A former and AFL player and co-founder of a motor neurone disease (MND) research charity has been named as the recipient of one of Victoria's top sporting honours.
Neale Daniher will receive the Victorian Sport Award for his outstanding contribution and achievements.
Mr Daniher made a name for himself playing for Essendon from the late 1970s to 1990 before going on to coach the Melbourne Football Club for almost a decade.
The veteran footballer was diagnosed with MND – a rare condition that progressively worsens the nervous system – in 2013 and went public with the news the following year.
His daughter, Bec Daniher, told ABC Radio Melbourne the accolade reflected her father's achievements on and off the field.
"The award [recognises] how he's utilised that amazing platform that sport is to continue to generate awareness of the beast of a disease that is MND," she said.
"I had a look at the list of people that have received it before him, and what a list that is — it's very impressive."
'So humbled'
Mr Daniher will accept the award in person in June, and while he "won't be able to give a big speech", he will be supported by his wife.
"My mum is going to be right by his side like she always is," Ms Daniher said.
"We're so humbled to receive this recognition.
"Dad, for all his blustering and his strong personality, he's quite a modest person.
"He never expects any of theses things that come his way, so he's very thankful that it's been recognised."
Ms Daniher said when her father was diagnosed he was given a prognosis of 27 months to live.
She said she was grateful her father was "still by her side" and pushing to find a cure.
"He has absolutely amazed me," Ms Daniher said.
"I recall in our second year [him saying], 'We're going to raise $40 million' — I thought that was insane."
She said they would have been "stoked" to reach more than $2m through FightMND.
"And here we are 10 years on and we've been able to invest $70m into research," Ms Daniher said.
She said her father's determination was something that inspired her every day.
"Despite all the challenges he has with his body, he's so sharp," Ms Daniher said.
"He pushes us every day."
