Kybybolite Football Club’s Noel Black is South Australia’s Community Sports Photographer of the Year.
Black, commonly known as Blackie, was bestowed with the award at the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) Community Volunteers Awards on October 11, 2024, in the William Magarey Room at Adelaide Oval, with more than 300 attendees.
The prestigious annual event recognises the thousands of volunteers who go above and beyond with their contribution to football.
Speaking to The [Naracoorte] News, Blackie said the recognition of his photography was a surprise, as it was something he never chased or aimed for.
“It is something that I genuinely love to do, and there are some really good sport photographers in the Limestone Coast,” he said.
“So, to be nominated and then to win was a thrill, but certainly doesn’t put me above any of the other wonderful sports photographers around our terrific part of the world.”
Blackie shared that he got into sports photography when his own kids started playing junior football and basketball in Naracoorte around 2006.
“I wanted to make sure our family had plenty of memories to look back on, and as my own parents lived too far away to see my kids play each weekend, it was a good way for them to see them in action too.
“My boys were pretty handy basketballers, so the photography grew into following them and their teams around the country in tournaments while continuing to follow them during football season out at Kyby, then slowly morphed into photographing all grades of football and netball, including the end of season team photos for Kyby.”
Blackie was nominated by club’s Sarah Ottoson-Crossling.
“I ultimately have to thank Sarah Ottoson-Crossling for putting together the nomination.
“She (Sarah) took the time out of an extremely busy schedule, unbeknownst to me, and made the effort to find out a bit about what I do, and I guess just generally paid a bit of notice each weekend to what I get up to.”
He said he gets inspired to take pictures purely because of the responses he gets from the public.
“My inspiration for taking my pictures is purely the response I get from the people that see them. Parents are pretty happy to have some action shots of their kids playing, the banter that goes on when I put up the senior footy and netball photos, and when one of the kids comes up to me at training and shows me every photo that I’ve put up of them that they have downloaded onto their phone.
“That makes it worthwhile and makes you want to take better photos next time around.”
Blackie said, in his humble opinion, a great picture is when you have caught the emotion of what is going on at the time.
“It is the absolute delight on a kid’s face after they have kicked their first goal ever, the satisfied exhaustion on one of our trainers faces at the end of the day, the determination of a senior netballer fighting for position, the look on a footballer’s face when he’s laid a ripping tackle, and the pure joy of the team after a grand final win—they are the moments I believe you need to catch as a photographer to get a great photo.”
Blackie says those who want to get into sports photography should “have a go”.
“Anyone out there that is thinking about getting into, especially sports photography, if you wanted any advice, it would be to grab the gear that you’ve got and learn how to use your gear properly.
“YouTube is terrific for this. Talk to anyone you can that is out there taking photos, and be patient with your results.
“It’s not rocket science, but it does take some time to get the hang of what settings work in what conditions. Have a go for sure.”
He said he was very fortunate to have the support of the Kybybolite Football and Netball Club.
“The club has never put any restrictions on what I do and has done everything to support me when it comes to setting up for team photos, match day access to coaches, trainers, and players, and the awesome supporters are usually ready with a smile and a few smart remarks to make it interesting.
“I’d like to say thank you to the SANFL for the award and a fantastic evening and hope to see you all on the ovals and courts.”
Speaking at the event, SANFL Executive General Manager Football Matt Duldig said volunteers were the lifeblood of our leagues and clubs and they go well beyond getting footy teams on the field.
“They are also vital in helping us ensure we continue to grow participation in our game and can provide opportunities for everyone to be involved, whether it be through clubs, schools or football programs right across the State,” Mr Duldig said.
“The Community Volunteer Awards are a great opportunity to highlight the outstanding contribution of our volunteers.”
Sarah’s nomination
She submitted the following:
Blackie is a family man and a true club man.
He has been a much-loved trainer for over six years for Kybybolite Football Club, adding to his volunteer work five years ago by taking photos of all the action on game day.
Covering everyone on game day, from the volunteers on gates, both football and netball athletes, coaches, support staff, and so many spectators. He’s captured our highlights and lowlights.
The wins, the losses, and the growth. He’s captured the memories—our memories. Player’s first games, milestones, and unexpected last games.
Blackie covers all seasons.
Blackie has also taken a young Kyby player and budding photographer under his wing, teaching him the trade and, on occasion, under a watchful eye, letting him snap away on his camera.
Blackie has become a great supporter of our women’s football, capturing our women and U16 girls in the Limestone Coast Women’s Football League.
He can be taking a photo one minute and running to the aid of trainers to help an injured player the next.
He captures 100s of memories and shares them with everyone, hours later.
He keeps people updated, far and wide, updating the club’s social media weekly with score updates, comments, humour, and plenty of fantastic photos, linking past players and members with the current action and news of our much-loved football club.
Blackie is a talented photographer who shares his photos for all to see, save and enjoy. He’s loved and appreciated and one of the best volunteers, and humans, going around.
This article appeared in the Naracoorte News.