ALISON BESWICK GIRLS BEST & FAIREST AWARD

In recognition of the passing of Alison Beswick on 4 October 2024 and all the work she did for the Club particularly in its early years, the Committee recently decided in mid-October 2024 to name the Best and Fairest Award for the girls team in the oldest age group "The Alison Beswick - Best & Fairest Trophy" from the 2025 season.

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Background to the Naming of the new Best & Fairest Trophy:
Alison (Ali) and Jerome Walsh were among the pioneering families of the Brunswick Junior Football Club, with their son Jonas playing in the first team in 2010. Ali played an active role in the development of the club, coming onto the Committee in 2013. This was followed by two years as Vice President (2014-2015) and eventually club President in 2016.

Ali was awarded Life Membership of the Brunswick Junior Football Club in 2020. A major objective of Ali’s in joining the Committee was to initiate a girls football program, which she was successful in establishing in 2015, with the first all-girls team (U15) flying the Dragons colours. This team went on to play finals in only their second year.

Ali recruited some indigenous girls from their foster family in Pascoe Vale. The W.A. community had sent them to Melbourne for an education. Ali invited them to training and they played for the club for 2 years – the major recruit being Krystal Petrevski, who was eventually recruited initially by Melbourne AFLW and then later on by West Coast AFLW.

Other initiatives of Ali’s included the girls footy “Come & Try days”, with the first in 2016, hosted by Darebin Falcons and GWS player Jess Dal Pos. The next major issue was the development of Clifton Oval as a suitable playing ground
with training lights. Ali was instrumental in engaging with Moreland City Council and the AFL to seek funding for this oval. Ali’s pursuit to establish this playing ground and training facilities for the club resulted in the AFL taking up the cause, with Ali hosting the AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan at the ground in 2016. The AFL provided funds for this project, and the lights were installed in August 2018. Alison was a tireless worker and advocate for the Dragons and lived by the mantra that “If you want something done, give it to someone busy!”

Sadly, Ali lost her battle with cancer on Friday 4 October 2024.

The BJFC Committee decided at their meeting on Monday 14 October 2024, that in view of Alison’s significant contribution to the Brunswick Junior Football Club and Girls football over many years, that from 2025 season the Best and Fairest Award in the oldest age group for girls, shall be named the “Alison Beswick – Best & Fairest Trophy”.

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The inaugural winner of this trophy was Abbey Billing in 2025.

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