REPRESENTATIVES from the NRL paid a surprise visit to Nambucca Heads this week to acknowledge Mr Geoff Batten, the Nambucca Roosters Under 18s Coach.

This year the NRL and Westpac launched the Community Master Coach program, which aims to acknowledge and reward coaches who have demonstrated extensive commitment to community rugby league, making significant contributions to the game at a grassroots level and have had a significant positive impact in the lives of many rugby league participants and families.

Geoff Batten is one of only three coaches nationally to be recognised in the program’s inaugural year.

“The idea is that you don’t have to be an aspirational representative coach, to be recognised as a ‘good’ coach in the game,” the NRL’s Education Development Manager, Mr Ross Antoniolli, told News Of The Area.

“This program aims to open up an opportunity for the game to recognise all of the community rugby league coaches who are facilitating positive rugby league experiences all over the country.”

In addition to currently coaching at the Nambucca Roosters, Geoff Batten has a background in coaching at the representative level and has many years of experience as a first grade player and coach to draw from.

President of the Nambucca Roosters RLFC, Peter Bellden told News Of The Area, “We are very proud that Geoff has been recognised in this way and, seeing the work he does with young people involved in the great game of rugby league, we know how deserving he is of this accolade.”

The first Geoff knew of this award was when the NRL’s Ross Antoniolli arrived at Coronation Park on Tuesday night during training.

A humble Geoff Batten told News Of The Area, “I feel very honoured and grateful to receive this type of recognition but frankly I am still in a bit of shock.”

Geoff will be formally presented with the award in Sydney during this year’s State of Origin series.

By Mick BIRTLES