Toowoomba Junior Rugby League stalwart Jackie Stephson is the newest life member of the TJRL, following their Annual Ball at St Patrick’s Cathedral Centre recently.
The honour was announced by TJRL President Dan Aldons and Stephson was presented her award TJRL Life Member Brad Steer to acknowledge her hard work and long commitment to junior rugby league over the past years.
Stephson was the TJRL’s second female president (2014-2015), former secretary (2013 and 2016) and treasurer (2011-2012).
She now heads up the TJRL girls rugby league program.
Stephson, like so many parents, began her junior rugby league involvement on the sideline watching her four sons play before taking on a number of official club duties.
“Jackie is a well-known and highly respected junior rugby league identity in Toowoomba,” Aldons said when presenting the award.
“She has a long commitment to junior rugby league and now provides the League with guidance through her role as the local QRL administrator.
“I’m honoured to have been able to work with Jackie and directly see the benefits she has provided the TJRL over many years.”
As the TJRL girls coordinator, Stephson is responsible for junior girls rugby league participation and development in Toowoomba.
Her work with the program has seen a significant increase in female participation.
Also, the well-above average player numbers across the league are much thanks to her engagement with the junior rugby league community around the city.
Her devotion to the development and enhancement of female participation in the game was reflected in 2014 when first elected president, and all four executive positions of the TJRL were filled by women.
While Stephson has always adopted a good “Women In League” ethos and helped to promote it in rugby league circles, she is always happy to put the words into practice.
Her dedication to junior rugby league community has been critical to the success of the Toowoomba Junior Rugby League and the development of a girls rugby league competition in our region.
“This is a great recognition of Jackie’s devotion, commitment and contribution to the Toowoomba Junior Rugby League over a long period of time and I congratulate her on the award,” Aldons said.