SCOTT Mieni has been recognised for his outstanding and invaluable contribution to rugby league.
The Urunga resident was awarded Volunteer of the Year in the NRL National Community Awards – First Nations.
He was also named the NSW Rugby League First Nations Volunteer of the Year.
Mieni has been a committee member, coach, and mentor for more than 30 years, and has played a defining role in assisting the First Nations community.
For the past three years, he has led the development of culturally appropriate judiciary panels, which has strengthened trust between the First Nations community and local rugby league governance.
He also played an important role in developing the women’s game in the region, as a mentor and advisor, as well as a former coach of the North Coast Bulldogs.
Mieni said it was an honour to be recognised for his contributions to the game he truly loves.
“I’ve never been into accolades, it’s just the things you do, and I never thought it would happen to me,” he said.
“Dean Widders presented the national award to me, and he said this is out of all of Australia, you should be proud.
“It means a lot to me, for all the time you put in you do it for the love of the game, but it’s an honour to be recognised.”
The First Nations Volunteer of the Year will be re-presented with his national award on NRL grand final day in Sydney.
Mieni played 42 games for the Gold Coast-Tweed Giants and Gold Coast Seagulls from 1988 to 1990.
By Aiden BURGESS
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