Nominations are open for the 2011 Harvey Norman Women In League Achievement Awards to be presented as part of the prestigious annual One Community Awards during Grand Final Week in September.

The WIL Achievement Awards (Paid and Volunteer) are among 10 to be presented at a gala function at Sydney Town Hall as the 2011 Community Awards kick off the NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final Week celebrations on Monday, September 27.

The WIL awards are presented to two women – one a volunteer and one a paid employee - who have either acted as an outstanding advocate for the advancement and opportunity of women in Rugby League or the advancement of Rugby League generally.

They will be recognised for their own personal achievements and contributions to the game. These women have raised awareness of women's involvement in Rugby League, and played an active role in encouraging more girls and women to participate in rugby league.

Or, they may have also made a significant contribution to Rugby League development, competitions or events and demonstrated valuable service to the sport.

Harvey Norman will generously donate $5,000 Harvey Norman Gift Card to the winners.

Last year’s volunteer winner Sue Fletcher has been involved with rugby league in Central Queensland for almost 20 years … and can travel up to 330km just for a club meeting.

Sue got involved with the Springsure Rugby League Football Club, near Emerald, 19 years ago when her two sons took up the sport.

Since this time she has performed almost every role possible with the club including registrar, treasurer and secretary for a number of years at a time.

Going above her title she fills many roles within the senior rugby league club including catering, bar work, gate person for home games, selling raffle ticket and licensing coordinator to name a few.

Sue lives 45km from Springsure on a rural property and can travel anywhere up to 330km for a club meeting. She is a dedicated supporter of the teams and travels to all away games, even though none of her own children play now.

In addition to volunteering, Sue works full-time at Springsure Rural Traders and has raised three children while holding these committee positions.

She is also the main “offsider” to her husband on their beef property.

Nominations close on August 8. To nominate someone for this award, click here click here.

This year’s awards will also include the inaugural Rugby League Learn. Earn. Legend! Award presented in partnership with the Federal Government’s Learn. Earn. Legend! campaign to a young Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person who has demonstrated the initiative’s core values by making a commitment to further their education, improve their career options and act as a role model for other young Indigenous Australians.

More than 400 nominations were received for last year’s awards with the 2011 Award categories including:

• Ken Stephen Medal presented by Telstra (Telstra will give $5,000 to the winner and $5,000 to their favourite charity)
• Toyota National Volunteer of the Year (Toyota will give $5,000 to the winner and $5,000 to their club)
• Harvey Norman Women in League Achievement Awards, Volunteer and Paid (Harvey Norman will give a $5,000 Harvey Norman Gift Card to each of the winners)
• Telstra NRL Club Community Program of the Year (Telstra will give $10,000 to the NRL Club’s Community Program development and/or staff development)
• Telstra Grassroots Club of the Year (Telstra will give two Telstra Assistance Packs valued at $2,000 each plus $2,000 to the club)
• AAMI Service to the Community Award (AAMI will provide $5,000 towards the winning community program)
• AAMI Service to Refereeing Award (AAMI will give $2,500 cheque to the winner)
• ARL Development National Teacher of the Year Award (ARLD will provide $2,500 to the winning teacher and a $500 equipment pack for their school)
• Rugby League Learn. Earn. Legend! Award.