Tamborine Mountain Eagles volunteer coach Shanti Salter has been recognised for her contribution to junior football, receiving the Female Community Coach of the Year award for Queensland Football.
The recognition came as a surprise to Salter, who stepped forward to coach the club’s Under-9 girls team during her first year involved with the Eagles.
Salter said without someone volunteering, the team would not have been able to compete this season.
“The under-nine girls team wouldn’t have existed this season had I not put my hand up,” she said.
“It was just a volunteer role and I didn’t want the girls to miss out.”
Despite having previous experience coaching junior basketball, Salter said she had no formal football coaching qualifications and was unaware she had been nominated.
“I actually thought it was spam to be honest,” she said.
“I opened it up and I’m like, how did I win female coach of the year?”
Throughout the season, Salter focused on building confidence, encouraging sportsmanship and helping young players develop friendships.
She said watching the girls grow individually and learn to work together had been particularly rewarding.
“A lot of them it’s been their first season, so it was just kind of encouraging a young kid to get out of their shell and give it a try,” she said.
“Just seeing that individual growth and then seeing them adapt really well to a team sport environment.”
Salter’s commitment also came despite fracturing her back earlier in the year, with coaching becoming a weekly highlight during her recovery.
Having grown up with limited access to organised sport, Salter said providing opportunities for young people, particularly girls, remained an important motivation.
She has also helped secure sponsorship to cover the team’s club fees and uniforms next season.
“Anything and everything that promotes females in sport, I’m all for it,” she said.
Salter said she hoped to continue supporting junior sport and encouraging greater participation across the mountain.
