Dan Gollan and his Little Blacks Army are in the running for one of Australian rugby's most prestigious awards.
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Blacks vice-president Gollan is one of five finalists for the HSBC Volunteer of the Year which carries a prize of $10,000 to the winner’s club.
The Little Blacks Army is the affectionate name for the club’s under-7 competition.
From visiting Waratahs players swamped by youngsters to head office of the Australian Rugby Union the program has drawn wide praise.
“It’s unbelievable how it has developed,” Gollan said of the program which he and Blacks president Ben Emmett discussed over a drink four years ago.
Gollan said the club now had more than 400 junior players across the age groups, with three under-8, three under-9 and three under-10 teams, which came through the under 7s, competing in the Hunter junior competition.
“Dan Gollan has been involved with this club his entire life, he has been on numerous committee positions through the years and over the past year he has realised a goal at developing an U7s program surpassing junior involvement of many clubs in the state” Gollan’s nomination states.
“Due to his efforts Maitland has as many U7s players turning up on a Saturday than the entire Hunter district. He is passionate about his club surpassed only by his passion for his adoring family.
“His main focus is always on his ‘Little Blacks Army' having fun first and foremost and enjoying the game he loves."
Award winners will receive their prize at the the ARU’s annual John Eales Medal night on October 27.
