Karina Gray, Youth Girls Coach and Football Coordinator of the Tiwi Bombers, was awarded the Ron Evans Leadership Grant earlier this week.

Gray was named the recipient of the prestigious grant at the club’s Annual General Meeting on Monday night. The Ron Evans Leadership Grant recognises the outstanding contribution by the late Ron Evans to the Essendon Football Club, the general community and AFL football.

The Grant is awarded annually with confirmation of the recipient announced at the Essendon FC or another nominated alternative Club event. It is designed to promote leadership development of players, athletes and staff at the Essendon FC and its affiliated clubs.

Gray has been involved with the Tiwi Bombers Football Club since 2008, since its inaugural full season in the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL). During her time, Gray has volunteered in a number of roles including as a water runner, bench coach, award sponsor and now in the role of TOLL Tiwi Bombers Youth Girls Coach and Female Football Coordinator.

Gray also runs her own sports and community management company ‘Starwin Social Enterprise’ and by forming a partnership with the Tiwi Bombers, Starwin and Gray have overseen the development of the Youth Girls Leadership program this season, with over 30+ young Indigenous women who have joined the Tiwi Bombers to play in the NTFL Youth Girls (12-16yo) competition.

The Ron Evans Leadership Grant recipient is judged by panel members, which includes Andrea Evans, wife of former player and chairman of Ron Evans. Twice a Coleman Medallist, Evans played 64 games for Essendon between 1958-1962 and sadly passed away in 2007.