AFTER more than four decades working in sport in the Far North, Del Lythall would not have it any other way.

AFL Cape York House’s administration manager jokes that she knew nothing about Australian rules football in 1989 when she started working in the game.

Lythall recently celebrated a decade working to enhance the lifestyle skills of indigenous Australians and increase participation in sport through the AFL game.

Program manager Rick Hanlon says Lythall was a driving force behind the foundation of AFL Cape York House in 2003.

“She has a huge background in volunteering for a number of different sports around the Cairns community,” Hanlon said.

“It is not just through AFL Cairns and AFL Cape York House.

“Del has a long and successful background with female softball in North Queensland too.”

Lythall remembers the first AFL game in the Far North, Essendon playing against the Brisbane Lions in 1993, and says it is rewarding working in the field.

“You can really see the rewards coming out of the AFL Cape York House program since it started,” Lythall said.

“The smiles on the kids faces, it is very rewarding.

“It is great to see them going where they are heading in the right direction.

“You see them growing up and changing as kids.

“There is a big change in the kid’s life.”

Lythall is a life member of the AFL Cairns Juniors and received an award, a Queensland Softball Association Service Award and a Life Member of Cairns and District Softball Association in 1999.

She was also awarded a Softball Australia Service Award in 2003.

Del Lythall

1972 — 1999 — Working in Womens Softball in North Queensland

1989 — 2000 — Commenced working with AFL Cairns in as receptionist

2000 — 2006 — Moved to the position as Secretary/Manager of AFL Cairns Juniors

2006 — now — AFL Cape York House administration manager

Article courtesy of Jordan Gerrans The Cairns Post