Volunteer of the Year 2025 🏆

Volunteer of the Year, Marina Leatherbarrow (middle)

The South West soccer community celebrated one of our own last month with Marina Leatherbarrow of Bunbury United Soccer Club taking home Volunteer of the Year at the 2025 Bunbury Geographe Sports Awards!

The annual awards, held at the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre on 11 July, recognise the people who bring sport to life across our region, from athletes and officials to the dedicated volunteers behind the scenes. This year’s event attracted the most nominations in the award’s three-year history, a true reflection of the passion and pride within our local sporting clubs.

The Volunteer of the Year award, proudly presented by the Shire of Capel, shines a light on individuals whose time and energy help keep sport running. Marina’s story is a beautiful example of just that.

She started volunteering at Bunbury United at the age of 12, following in the footsteps of her parents, who have been long-time volunteers at the club. Today, she’s still going strong! Marina is joined by her own kids and even her 94-year-old Nonna, who continues to lend a hand. For Marina, volunteering is about giving back and supporting the next generation, especially the juniors who are just starting their soccer journey.

And boy, are there are a lot of juniors to support! Bunbury United is home to over 400 junior players across 35 teams, making it one of the largest junior soccer programs in the region. It's thanks to volunteers like Marina that the club continues to thrive.

“Sports don’t run without volunteers,” Marina says — and she’s absolutely right.

We are incredibly proud of Marina and grateful for her continued service to the game and the South West Soccer Association. Volunteers like her are the heart of our clubs, and it’s wonderful to see that heart recognised on such a big stage.