Grassroots Rugby League heroes will tomorrow night share the limelight with some of the game’s superstars at the third annual Rugby League One Community Awards, to be held at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney.

The One Community Awards recognise the outstanding contributions of individuals, clubs and players from across Australia to Rugby League and the community and feature the presentation of the Telstra Ken Stephen Medal to the NRL player who has demonstrated outstanding service to the game both on and off the field.

Other awards include the Toyota National Volunteer of the Year, the Harvey Norman Women in League Achievement awards and five prestigious community awards.
Finalists will travel to Sydney from as far as Normanton, in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Palmerton, in the Northern Territory, and New Zealand.

“The One Community Awards acknowledge the important and invaluable contribution these Rugby League heroes make to the game and to the community at large,” said NRL Director of Community Relations, Trish Crews.

“The awards bring together our NRL stars and grassroots heroes and give the game a chance to say thank you for the inspired work they do in communities across the country.”

What: 2009 Rugby League One Community Awards
When: 7pm - 10pm, Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Where: Foundation Hall, Museum of Contemporary Art, West Circular Quay, Sydney
Who: Guests include individual and clubs finalists, NRL Chief Executive David Gallop, ARL/NSWRL CEO Geoff Carr and NRL club representatives
RSVP: Working media are invited to attend and should RSVP to Brooke Devereux 02 9368 4503, 0449 013 151

The 2009 One Community Awards finalists are:

* Telstra Ken Stephens Award – Matt Bowen (North Queensland Cowboys); Preston Campbell (Gold Coast Titans); Justin Carney (Canberra Raiders); Petero Civoniceva (Penrith Panthers); Luke Douglas (Cronulla Sharks); Nathan Hindmarsh (Parramatta Eels); Nick Kenny (Brisbane Broncos); Anthony Minichiello (Sydney Roosters); Corey Payne (Wests Tigers); Ben Rogers (Newcastle Knights); George Rose (Manly Sea Eagles); Andrew Ryan (Canterbury Bulldogs); Wendell Sailor (St George Illawarra Dragons); Jamie Simpson (South Sydney Rabbitohs); Manu Vatuvei (New Zealand Warriors); Brett White (Melbourne Storm).

* Telstra One Community NRL Club of the Year - Titans, Dragons, Bulldogs, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Eels, Knights, Warriors.

* Toyota National Volunteer of the Year - Darryl Kelly (Wagga Rugby League); Russell Magennis (Penrith JRL); Kelly Carter (Mid West QLD Rugby League); Julie Saville (Country Rugby League); Ashley Lindsay (Yamba, QLD); Neil Barry (Denman Sandy Hollow JRLFC); Sue Hartley 9Illawarra JRL); Peter Hadfield (Cronulla JRL); Allen Johannessen (Wondai JRL); Owen Lingard (Roma RL); Lynde Herson (Redlands RLC); John Diamond (Rockhampton and Central Division RL); Craig Maudsley (Ipswich JRL).

* Telstra One Community Grassroots Club of the Year - Leeton JRLC (NSW), Thirroul JRLC (NSW), Junee Diesels (NSW)

* AAMI Service to the Community - Baradine Magpies RLFC (NSW), Lower Clarence Magpies RLC (NSW); Normanton Stingers (QLD).

* AAMI Service to Refereeing - Bill Curnoe (Central Cost Division RLRA); Ross Bennett (Gold Coast RLRA); Julie Hanson (Canberra District RLRA).

* Harvey Norman Women in League Award: Volunteer - Helen Adams (Bribie Island RLFC); Barbara Pfeiffer (Canberra RLFC); Debbie May (Country Rugby League).

* Harvey Norman Women in League Award: Paid - Jackie Edwards (NTRL); Ange Rossi (Bulldogs); Petrece Kesha (Warriors).

* ARL Development National Teacher of the Year: Primary - Carrie White (Blakewell PS, NT); Ken Hamil (Tully State PS QLD); Caryln Bladen (Queanbeyan West PS NSW).

* ARL Development National Teacher of the Year: Secondary - Phillip Schaefer (Convenor of CIS RL NSW), Jim Look (Wynnum State HS QLD); Travis McIntosh (Hallam Senior College VIC).

Further enquiries: Nishara Miles 02 9339 8531, 0402 445 500
Brooke Devereux 02 9368 4503, 0449 013 151