2025 NSW Community Sport Awards winners announced
Published Mon 30 Jun 2025
NSW Community Sports Award winners announced
The winners of the 2025 NSW Community Sports Awards, presented by Sport NSW, were announced at CommBank Stadium tonight.
The Awards recognise outstanding achievements and contributions to community sport in NSW over the past year which is largely conducted by a volunteer workforce.
The 12 category recipients received their Awards at the ceremony hosted by Sport NSW and supported by the NSW Government with the NSW Minister for Sport, the Hon. Steve Kamper MP and the Hon. Jodie Harrison MP, Minister responsible for volunteering in attendance.
Sport NSW Chairperson, Chris Hall, congratulated the Award winners and paid tribute to all finalists.
“The NSW Community Sports Awards are the highest honours for community and grassroots sport in the state,” said Mr Hall.
“Sport lays at the heart of communities across NSW. It is where life-long friendships are formed, team-work is developed, and successes are celebrated.
“It is fitting these Award recipients and finalists are recognised and honoured and we congratulate them for their extraordinary service to sport and to their communities,” added Mr Hall.
“Without these hard-working, selfless volunteers, tens of thousands of sports participants would not be able to enjoy the health, social and community benefits sport provides.
“Unquestionably, these volunteers provide the backbone of sport for others to compete and enjoy.
“Their leadership, enthusiasm and inspiration will help motivate the next generation of volunteers,” added Mr Hall.
The Awards evening also celebrated 19 recipients of Distinguished Long Service Awards.
These Awards honoured individuals across a broad range of sports who have given exceptional service to their sport over a period of decades.
2025 Community Sports Awards Winners
NSW Dept.Communities and Justice COMMUNITY CLUB OF THE YEAR
Collaroy Tennis Club
Variety COMMUNITY COACH OF THE YEAR
Karley Banks - Touch Football
ACPE YOUNG COACH OF THE YEAR
Max Marsters - Touch Football
People + Culture Strategies COMMUNITY EVENT OF THE YEAR
Your Local Club Academy Games - hosted by Northern Inland Academy of Sport
Valour COMMUNITY OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR
Murray Smith - Swimming
RevolutioniseSPORT YOUNG OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR
Luke Schmude - Hockey
Sportscover COMMUNITY SPORT ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR
Liam James - Rowing
AICD VOLUNTEER DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Melinda Stewart - Gymnastics
UNSW COMMUNITY TEAM OF THE YEAR
Terrigal U17 Female Ski Relay Team - Surf Life Saving
Multicultural NSW INCLUSION ACHIEVEMENT OF THE YEAR
Chris Tucker – Rowing
Basketball NSW
WT Sports & Recognition INNOVATION OF THE YEAR
Club Standards and Benchmarking Framework - Football NSW
NSW Office of Sport LOCAL COUNCIL OF THE YEAR
Dubbo Regional Council
DISTINGUISHED LONG SERVICE HONOUREES
Kristine Agosto - Squash
Wendy Archer AM - Netball
Sue Badenoch Kinsey - Football
Alan Beveridge OAM - Surf Life Saving
Paul Cini - Touch
Sharon Cooper - Cricket
Kirsten Crocker - Athletics
Stephen Croot - Rowing
Les Friend - Equestrian
Brian Gibson - Bowls
John Goh - Rugby Union
Ian Hook - Baseball
John Hughes - Northern NSW Football
Mary (Pat) Lusty - Swimming
Walter (Wally) O'Hara OAM - Gymnastics
Leeanne Palmer - Basketball
Ian Parker - AFL
Lynn Parker - Paddle
Mark Stephenson - Ice Hockey
Further information: Greg Campbell, PRISM Strategic Communications, Ph: 0418 239 139