Narrandera Lizards stalwart Noka Prior has been recognised for years of selfless service to rugby league, being named the 2026 NSW Rugby League Bidgee Region Volunteer of the Year award. As part of the recognition, Noka was invited to attend the Brad Fittler Medal presentation at The Star Sydney on Monday 31 August, where the 2026 NSWRL Community Awards were celebrated. During the ceremony, the honours recognised Noka’s outstanding contribution to the sport, with the Lizards describing the award as a fitting tribute to someone who has given so much to both the club and the wider community. For Noka, the award ceremony was a “once-in-a-lifetime” event. “It was honestly a surreal experience,” she said. “To not only be in the same room as some of the NSW teams, players and coaching staff, but to actually have the opportunity to mingle, have conversations and make connections with people I would normally only see from the sidelines was pretty incredible. “I met a lot of new people through contacts I already had, which opened up some great conversations and connections. “Overall, it was an amazing event and definitely one of those once-in-a-lifetime highlights that I’ll remember for a long time.” A current Lizards player and former committee member, Noka has been involved in rugby league since 2019 when she was part of the Lizards’ first women’s tackle team and said the recognition came as a complete surprise. “The work I’ve done over the years has never been about recognition,” Noka said. “It’s always just been about giving back to a game and community. “Receiving this award is incredibly humbling.” Some of Noka’s roles with the Lizards’ junior and senior clubs have included being treasurer, registrar, coach coordinator, an accredited Level 1 Sports Trainer, coach, referee, committee member and one of the coaches involved in the Riverina RISE Development Program for the girls’ tackle squad. “I never set out to do all those roles,” Noka said. “Like most country clubs, if something needs doing, someone has to put their hand up. “I’ve also been incredibly lucky to learn from coaches, mentors and volunteers who have shared their knowledge with me over the years. “They trusted me, encouraged me and gave me opportunities, and that’s what has allowed me to grow within the game.” Nowadays, Noka’s biggest motivation is focusing on her children taking to the field. “Watching them grow up around the club and now seeing them out on the field reminds me why volunteering matters,” she said. “I want them and every child who pulls on a Lizards’ jersey to have opportunities, good coaches, safe environments and a club they can be proud to call home. “I think this award reflects years of involvement with both the senior and junior club, but it definitely isn’t about one person. “Community football only works because people quietly put their hand up. “Whether they’re on the committee, coaching, sports training, refereeing, marking fields, running the canteen, being a ground manager, or simply helping wherever they’re needed, every single volunteer plays an important role. “I’ve simply been fortunate enough to stand alongside them.” Noka’s rugby league journey has not been plain sailing as she has encountered a few hiccups along the way. Despite suffering a devastating injury two years ago when she broke her hip and shattered her pelvis during a match, her commitment to the game never wavered during a “long road back”. The lengthy recovery left her uncertain whether she would ever play again, but while she couldn’t take the field, she never stepped away from the club. Returning to play this season has been a milestone for Noka, but she said watching her daughters and other young girls embrace tackle football has been even more rewarding. “Growing up, I was always told tackle wasn’t for girls,” she said. “Now I get to watch my daughters and so many other young girls run onto the field with confidence and prove that they belong there just as much as anyone else. “That’s probably what drives me the most. “Everything I do in rugby league is about creating opportunities for the next generation, especially girls. “I want them to know there are no limits to where this game can take them, whether that's as a player, coach, referee, trainer or volunteer - if boys can dream big in rugby league, girls should grow up believing they can too.” NSWRL chief executive David Trodden said the game would not survive without volunteers. “Their role has become even more important as NSWRL continues to set new participation benchmarks each season, including the increasing popularity of women’s rugby league,” he said. “NSWRL’s Volunteer of the Year awards are a way for us to thank you for the invaluable contribution volunteers around the state have made to their club for a number of years, in some cases, decades. “The recipients of this year’s awards have all shown great dedication to ensure the success of rugby league and I thank them for their efforts and wish them all the best for the future.” Picking who would accompany Noka to the award ceremony caused some light-hearted banter. “Choosing my plus one caused a little bit of debate at home,” she said “My husband was thrilled to get the nod, but my eldest daughter, Estelle, wasn’t too happy that she missed out. “Football is definitely a family affair in our household.”
