Val Hardie won the inaugural MPNFL Woman of the Year for her involvement in local football. 48466 Picture: Kim Cartmell
By Bridget Brady
“WHAT a woman” was the murmur around the room after Val Hardie spoke about her dedication to her football club.
Between washing woollen football jumpers, cooking meals twice a week for players, strapping ankles and holding positions on the committee, there isn’t much Val Hardie hasn’t done for the Mornington Football Club.
And so it was fitting that the foster mum became the inaugural winner of the Woman of the Year at the MPNFL Women Making a Mark annual luncheon last Friday.
Val’s devotion to the Mornington Football Club started as a teenager when she worked in the canteen. Her duties gradually piled up and before long she was secretary, and later became the assistant secretary for the league.
At first she performed her duties because, quite simply, “you had to”.
But her continued involvement in football was motivated through her desire to prove sceptical people wrong and show them that women could make their mark in football when she was told to stay away.
And Val has certainly made her mark.
Val said she was thrilled to receive the woman of the year award.
“I’m very overcome. What an honour,” she said.
Val, who is the longest serving secretary at the Mornington Football Club, said she always believed a person should contribute to their community if they were able to and thought a football club was a perfect opportunity to do this.
She said people at footy clubs always offered a smile and kind word and made people feel included.
Football has caused lots of grey hair and angst for Val, “but for all of that I’ve met some incredible people.”
