World Footy News

Hayley Robinson from the AFL Umpires Association has been awarded the 2012 Jill Lindsay Scholarship. Robinson has been the Administration Co-ordinator at the AFLUA since completing an AFL Sports Ready traineeship in 2008. Since then she has managed office operations, general correspondence, the AFLUA member benefits programme, and co-ordinated events.

Robinson said that though winning the scholarship was totally unexpected for her, she was thrilled to that the opportunity to continue her studies.
“I’m an open book at the moment. I’m going to get some advice on which course I should take, but I know I want to study business and pursue a career within the football industry,” she said.

In addition to the scholarship fund, AFL Sports Ready will also provide Robinson a laptop valued at $700 to assist her with her studies. Leading Australian women’s fashion brand Perri Cutten has also donated a voucher to the value of $750.

Robinson will now be mentored by Andi Pert, a HR consultant specializing in leadership development and executive coaching, for 12 months. Pert is the wife of Collingwood FC Chief Executive Officer Gary Pert and played softball for a team coached by Jill Lindsay.

AFL Sports Ready is the AFL’s employment and training partner. It was established in 1995 to enhance the career pathways in employment and training for both athletes and those in supporting roles. The program employs and mentors more than 600 trainees throughout Australia each year. In 2011, AFL Sports Ready inducted its 9000th trainee of which more than 1000 have been Indigenous Australians.

The Jill Lindsay Scholarship is awarded to the female graduate with the most potential to come through the AFL’s Sports Ready programme. The scholarship is worth $20,000 and aids the successful candidate through further education. The award was previously awarded to Carlton Football Club Membership Operations Manager Nicole Rowlings.

Jill Lindsay was the AFL’s longest serving employee having worked there for 41 years before tragically losing her battle with cancer in February last year. The AFL created the scholarship in recognition of her outstanding service.