Wednesday, April 13, 2011

The Other Hancock (Neither Mick or Herbie)

But Rachel Brennan, NSW.

Here's the write up, lifted straight off AFDA

I first met Rachel Grindlay at a NSWFDA meeting (2002) where she declared that she was interested in watching and giving opinions for NSW Ultimate but was definitely not interested in anymore committee roles after her experiences as the NZ Treasurer and President for the previous 2 years (performing both roles simultaneously). From that point on Rachel has managed to bring her immense organizational flair to a large number of Administrative positions within both the State and National bodies. Within the year she accepted the role of Secretary for NSWFDA and remained in that position through to 2005. At that point, she took over the role of Treasurer, serving to 2010. Even though she resigned her position at the UFNSW 2010 AGM she has continued to perform basic duties while the new Treasurer comes up to speed and signatories are handed over. During that time, she was an integral part of the NSWFDA Executive being involved with all key decisions. She freed up the administrative role by taking on the vast amount of data entry and expense tracking within the NSWFDA financial system. Her role in driving the NSWFDA’s yearly report has been instrumental in guaranteeing the association’s NSW Department of Sport and Recreation grant in a number of years. Rachel was also a member of the AFDA Board during this time, filling the role of Secretary from 2003 – 2004.

In addition to Executive administrative roles, Rachel has been responsible for organizing a number of Australian tournaments (Australian Ultimate Championships 2008 (Treasurer), NUFL2 (TD) 2006, NSW State Championships (Treasurer and co-TD) 2008, Longest Day (Co-TD) 2005-2009 and Into the Wild (2009)). She was the Squad Manager for the Australian teams attending the World Ultimate & Guts Championships in Finland in 2004, and has been a chief organiser of the Wildcard club side since 2006.

Rachel has been keen to help develop new and intermediate players to build their skill level through to the elite level, particularly women. She has been an integral part of the Wildcard leadership team, constantly encouraging women to improve their skills from beginner through to elite levels. She coached Wildside (Wildcard/Southside B team) at the Australian Ultimate Championships in 2004. She has also organised a women’s league in Sydney. Her friendly attitude has helped many young women continue their Ultimate careers forward.

Rachel’s playing skills are also of a level that matches her elite peers. At a national level she has competed in most major championships, including the Australian Ultimate Championships (2003, 2005-10), Australian Mixed Ultimate Championships (2002-05, 2007-10), Australian University Championships (2001, 2009). Rachel won with mixed team Shto-liba in 2004 and captained Wildcard to victory in 2007 and 2009. On the international stage she has played in the World Ultimate Club Championships (2002 and 2006), represented Australia in the Asia-Oceania Ultimate Championships (2005), winning a silver medal, and on the Australian Women’s team at World Ultimate & Guts Championships (2008), which finished fourth, their highest placing ever. Rachel was a senior member of many of these teams, this testifies to her elite level of skills and dedication to her athletic level.

She has been recognized for her contribution to ultimate both on and off the field by being awarded the Wildcard Club Person of the Tear for four consecutive years from 2006 to 2009, AFDA Administrator of the Year in 2007, and a UFNSW Award in 2009.

On a personal level, I have always found Rachel to be a fantastic ambassador to the sport of Ultimate. She brings an enthusiasm and efficiency to all she does. From meetings to tournaments and on-field play; her leadership qualities and love of the Spirit of the Game sees her throw herself into the sport at all levels with an energy and passion that befits a Rob Hancock Award winner. I would see Rachel as a fitting Rob Hancock Award Winner.

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