Joe Mottola, Bayside Volunteer of the Year!

Beauy (ex) President Joe Mottola was honoured by Bayside Council with the Volunteer of the Year award 2026 at the Council Community Awards ceremony last night.

Having been nominated by representatives of Football Victoria, Joe was one of three finalists for the prestigious award, and was thrilled to win for his 20+ year service to Beaumaris Soccer Club, and the football community in Bayside. Under Joe’s leadership our club more than doubled in members and experienced significant growth in our female football program. Joe explained:

“The catalyst for achieving this milestone for our female players was getting a new Pavilion fit for purpose. This took 11 years of lobbying and significant fund raising by the clubs volunteers and now a generation of girls have a facility that their predecessors pushed hard to realise success. I’m always reminded that it is our volunteers, all hard working members of the community, parents and grandparents, who made this happen. I accept this award in their name and I encourage people to get involved in community sport which is the bedrock of our community. The pandemic reminded us all that we cannot take for granted our sporting clubs, whatever code they represent. Children learn to play and have fun in a positive team environment, skills that will serve them well in life. None of this can happen without volunteers who prepare the grounds, serve in the canteen, raise funds for essential equipment and coach kids in skills development.”

Although Joe is now retired from Club presidency and management of the canteen, he is still very much involved with BSC as a sponsor and is helping our new President Emily Day take over the reins.

We are so proud of Joe for this incredible and richly deserved award. Congratulations Joe, thank you for everything you have given our club and community.