In celebration of a decade-long partnership with the GIANTS, Harvey Norman is proud to spotlight community changemakers through the Harvey Norman Heroes program — individuals who go above and beyond to grow the game and make a difference in their local communities.
One such trailblazer is Joan Vosnakes from the Queanbeyan Tigers who is our second Harvey Norman Hero.
Labelled ‘the backbone of the Tiger’s women’s program,’ Joan has played a pivotal role in Queanbeyan’s first-ever women’s team back in 2010 – the Tigerettes – and in doing so providing opportunities for countless young girls and women in the region to play football.
Serving as the team manager for that very first side in 2010 through to the current side – as well as the club’s Rising Stars Women’s team - Joan has been a crucial figure in Canberra’s female football landscape for more than 15 years.
“I love the club, it’s absolutely fantastic,” Joan said.
“I love the passion of football and really enjoyed getting the girls team up and running.”
When the Tigers expanded to form a reserves team in 2018, Joan was pivotal in driving recruitment, and when the club’s youngsters transitioned from juniors to seniors in 2023, she seamlessly guided that process and took on the role of team manager once again.
“I love the girls,” Joan said.
“If they’ve got issues they come to me and we sort it out, but most of all I love the girls, and they love being at this club.”
Across her 16 years of service, Joan has handled every aspect of player and club communications – from match day details and function updates to availability tracking and coach messages. Her tireless dedication is widely recognised across both the club and the league.
“I love all the volunteers at the club, there’s so many that help and they’re all fantastic,” the modest volunteer said.
“I love helping progress the Queanbeyan Tigers and seeing the massive growth in women’s football in Canberra. We’ve now got six [women’s] teams in div one in Canberra, we’ve got six in div two, and then there’s a community football division as well, which we [the Tigers] don’t have a team in, but it’s great to have that as well.”
In her nomination for the round five Harvey Norman Hero, it was said: ‘Respected, reliable, and relentlessly committed, Joan’s influence on the growth and success of women’s football in the ACT is second to none.’
“It makes me very proud hearing something like that,” Joan said of her nomination.
“I’m very proud to be part of the women’s football program in Canberra and helping develop it for all the girls in the region.
“I got asked to manage the under 22 rep side and open side last year and this year which I did and I got to know a lot of girls from the other clubs and it was really great to see the other side of the girls from other clubs and seeing how much women’s football is developing.”
As major advocates for the growth of women’s sport — especially in Western Sydney and the ACT— Harvey Norman and the GIANTS are celebrating their 10th season of partnership by giving back to the community. The Harvey Norman Heroes initiative is all about recognising local legends like Joan who are shaping the future of football from the grassroots up.
