21 June 2018
COMMUNITY SPORT’S FINEST CELEBRATED TO SELL OUT CROWD
Sport NSW held the annual NSW Community Sports Awards at NSW Parliament House on Thursday 21 June, celebrating the extraordinary contributions made to community sport in NSW before a capacity crowd.
The event was hosted by the Minister for Sport, the Hon. Stuart Ayres MP, who congratulated the finalists and addressed the audience about the important role sport plays in the lives of residents across NSW.
“Sport brings communities together and assists in the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles. With a rich history of high performance success as well as a strong community sporting culture, sport makes up much of the social and economic fabric of our great state.” Minister Ayres said.
“For many, the local sporting club is more than just a game of rugby, football or netball, it is a community filled with passionate volunteers and lifelong friends. Sport can become a place to meet new people, share passion and embody a sense of community. It can also become a place to gain valuable life skills and work experience.
“Community sport relies on our volunteers, who are responsible for much of the smooth running and operations of the sporting sector. Quite simply – we could not function without them.”
Over 500,000 people in NSW volunteer their time every year to ensure that our state’s sporting participants can take the field each week. In NSW alone the value of that voluntary labour would be measured in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
This year the 2018 NSW Community Sports Awards named winners across nine categories, highlighting contributions made in coaching, officiating, and by teams, events and clubs. A diverse range of sports were represented on the night, from Australian Rules, Cricket and Football to Squash, Judo and Dragon Boats. The night also paid homage to 23 Distinguished Long Service recipients for those that have given exceptional long service to their sport. Award winners and finalists traveled from as far away as Gunnedah, Cootamundra and Tamworth to attend.
In paying tribute to the finalists and winners Sport NSW Chairperson Joseph La Posta also paid tribute to the role sport and its volunteers play in promoting inclusiveness in the community.
“Community sport brings together people of all cultures, abilities and backgrounds in a shared sense of inclusion, community and belonging. There are over 2.5 million participants in sport and active recreation in NSW, none of which would be able to enjoy the activities they love without an army of enthusiastic volunteer officials, coaches, and administrators behind the scenes.”
The Parliament House event attracted over 280 people with representatives from government and sports across the state in attendance to congratulate the finalists and award recipients.
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2018 Sport NSW Community Sports Awards Winners Summaries and Distinguished Long Service Award Recipients
YOUNG OFFICIAL
Stephen Blume - Australian Football - Cardiff Heights
Stephen umpires at senior level in the Black Diamond AFL competition and is considered one of the top five umpires in the league. He has umpired major competitions such as Swans v Giants U18s, Women’s Representative Matches and the Black Diamond Grand Final. Stephen assists in mentoring and developing junior officials on a Sunday and passes on his love and knowledge of the game to all new umpires.
COMMUNITY OFFICIAL
Cherry Smith - Swimming - Panania
Cherry officiated at the 2017 Australian Short Course Swimming Championships, the 2018 Australian Swimming Championships and was the only Australian Swimming Referee at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Cherry was also the Mentor Official at the Short Course Championships, assisting and educating the other NSW Officials in attendance. She regularly travels to regional areas of NSW to assist in the educating and training of new Technical Officials.
YOUNG COACH - JOINT WINNERS
Matthew Beach – Softball - Glenmore Park
Matthew coached the NSW Metro Team in the Blacktown Junior International Challenge, finishing an impressive fourth against teams from Japan and New Zealand. He was assistant coach of the NSW Metro Team in the Australian U15s, who finished third. Matthew coaches a number of successful Penrith Junior Representative and Club teams, and the Ladies Over 35’s while also giving his time freely at coaching clinics and camps.
YOUNG COACH - JOINT WINNERS
Chanelle Hosken - Dragon Boats – Peakhurst
Chanelle has coached at beginner, club, State and National levels and coached the Junior Squad of 40 students to victory at the National Championship during her HSC year, into her first year of University. As well as coaching, managing and coordinating training, Chanelle set weekly individual fitness goals for her paddlers which led to major improvements in the team as a whole.
COMMUNITY COACH
Laura Brienesse - Wheelchair Sports - Putney
Laura has coached athletes competing at national and international competitions in wheelchair sports winning multiple championships. She is an integral part of the coaching team for the Wheelchair Sports NSW Track & Road Development group where she is a key driver for athletes. With a focus on inclusion, she motivates and encourages participants of all ages and experience levels.
COMMUNITY SPORT ADMINISTRATOR - JOINT WINNERS
Stuart Farnell - Australian Football - Oatley
Stuart oversees the corporate and community side of the Camden Cats football club. He has been responsible for a significant improvement in the club’s financial viability and played a key role in the club's successful submission for elevation to Premier Division in 2018. Stuart was the driver of the successful Domestic Violence Charity Dinner which saw $28,000 raised and he also coaches the Cats Division 2 team.
COMMUNITY SPORT ADMINISTRATOR - JOINT WINNERS
Christine Halpin – Softball – Thornton
Christine is Strikers Softball Club President and Newcastle District Softball Association Chairperson, bringing financial stability and increased membership to both in the last three years. Newcastle District Softball Association has been named Softball NSW Country Affiliate of the Year twice under Christine's leadership. She enjoys getting her hands dirty at Stevenson Park Softball Complex and is often seen assisting and mentoring new committee members.
VOLUNTEER DIRECTOR
Graham Towle OAM – Swimming - North Rocks
In 2017 Graham was awarded an OAM for his service to swimming, which included decades as a volunteer, and years as a Director of Swimming NSW. Graham is the current President, improving governance, providing critical leadership in new markets, diversifying and increasing revenue streams and overseeing financial surpluses and membership growth under each year of his leadership. He also continues to volunteer his time at swim meets.
COMMUNITY TEAM OF THE YEAR
Wollongong Roller Hawks - Wheelchair Sports - Port Kembla
The Wollongong Roller Hawks took out their fourth National Wheelchair Basketball League title since joining the competition in 2001, outplaying their metro-based counterparts with a 16-2 win loss record. The Roller Hawks also play a leading role in the local disability community and the Illawarra with all players involved in local community disabled sport projects as well as school visits and development of the next generation of wheelchair basketballers.
COMMUNITY CLUB OF THE YEAR
Bonnet Bay FC – Football - Bonnet Bay
Bonnet Bay FC is a benchmark club well beyond just football within the Sutherland Shire. The club has developed a strong culture, facilities and personal development programs as well as achieving community engagement with local and charitable causes by establishing clear goals and volunteer resources. The club’s proportion of female players (40%) well exceeds state averages and the club environment assists coaches and managers in supporting at risk children.
COMMUNITY EVENT OF THE YEAR
PCYC NSW Nations of Origin – PCYC - Whalan
Nations of Origin provides indigenous and non-indigenous 10-21 year-olds an opportunity to represent their local traditional Aboriginal nation in Rugby League 7s, Football Fives and Netball. With no cost to participate, the event engaged over 1,000 players and volunteers through sport, cultural, education and leadership programs. Participants must meet criteria including a minimum of 80% school attendance, a commitment to training and fundraising, and endorsement by a local elder.
DISTINGUISHED LONG SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS
Ian Adams - Little Athletics – Wauchope
Shiralee Adams - Pony Club - Maitland
Margaret Bennett - Wheelchair Sports - Blue Haven
Suzanne Bergersen - Swimming - Sussex Inlet
Andrew Brand - Motor Sport - Forresters Beach
Sandra Brand - Motor Sport - Forresters Beach
James Brennan – Cricket - Mayfield
Neil Crisp – Softball - Leppington
Graham Coulton - Blind Sports - Kareela
Denise Dall – Motorcycling - Gunnedah
Pam Durie – Croquet - Toronto
Maurice “Maurie” Fuller OAM - Motor Sport - Greenhill
Robyn Fuller - Motor Sport - Greenhill
Peter Hastings QC - Australian Football - Sydney
David Mackay – Hockey - Moss Vale
Stuart Meares - Masters Swimming - Naremburn
Doreen O’Connor - Riding for the Disabled - Cootamundra
Jan Ryan - Amateur Pistol - Buff Point
Basil Slaughter – Paddle - Normanhurst
Maree Tanti - Pony Club - Mudgee
Betty Wallace - Pony Club - Wollondilly
Jeanette Watts – Swimming - Wingham
Lindal Whitton – Football - Glenwood
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18 May 2018
Sport NSW is delighted to announce the finalists for the 2018 NSW Community Sports Awards.
The winners of the awards will be revealed at a special ceremony in the Strangers' Room of NSW Parliament House, at 6.00pm on Thursday 21 June 2018.
The presentation ceremony is hosted by the Hon. Stuart Ayres MP, Minister for Sport, and the Minister will also present the 23 recipients of the Sport NSW Distinguished Long Service Award with special recognition for their exceptional service to sport.
The NSW Community Sports Awards are focused on community and grass roots sport, recognising the contributions largely carried out by a volunteer workforce. These awards provide State Sporting Organisations and State Sporting Organisations with a Disability an opportunity to recognise the efforts and achievements their dedicated volunteers deliver across NSW every day.
In 2018, volunteers will be recognised across nine categories:
• Community Official of the Year
• Young Official of the Year
• Community Coach of the Year
• Young Coach of the Year
• Community Sport Administrator of the Year
• Volunteer Director of the Year
• Community Team of the Year
• Community Club of the Year
• Community Event of the Year
Download the Award Guidelines to see the Conditions of Entry and Criteria for the Awards.