The award will be named the Ged McCormick Medal, for his lifetime involvement with football at club and league level.
McCormick is a life member of the HDFNL, appointed in 2009, and a life member of the previous HDFL.
He is also a life member of Elmore Football Netball Club, of which he has held a number of administrative positions such as president for three years during the 1990s and was awarded the prestigious AFL Vic Country Service Medal in 2018.
“I’m highly honoured to have the under-15s best-and-fairest medal named in my honour,” McCormick said, reflecting on the honour.
“You don’t do these things for recognition for a life spent with footy, but it’s nice to be appreciated, I suppose.”
McCormick emphasised his excitement to see the under-15s added, highlighting the value of the younger grade keeping players in the league right through to senior football.
“I’m keen on the under-15s as a grade, I think it gives a pathway for young players and lets them stay with their home clubs,” he said.
“It's what the league needs for retention, then they can move into under-18s and into their senior footy careers.”
McCormick reflected on his time with Elmore, with his roles in administration giving him valuable life experience.
“I did 21 years as Elmore’s treasurer, I tried to give my best and working with everyone all those years, I quite enjoyed it.”
“I was a club representative for a few years beforehand, I just really enjoy being involved, I learnt a lot in my time there.”
McCormick pointed out the importance for juniors to be involved in organised sport from a young age for good social development.
“I think being involved with footy from a young age is so important for development of kids on and off the field,” he said.
“Friendships, mateship, you meet many people you wouldn’t normally get to meet, especially when they are young.
“We had kids from Elmore go to eight different high schools between Bendigo, Echuca and Rochester, so the only time they’d see their mates was at footy training or game day.
“So, without that junior sport, they didn’t have that connection.”
