TIGERS CLUB NEWS ARCHIVE

TIGERS NEWS June 2006
MUIR MEDAL

The Inaugural Muir Medal has been won by Ainslie Football Clubs newest recruit in Stafford Cooper. It was presented at the conclusion of last Sundays clash between the Tigers and the Kangaroos at the Margaret Donoghoe Sportsground. The Medal was voted upon by representative of both Clubs.

This Medal has been struck to recognise the significant contribution to the Queanbeyan Tigers Club and the Ainslie Football Club of Alan and Ian Muir to their respective organisations. They are recognised as the only father / son combination to have played 200 1st Grade Games albeit for different clubs.

Cooper joined the Kangaroos after a distinguished career with the Tuggeranong Hawks at which he won the AFL Canberra Mulrooney Medal.

Pictured Stafford Cooper responding after receiving the Muir Medal from Ainslie Club President Ian Muir.

The following is a resume of their achievements:

ALAN MUIR – The History of a Famous Tiger

The Terrace Bistro in the Tigers Licensed Club has been named the Alan Muir Room. This after the Clubs longest serving stalwart.

Alan was the Clubs 1st grade games record holder for 31 years with a total of 225 games. He commenced his playing career in 1947 and played in three successive Intermediate Premiership teams – 1947, 1948 and 1949 before graduating into the Tigers senior grade teams.

He played in six 1st Grade Grand Finals including the 1953, 1954 and 1956 Premiership teams and represented the ACT for over a decade mainly in his preferred centre half back position.

He held many positions as a club official in his 60 years of involvement including the following:

• President – 1951
• Secretary 1959 – 1961
• Senior Vice President – 1981
• Publicity Officer – 1950, 1957 – 1961, 1984 – 2005
• Member of Building Committee – 1978 – 1980
• ACTAFL, AFL Canberra Tribunal Delegate – 1985 – 2005

His long association with Australian Football in Canberra and with the Tigers Club in particular has been recognised by the following:

• Admitted to the Tigers 100 Club – 1982
• Admitted to the ACTAFL 200 Club – 1982
• Awarded QTAFL Life Membership – 1985
• Awarded QTAFC Merit Award – 1987
• Inducted into the Tigers Wall of Fame – 1987
• Awarded ACTAFL Media Award - 1999
• Received the Australian Sports Medal - 2000
• Inducted to the ACT Sports Hall of Fame – 2000
• The Tigers Under 18 Grade Best & Fairest became known as the Alan Muir Medal - 2001
• Received Recognition for 50 Years Service from the AFL - 2002

Alan Muir was a gentleman in the true sense of the word; a loyal club person and devoted football follower. Alan’s vast knowledge of our great game and that of the Tigers Club was unsurpassed. His passing in February of 2006 has left the Tigers Club without one of its greatest and most spirited men. He is sadly missed.

Ian Muir – A Legend of the Ainslie Football Club

Ian Muir commenced playing for the Ainslie Football Club from the tender age of 5 and has remained a loyal servant of that club until retirement in his early thirties. Along the way he clocked up 201 1st Grade games and participated in 6 consecutive 1st Grade Grand Finals for an unbelievable 6 Premierships. No other AFL Canberra Club in its 83 year history has won six consecutive premierships.

He is part of history within the League records – being part of the only father / son combination to have played 200 AFL Canberra 1st Grade games along with both having represented AFL Canberra.

Like father – like son. He has not only been a tremendous contributor on the playing field (including being a “magnificent kick”) but also has been a worthy administrator for the Ainslie Football Club. This includes:

• Being a Board Member of the AFC Football Operations – 1999 – 2002
• Vice President – 2002
• Current President – elected late 2005
• Administrator of Past Players Association
• Currently a Board member of AFL Canberra

He was awarded Life Membership of the Ainslie Football Club in 1997.

Ian Muir has been and will be a tremendous acquisition to AFL Football in Canberra. His entire family including wife Linda - a current part time administrator of the AFC and children Billy, Harry and Tommy - who all play for the Ainslie FC Juniors, will carry the Muir name in AFL Canberra for many decades.

Who knows - one day, a sibling of Ian’s may venture across the border (where the air is fresher – so Alan would say), and play for the mighty Tigers.