Tackle Your Feelings is delighted to share that David Diamond from Morningside Football Club in Queensland has been named the winner of the 2026 Tackle Your Feelings Community Champion award – the first national winner from Queensland in the award’s history.
David has been the driving force behind Morningside’s “Siders For Life” program, a community-focused initiative designed to foster wellbeing, connection and performance across the club. Under his leadership, the program has grown into one of Queensland football’s most respected club welfare initiatives, connecting players, coaches, officials and members with a trusted support network.
He has championed Tackle Your Feelings at Morningside, led workshops across the club, built “Siders For Life” into a lasting support structure, and sustained that commitment for over a decade in various roles. In doing so, the judging panel felt David has created a legacy that reaches well beyond football.
That impact showed up clearly this year, with more than 130 Morningside men’s and women’s players, coaches and officials attending TYF sessions across two nights — a strong turnout that reflects the trust David has built at the club. He has also personally mentored key player leaders, including Dylan D’Roza and Kahla McKinless, equipping them to be safe, approachable connection points for teammates to start conversations, and, where needed, access deeper support through “Siders For Life.”
Although he couldn’t be there in person on the night, David was recognised at AFL Queensland’s Grogan/Zielke Medal Awards Night at the Gabba on Sunday night, with Kahla accepting the trophy on his behalf, presented by Tackle Your Feelings’ Emma Humphries.
We would also like to congratulate our 2026 state award winners: Amelia Desmond (Victoria), Phillip Bigg (South Australia) and Darcy Rudd (Western Australia).
TYF Community Champion National Award Winners
2023 – Karen McColl (South Australia)
2024 – Jessica Case (Victoria)
2025 – Cameron Price (Western Australia)
2026 – David Diamond (Queensland)