Two extraordinary volunteers, Dawn Pereira and Gabrielle D’Agnone-Doyle, have been announced as the first recipients of the WA Local Sporting Stars Volunteer Recognition Program, celebrating the people who keep community sport thriving across Western Australia.
The new program shines a spotlight on the vital role volunteers play in connecting communities, supporting grassroots clubs and creating positive sporting experiences for thousands of Western Australians. Each year, around 320,000 people volunteer across WA sport, contributing countless hours as coaches, officials, administrators and organisers.
Supported by a $294,000 investment from the WA Government and delivered in partnership with SportWest, Seven West Media and Spudshed, the Local Sporting Stars program recognises volunteers whose dedication, leadership and impact strengthen local sporting communities and inspire others to get involved.
One of the inaugural winners, Dawn Pereira, has been recognised for her outstanding service to Gosnells City Football Club. Wearing many hats as a committee member, canteen supervisor and bar manager, Dawn is a cornerstone of the club. She is often the first to arrive and the last to leave on match days, opening facilities, running the canteen, managing bar operations and ensuring licensing requirements are met. Dawn dedicates dozens of hours each week during the season, regularly sacrificing weekends, public holidays and even planning her personal leave around football commitments to support her club. Her tireless behind-the-scenes work ensures players, families and volunteers feel welcome and supported every time they step through the gates.
Also announced as an inaugural Local Sporting Star is Gabrielle D’Agnone-Doyle from Maddington Little Athletics, recognised for her extraordinary commitment as a coach and mentor. For more than 20 years, Gabrielle has been a driving force within the club, dedicating up to five days a week to coaching and mentoring young athletes. Her impact extends far beyond results on the track, nurturing confidence, resilience and a lifelong love of sport in the children she supports. Gabrielle’s commitment is a powerful example of volunteer spirit — she continued coaching right up until the day before giving birth earlier this year, balancing family life with an unwavering dedication to her athletes and club.
The WA Local Sporting Stars Volunteer Recognition Program celebrates a broad range of volunteer contributions, including youth leadership, long-standing service, inclusive participation, innovation and all-round support within sporting communities.
Nominations for future recipients remain open, with winners selected by a dedicated panel throughout the program. Community members are encouraged to nominate the volunteers who make a difference in their local clubs and help keep sport strong across Western Australia. Recognise your Volunteers here.
Through stories like Dawn’s and Gabrielle’s, the Local Sporting Stars program aims to recognise, celebrate and elevate the volunteers who are the heartbeat of community sport.
