Shannon Figallo for Team Manager of the Year in recognition of her extraordinary dedication, resilience, and commitment to our club over the past two seasons.
Shannon has taken on the role of Team Manager with little prior experience and no formal handover, navigating a steep learning curve almost entirely on her own. Despite these challenges, she has shown incredible initiative and determination, embracing the responsibility with a calm, methodical, and fiercely loyal attitude. Over the last two years, she has been instrumental in ensuring the smooth operation of our teams, from carnival logistics to member support.
Relevant Roles and Responsibilities:
Shannon serves as Team Manager for Moore Park SLSC. In this role, she is responsible for managing competition entries, ensuring compliance with SLSQ requirements, coordinating travel and logistics for carnivals, and acting as the first point of contact for competitors and their families. She is also a key liaison between officials, coaches, and athletes, often stepping in to mediate and support when challenges arise.
Positive Attitude and Supportive Behaviour:
Shannon leads by example. She maintains a consistently positive, can-do attitude even in stressful situations, models calm under pressure, and is generous with her time and support. She is well-respected by both parents and athletes for her honesty, fairness, and willingness to go the extra mile—no matter the cost to her personal comfort or time.
For her Herculean effort, relentless work ethic, and deep care for our club and its members, Shannon Figallo is a truly deserving nominee for Team Manager of the Year.
Have they had to overcome any challenges to make a difference or achieve success?
Absolutely. Shannon has managed this demanding volunteer role while raising four energetic boys and supporting her husband, who is also deeply involved in the club. Balancing family life with the high-pressure demands of Team Manager is no small feat, yet Shannon has approached both roles with unwavering commitment. Last season, the stress and sheer volume of responsibility took a toll on her health, culminating in a painful case of shingles. Despite this, she never stepped back from her duties. Instead, she continued to lead and support our team with quiet strength and determination, never once seeking recognition or sympathy.
What’s more, Shannon has often been seen fulfilling her Team Manager duties while wearing a moon boot due to a foot injury—another clear example of her stubborn resolve to keep going, broken foot or not. Her tenacity, loyalty, and refusal to let setbacks stop her are qualities that have not only inspired those around her but ensured the continued success and stability of our club’s team operations.
Shannon’s impact has been immense, especially in a small club like ours where every volunteer counts. Quite simply, without Shannon, there would be no carnivals for our kids. No one else has been able to take on the scale and responsibility of her role, and her dedication has ensured that our young athletes continue to have the opportunity to compete, grow, and represent our club with pride.
Beyond the logistics and behind-the-scenes work, Shannon inspires through action. When our Nippers and young competitors see her walking the beach in a moon boot—still organising, still showing up—it sends a powerful message: never give up. Her quiet resilience and “get it done” attitude set an example not just for other volunteers, but for the children she supports. She embodies the spirit of perseverance and loyalty that lies at the heart of surf lifesaving.
