Davies nominated for WA Sports Star Award

Bryce LuffMelville Gazette

JOHN Davies is not one to revel in his own success.

His amateur football career with North Beach, as he describes it, was a collection of “220 inglorious games”.

The humble Trigg resident went on to serve as captain, coach, committee member, secretary, treasurer and president of the club he co-founded.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

He later joined the WA Amateur Football League’s board, a role he held for 27 years, before two decades as president of the competition.

Under his reign, the WAAFL improved its position financially, brought in a Hall of Fame and introduced integrated football for athletes with a disability

Mr Davies said it was advice from late Labor politician Colin Jamieson, to ‘surround yourself with people better than you are’, that set him on the right path.

“It’s a privilege to work with people stronger than yourself in their own field,” he said.

“That’s the key to any successful organisation; the president is not the be all and end all.”

Despite his hesitancy to claim credit for the WAAFL’s growth and success, it is hard to go unnoticed during such a long career.

That is the case for Mr Davies who has been nominated for a service to sport gong at the WA Sports Star Awards.

“I can’t believe it,” he said of his nomination.

“I’ve worked with some great people who have helped me so much and that’s the underlying factor.

“I’ve been very fortunate to have the people I’ve had who were much stronger than myself in different areas.”

WAAFL general manager David Armstrong said the football community was proud of the long-time servant’s nomination.

“You don’t stay involved in something if you do not enjoy the people and the outcomes you are trying to achieve,” he said.

“John’s involvement in community football can only be described as committed, humble and hardworking.”

Award winners will be announced at Optus Stadium on February 8.

BOOK PROJECT

John Davies, now a part of the WAAFL’s heritage and history sub-committee, is currently researching the history of the league for a book to be released in 2022, the competition’s centenary year.

The WAAFL is looking for historical items relating to the league suitable for inclusion in the book.

Contact Natalie Couch (WAAFL volunteer and administration manager): 9287 5592, ncouch@wafc.com.au.