Volunteers at Community Sport honoured at prestigious NSW Community Sports Awards

Sport NSW announced 12 Community Sports Award category winners and honoured 23 men and women with a Distinguished Long Service Award at the 2023 Sports Foyer NSW Community Sports Awards last night.

Conducted at CommBank Stadium, the presentation evening saw recipients from a wide cross-section of sports receive their Awards from the Hon. Stephen Kamper, NSW Minister for Sport.

The Community Sports Awards and the Distinguished Long Service Awards acknowledge outstanding achievements and contributions to community sport.

This years Awards also saw the introduction of two new Awards, the Inclusion Award and the Innovation Award.

The 12 Community Sports Award were shared among nine different sports with Royal Life Saving, Cricket, Surf Life Saving  and Gymnastics each collecting two Awards.

Sport NSW Chairperson, Chris Hall paid tribute to Award recipients.

“It is fitting these community sports recipients are recognised and honoured. It is because of their efforts that NSW remains the premier sports state in Australia,” said Mr Hall.

“Sport in NSW relies on these selfless volunteers who have dedicated their time to community sport. Put simply, sport would not exist without them.

“Their enduring contributions showcases why community sport is the beating heart of community sport in NSW and we thank all staff and volunteers for their exceptional dedication,” said Mr Hall.

For any enquiries regarding the NSW Community Sports Awards - please contact info@sportnsw.com.au. 

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2023 Sport NSW Community Sports Awards Category Winners 

COMMUNITY OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR

Rozlynn Grey OAM - Royal LIfe Saving

YOUNG OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR

Fiorella Collins - Little Athletics

In her first season of volunteer youth officiating, Fiorella has worked her way beginning with local competitions to then State competitions—Athletics NSW and Little Athletics NSW—to then being selected at National Competitions—Little Athletics Australia and Athletics Australia. She has now officiated at all three National competitions available in a normal summer season and is recognised and respected amongst her peers. An injury forced her out of competing, but she was able to channel her passion for athletics into officiating, which allows her to help other athletes feel safe and encouraged during competition.

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COMMUNITY COACH OF THE YEAR

Amber Cross - Netball 

Amber is the experienced and exciting head coach of the 17 and Under team at the Netball Australia Underage National Championships. Her successful nationals campaign led to her appointment as the head coach of the Elite Athlete Program, and she also works as the head coach of the Open’s Central Coast Heart Premier League team in the NSW Netball Premier League. She recently led 7 of her athletes to becoming nationally identified for Australian Camps at the Australian Institute of Sport. Her great rapport with athletes allows her to cultivate a fantastic team culture that brings out the best in all the athletes she works with

YOUNG COACH OF THE YEAR

Elysa Oliveri - Cricket

Elysa was involved in volunteering and coaching young children within the Blowfly Cricket Club and the project managing of a school fundraiser event for the NSW Blind Cricket team, the McGrath Foundation, and the official opening of the Pennant Hills High School cricket nets. Elysa’s coaching at Thornleigh Cricket Club has had an immediate impact with the team, in particular the young girls in the team. Her involvement with the Blowfly Cricket Club initiated her proposal to the Founder and Treasurer of Blowfly Cricket to run programs through Public Schools. This resulted in the introduction of a 4-week pilot program that was successfully run at Asquith Primary School

COMMUNITY SPORT ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR

Andrew Bowden - Royal Life Saving

As Chairman of Royal Life Saving NSW Club and Competition Committee, NSW Member on the Royal Life Saving Australia National Sports Committee and Assistant Coach of the NSW & Australian Lifesaving teams, Andrew has contributed his extensive knowledge and coaching experience to the sport for many years. He has given back to the sport at the grassroots level and heavily supported and assisted in the amalgamation of RLSNSW and SLSNSW in the creation of a jointly hosted NSW Pool Lifesaving Championships. He also co-hosted two National Coaching and Athlete Development workshops, where he provided unmatched support, knowledge, and advice to up-and-coming coaches

VOLUNTEER DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

Amanda Fraser - Cricket

Amanda is an outstanding female volunteer in the Hornsby Ku Ring Gai & Hills District Cricket Association, and she took over Presidency of Glenorie District CC this season. Her two main objectives were to increase of female participation in the association and in the committee and to increase the number of women playing cricket in the community, both of which were successful. She has promoted several free girls’ programs and initiatives at local schools, which have generated more female registration. Her new committee focuses on inclusion, diversity and community, all ideal which promote sustainable growth of the sport and their programs.

COMMUNITY CLUB OF THE YEAR

Hills Hornets Touch Football Association

The Hill Hornets Touch Football Association have dedicated themselves to not only athletic success but also organisational and community success. They were crowned back-to-back Club Champions in their Southern Junior Conference. This year’s community initiative was supporting the local Rotary Castle Hill Fun Run at Belle Vista Farm. The club dedicated resources and equipment to help raise funds for the charity organisation. Their newly created Sri Lankan and Indian teams competing in S1 competition are their first step into the multicultural sphere, with further expansion planned this year. Additionally, their use of their polished and multi-functional website allows them to generate traction and awareness from potential partners

COMMUNITY EVENT OF THE YEAR

Gymnastics NSW Country Championships - Gymnastics

The annual Gymnastics NSW Country Championships in 2022 attracted around 1000 athletes from over 40 clubs and towns across NSW. The event featured six different gymnastics sports and caters towards athletes of all skill levels. In addition to the competition, the event offers educational opportunities for athletes, coaches, and judges to learn and develop their skills. The Country Championships also featured the Special Olympics Division, for athletes with additional needs to compete in their chosen gymsport, the TeamGym event, which has no age, ability or gender boundaries for participants, and Freestyle Gymnastics, which attracts male participants to the sport.

LOCAL COUNCIL OF THE YEAR

Blacktown City Council

Blacktown City Council is dedicated to delivering as many new sports and recreation facilities as possible to their local community. One such facility is the Blacktown Exercise Sports and Technology Hub, opening in June 2023, which is aimed at delivering research, health, rehabilitation and performance outcomes to the local community and helping to develop local athletes. The council has also established the ‘More Active, More Often’ initiative, promoting sporting club growth and encouraging people to be active and healthy. Diversity and inclusion are important values within the council, and they have supported and promoted several facilities, events and initiatives aimed at accessibility for all members of the community.

COMMUNITY TEAM OF THE YEAR - joint winners

North Cronulla Open Womens Beach Relay Team - Surf Life Saving

The North Cronulla Open Women’s Beach Relay Team showed incredible success in 2022 with their outstanding gold at Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships. This win makes them back-to-back champions at the event, a feat which only one other open women’s beach relay team has accomplished. Alongside individual awards, the team were awarded Surf Sports Team of the Year at SLSNSW Awards of Excellence 2022, and they were selected to represent NSW teams at the Super Surf League Teams. All four members are excellent role models to younger members of the club, and they actively support each other and their club in any way that they can.

Equestrian NSW State Interschool Team - Equestrian

At the National Interschool Equestrian Championships in September 2022, The NSW Interschool Equestrian Team won Champion Overall Team, Champion Eventing Team and Champion Show Horse Team awards. In addition to their team placements, the team had 94 individual top ten placings across all disciplines. Much of the organising, communicating, leading and supporting of riders was done by the Team Captains, who led the team in their professionalism and sportsmanship throughout the event. Their leadership also led to the development of ENSW Future Leaders program, aimed at mentoring young athletes to develop as officials and coaches in the sport.

INCLUSION ACHIEVEMENT OF THE YEAR - Joint winners

Gymastics NSW

Gymnastics NSW implemented an ambitious plan to improve the visibility of LGBTQ athletes and awareness across the broader community. Beginning with the appointment of LGBTQ Ambassadors, Gymnastics NSW built connections with existing LGBTQ community members within the sport and created a campaign of visible events to encourage further participation. Gymnastics NSW partnered with Sylvia P Leotards to create a charity Pride Line, allowing the entire gymnastics community to celebrate equality, in addition to launching a new inclusive uniform policy, creating greater opportunity for individuality and personal comfort while in competition. Since the addition of these policies and initiatives, there has been an increase in queer and non-binary athletes, particularly in Rhythmic Gymnastics

Pasifica Youth Cup - Rugby Union

The Pasifica Youth Cup was a carnival designed as a vehicle to celebrate the culture, influence and inclusion of the Pacific Nations within junior rugby in NSW. The two-day carnival included an opening ceremony where each nation was able to perform a cultural performance and there were also opportunities to have Hakas before the finals games. The event also aimed to shed light on the issue of mental health in these communities, using rugby as a vehicle for engagement and education. Many of these young players have begun to play rugby as their main sport following the carnival.

INNOVATION OF THE YEAR

Live Heats - Surf Life Saving

The LiveHeats platform has helped Surf Life Saving NSW organise and run 78 complex events this year, with over 20,000 members using the platform. The platform saves time and effort by providing real time updates and results to athletes, team managers, spectators and commentators. The system also provides insights such as ‘most races’ to athletes and clubs during carnivals, and athletes are given the opportunity to track their data over the season for overall statistics. Parents, friends and family can follow events and competitors live from anywhere in the world, which broadens the sport’s reach and engagement with the sport

Distinguished Long Service Award Recipients 

Bill Anderson - Cricket

Bill has been a long-time volunteer with his local cricket community—23 continuous seasons with Randwick Petersham Cricket Club, and previously over 50 years with the Petersham Merrick DCC. As a driving force in the establishment of the Usman Khawaja Foundation assisting disadvantaged multicultural youth in assimilation into the local community, as well as Randwick Petersham’s Cricket4Community charitable program, Bill has proven himself to be a selfless coach and mentor to a great many in the cricket, sporting, and educational community. 

David Archbold - Athletics

Since his teens, David has been involved with UTS Norths Athletics Club, serving both as Vice-President and President for 16 years. In this time, he also worked as the editor and publisher of the club’s newsletter, helped the club with improvements to its amplification system, and aided the club in becoming incorporated. He also drives the West Metropolitan Cross Country series by preparing courses, liaising with councils, and communicating with the involved clubs. Even when the event faced significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dave devised new organisation methods to ensure that the event could still take place safely.

Chris Baker - Motorcycling

Chris grew up around motorcycling and has been involved in the sport practically his entire life. Since the 1970’s, he has been a member of the St. George Motorcycle Club, he served as President of the club for 11 years in addition to other official positions, and he has been awarded Life Membership for his contributions. He is highly awarded for his work within the sport, and is well-regarded among riders, officials, and administrators at all levels as a phenomenal ambassador for the sport. Since junior road racing began in NSW in 2015, he has also helped and guided junior competitors.

Margaret Beaumont - Basketball

As a long-standing member of the Moss Vale Basketball Association, Margaret has been a player, a member of multiple committees, and as secretary on the board—a position she still holds today. Outside of Moss Vale Basketball, she has also assisted the sport as a whole, with the development of the Barrengarry Conference and NSW Country Basketball, and she has been involved in many development tours and team state programs

Terry Bluett - Orienteering

Throughout his 37 years of dedication to the sport of orienteering, Terry has actively supported both newcomers and experienced orienteers in their success and enjoyment of the sport and their connection with its community. He is the longest-serving president of Bennelong Northside Orienteers with 17 years of service, and he has been recognised twice as the NSW Course Setter of the Year. Since 1986, he has made over 50 of the maps used by orienteers in Sydney or NSW—from school maps to technical championship maps. Between his leadership and his behind-the-scenes work, Terry is an indispensable member of his orienteering community.

Larry Brown - Deaf Netball

Larry has been a prominent contributor to the Deaf Netball Community since he became involved as an umpire with Campbelltown Deaf Netball Club in the 1980s and later an umpire with the Paramatta Auburn Netball Association. He has also umpired at the National Deaf Netball Championships and Australian Deaf Games for over 25 years. As the president and treasurer of Deaf Netball Australia and a committee member and chairperson of Deaf Netball Australia, Larry has set up NSW netball teams for participation in the National Deaf Netball Championships and Australian Deaf Games. He has also led workshops encouraging netball involvement among the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities.

Eli Dememy - Sailability

Eli has been a member of the Sailability NSW Manly branch for over 25 years, serving as the main fundraiser and volunteer coordinator for many of those years. She has also served on the Sailability NSW Board for over a decade as the Volunteers Coordinator and the Working with Children Coordinator. In addition, she has worked—sometimes independently—to produce both the Sailability NSW and Sailability Manly branch newsletters

Dereck Fineberg - LIttle Athletics

Dereck has 43 years and counting of service to little athletics. He has served as President for Blacktown Little Athletics Centre and President of the Little Athletics NSW Board of Management, and he has served on the resource and risk management committees for the Board of Management as well. In addition, was President of Little Athletics NSW before stepping up as Little Athletics Australia President in 2012. Blacktown Little Athletics Centre, Little Athletics NSW, and Little Athletics Australia have awarded him Life Membership, and he was awarded OAM in 2006 for his contributions to little athletics.

Margaret and Allan Gregson - Swimming

After their son was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, Allan and Margaret dedicated themselves to volunteering with a local sporting association for disabled children. From there, they helped form Cerebral Palsy Sports & Recreation NSW, which offers athletic opportunities to people with Cerebral Palsy. Following the creation of the Cerebral Palsy Australian Sports & Recreation Federation, Allan has worked as a volunteer swimming classifier and Margaret has organised these classifications. They have received Order of Australia Medals for their service to people with disabilities, particularly in sports and athletics.

Terry Hellyer - Archery

In his over 45-year involvement with archery, Terry has proven to be a true journeyman in sport. He has volunteered with Liverpool City Archers Club for many years, supporting athletes in their technique and equipment with only the desire to see them succeed. He arrives early to set up tournaments and stays late to pack up long after the competition has ended, and he spends time cutting the grass, repairing targets, and improving facilities around the club. His honesty, integrity, and wholehearted love of archery make him a beloved member of his club and the archery community.

Anita Keelan - Netball

Anita has built extensive coaching experience over 32 years in the netball community. She has worked with her local Eastwood Ryde association, has served as NSW Swifts assistant coach, and currently works as ERNA Hawks Opens Premier League Coach. In her years of coaching and mentoring, she has helped develop and support many up-and-coming players, as well as players aiming to become coaches and umpires. She has been the recipient of the Netball NSW Waratah Service award for her distinguished service to the sport and the Margaret Corbett OAM Coaches award for her excellence in coaching.

Gerry Knights - South West Sydney Academy of Sport

As the current CEO of the South West Sydney Academy of Sport, Gerry has led a number of significant changes within the Academy. He introduced a Harold Matthews Rugby League team and hosted a representative team in the NSWRL Competition. His leadership has led the Academy to focus on the development of athletes focused on competing with others, rather than against others. Outside of his development of athletes, he also develops his staff, ensuring that several of his program managers, coaches, and support staff go on to hold high positions in the greater sporting community.

Jillian Long - Hockey

Jillian has spent four decades contributing to Bathurst Hockey, as a coach, an administrator, a player, and an umpire. She has held positions as President, Secretary, and Vice President with Bathurst Women’s Hockey, Bathurst Junior Girls, and Bathurst Hockey association. Her umpiring experience at grand finals in Mudgee, Lithgow, Parkes, and Goulburn make her an excellent teacher at her umpiring workshops. She was also instrumental in the organisation of the Central West Premier League and the formation of Bathurst City Premier League Team. Outside of her official roles, she works behind the scenes to clean, organise, and lend a helping hand at events.

Mike Mackney - Paddle

Since 1987, Mike has been the Club President and handicapper for the Bonville Creek Kayak Club. He is known for his dedication, showing up regardless of weather. Beyond maintaining records, recording courses and times, and calculating handicaps, he also sends an email giving full details of the paddle after it ends, with notes on weather, tide flow, and paddlers’ performances. His encouragement and training throughout his 36 years of service make him a beloved and indispensable member of the club.

Ian Matthew - Touch Football

As the State Director of the referee arm of touch football, Ian has had an immeasurable impact on the referee community around the world. He has been the NSWTA Technical Director for over two decades, in addition to being the elected Director of the NSWTA Board for the past 22 years. He is a life member of the NSW Touch Association, Touch Football Australia, and Federation of International Touch. He constantly reviews policy to ensure that the referee arm of the sport is given the best chance at success, and he has been a leader in the development of new referee coaching techniques.

Gwyn Mulholland - Motorsport

Gwyn has had a lifetime of devotion to motorsport, both as a competitor and an official. He has held many roles on the state council and state advisory panels for Motorsport Australia in NSW, as well as membership on Motorsport Australia NSW/ACT’s State Council, State Executive, Rally Panel, and currently the Hillclimb Panel. As a steward, he has served terms as Series Steward for State Hillclimb, State Rallysprint, and State Khanacross. Beyond this, he has travelled throughout the state to assist and provide advice to grassroots clubs.

Angelo Santangelo - Fencing

Angelo has held the highest qualification in world fencing—Maestro at Arms—since he earned this title at 19 years of age, as the then youngest person in the world to achieve this status. Beyond his highly decorated competitive career, he is an internationally qualified referee, a member of the Australian High Performance coaching team, and a coach at fencing camps at the NSW Fencing Centre. He works to ensure that his students understand the traditional values of fencing—courtesy and respect for other fencers, officials, and referees. His contributions have made him a well-known and highly respected member of the Australian and NSW fencing communities.

Bernadette (Bernie) Spedding - Gymnastics

Bernie has established herself as an instrumental force in the development of TeamGym, one of Australia’s fastest-growing gymnastics styles which has no age, gender, or ability boundaries. To this day, she leads by example and performs with her teams. From a volunteer helping to pioneer the sport in 2012 to the National TeamGym coordinator in 2016, Bernie has been a key driver in growing and promoting the program. Recently, she has led workshops and classes promoting the Fitter for Life program of Gymnastics for Older Adults. Within her Regional Network, she held the highly regarded volunteer positions of Outer City Regional Supervisor and Treasurer for nearly two decades.

Barbara and Kevin Weimer - Tennis

With their establishment of the Bolton Point Tennis Club in 1977, Barbara and Kevin began an extraordinary journey of service and commitment to their local community that has significantly benefited Bolton Point and its surrounding area. With Kevin as Club President and Barbara serving on the general committee and now as Secretary, they have facilitated the development of community members as players and as staff. They have greatly improved their facilities over the years and continue to operate an agile committee with younger members taking charge of activities such as social media management.

Steve Woodger - Football

In over three decades with the Mayfield United Junior Soccer Football Club, Steve has filled several important roles within the organisation. As the groundsman for four full-sized pitches, he works to ensure that players and coaches have the best facilities possible. He is the manager of the club’s zone league men’s teams, and on game days he fills the role of duty officer or match day coordinator, assisting teams with match day cards. A leader by example, he does anything that is needed to support the club, the sport, and the people around him.

Maureen Worth - Surf LIfe Saving

Maureen has demonstrated incredible service and dedication to Surf Life Saving since she joined North Narrabeen Surf Life Saving Club in 1975. Over the years, she has been honoured as a Life Member of North Narrabeen SLSC and of Sydney Northern Beaches Branch, as well as a State Life Member. She has been granted the 40 Year Long Service Award, and recently the 40+ Years of Services Award at the 2023 State Championships. Outside of her official involvement, her leadership and values of positivity and respect have allowed members of her community to flourish.