Brad Ebert has won the second annual John McCarthy Award for his service to the community outside of the Port Adelaide Football Club.
The award is issued in honour of the late Port Adelaide footballer John McCarthy to the player at the club who demonstrates service to the community external to the programs operated by the club’s community department and for outstanding personal acts.
The Power vice-captain earned the award after a year of strong community contribution as an advocate for motor neurone disease awareness and youth opportunity and leadership.
Ebert’s work with motor neurone disease (MND) advocacy includes contributions to promotions like the Walk to D-Feet MND.
Motor neurone disease is the name given to a class of degenerative and incurable diseases that cause the nerve cells that control the body’s muscles to slowly deteriorate and die.
Without these neurones, the basic motor functions of the body decrease until inoperability.
Brad was inspired to help raise awareness for MND after his grandmother Lorraine was diagnosed with the disease.
Less conspicuous is Ebert’s involvement as a board member of the Sammy D Foundation.
As an honorary board member and association ambassador, Brad offers the foundation formed by the parents of the late South Adelaide footballer Sam Davis a contemporary perspective on issues confronting young people in South Australia.
The foundation aims to lead a change in youth culture through education and mentoring and to promote opportunity and leadership for ‘at risk’ young people.
2014 John McCarthy Award
Winner: Brad Ebert
2nd: Jack Hombsch
3rd: Alipate Carlile
