WA Football’s young volunteer winner Josh Kirk shares Wagin FC’s story in AFL’s More to Footy campaign

A dedicated small-town footballer has been nationally broadcasted sharing his story with local club Wagin as part of an AFL campaign for the 2026 season.

Born and bred Wagin Football Club player Josh Kirk was featured in AFL’s More to Footy campaign that launched on February 4.

The initiative explores beyond the on-field experience, highlighting volunteers, coaches, players and umpires contributing to local league success, while encouraging others to get involved.

The AFL selected eight exceptional individuals — including Mr Kirk — nationwide, to share their club’s history, values and those who help local football prosper.

Mr Kirk said the AFL approached him after he received the WA Football’s volunteer of the year award for 2025.

The 23-year-old said he was initially hesitant to be in a nationwide campaign because he is not “one for the spotlight” before ultimately deciding to push outside his comfort zone.

“I was surprised to have been given the opportunity, and that’s why I took it to not only share my story but the Wagin Football Club story,” he said. “ To have it Australia-wide is pretty special.”

The AFL spent two days in Wagin filming on October 29 and 30, which involved a mock training with the Bulldogs team and exploring Kirk’s family farm.

Mr Kirk said the promo shows the village of people who make the club possible.

“The mock training run made it a bit easier on myself not having all the pressure and spotlight on me.” he said.

“It’s good to show that there’s other people in the club that are doing the same thing, I’m not the only one, and the culture is strong.”

The young Bulldog said when he joined the committee in 2020 and took on leadership roles he was shocked to discover everything that went on behind the scenes throughout the year.

He said volunteers are in charge so much including committee meetings, sponsorship, new rules, game-day preparation, delegate meetings, registering players, organising teams and uniforms plus running the kitchen and bar.

I hope the campaign gets more people involved in the behind-the-curtain stuff

“Wagin’s a small town so there’s less and less volunteers popping up.

“There’s more to footy than footy, and unless we get more people coming to help, people are just going to get worn out.”

Aside from volunteers, Mr Kirk said the campaign shows why he loves being part of country football.

“Being social is the biggest thing for me,” Mr Kirk said. “Being such a small community there’s not much else really out there, but if you join a group you meet more people, new memories, new commitments.

“As soon as I put the message out about the campaign, blokes were happy to give their time to help me and the club.

“Having people here to rally around and help out, it’s pretty awesome.”