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Inaugural annual Local Champion Awards winners announced
Inaugural annual Local Champion Awards winners announced
Northern NSW Football was delighted to announce the inaugural annual winners of its Local Champion Awards on Friday night.
The NNSWF Local Champion Awards are a monthly recognition of individuals and teams who make a difference across the football family as we thank them for their commitment to their club, team, community and football.
The annual award winners were chosen from recipients of the monthly awards across each of the six categories, with winners recognised in front of more than 400 people at NNSWF’s Jennings Medal awards night at Newcastle Exhibition and Convention Centre.
Team of the Year Hallidays Point Sports Club All Age Women
Every successful club needs a team like Hallidays Point FC’s All Age Women’s side, who were the Team of the Month for June.
The club’s women’s team are a shining example of what community club football should be all about.
The All Age Women’s team have worked hard to create a positive culture to support their female players as well as foster a positive relationship with their young up and coming players.
This outlook has ensured everyone involved in the squad feels safe, respected and heard every time they show up to training or a game.
The team have also led the way off the field. The All Age Women’s team raised more than $1000 after participating in Ks for RUOK? last July.
The team have a strong belief in the importance of starting conversations about mental health to ensure their players are doing well off the pitch and feel comfortable making it known when they are not coping with life or anything happening in their world.
It was a conscious decision to build a certain type of culture within the team when it was born three years ago. Team captain Jess Evans said it was the best team to be part of and her teammates deserved all the recognition they could get.
Referee of the Year Matthew Hall NNSWF – Northern Inland
Northern Inland referee Matt Hall is committed to refereeing and improving his game. He is a regular first grade referee in Tamworth, a noteworthy effort given he has achieved the level in only a few seasons.
Matt, the Referee of the Month for September, undertook a Level 3 referee course to improve his knowledge.
Tamworth grew its referee numbers this year with around 20 13 to 15-year-olds and Matt, without being asked, took it on himself to start a weekly fitness and theory training session open to these young referees to help them in their first season as a match official.
Matt has introduced his three sons to refereeing and hopes to share the field with them when he can be fourth official with his sons on field.
Volunteer of the Year Tim Shackell – Pottsville Beach FC
Tim is an energetic volunteer at Pottsville Beach FC where he has roles including junior vice-president, coach, parent and player.
The Volunteer of the Month for August, Tim negotiated with Tweed Shire Council to organise a temporary home for the club when Pottsville Beach FC’s playing fields at Koala Beach were rendered unplayable following the flood that hit the Northern Rivers and Tweed regions in February and March.
Tim was instrumental in organising a semi-trailer and rallying others to move goals and other equipment to the Black Rocks facility where games were able to proceed.
Pottsville Beach FC also worked to enable dozens of fixtures to be played at Black Rocks when half of the fields across the region were unplayable.
Tim has been a quiet achiever for many years but his commitment, logistical skills and generous nature has highlighted what a champion he has been in 2022, with his efforts inspiring the broader community.
Coach of the Year Zandalea Foster – Toronto Awaba Junior FC
Zandalea is a great coach and role model for all women and girls in football. Zandalea, the Coach of the Month for July, wears her heart on her sleeve and lives and breathes football.
As well as being a coach to her under-12s team Zandalea is also a friend and protector and is always there when her players need someone to talk to.
She puts so much time and effort into each training session and goes the extra mile to get players to training and games and find alternate venues.
Winning comes second behind enjoyment, with Zandalea looking to make her players as passionate about football as she is.
Player of the Year Keeley Gardner – Coffs City United FC
Keeley was recently selected as the young member of the NNSWF Indigenous Women’s squad, playing at the Women’s State Cup at the Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility in July.
The Player of the Month for August, Keeley was one of her Coffs City United under-16s division two team’s co- captains and was nominated as the best and fairest for her team last season.
Club of the Year Southern Lakes United
Southern Lakes United FC have persevered to overcome the difficulties 2022 has presented to all football clubs.
This was exacerbated by the disappointment caused by their new facility at Cooranbong not being ready for this season.
The Club of the Month for September, Southern Lakes United has grown from 98 members in 2019 to 358 this season with room for further future growth. The club’s growth can also be somewhat measured by competition teams enjoying success in the final series.
Southern Lakes United are well managed and offer great opportunities for all players, referees and coaches.
Northern NSW Football Community Football Manager Ross Hicks congratulated the recipients and thanked them for their contribution to football in northern NSW.
“Without people like Keeley, Matt, Zandalea and Tim as well as clubs like Hallidays Point SC and Southern Lakes United we wouldn’t have a game. They make football what it is in our region,” Hicks said.
“It is their commitment to their clubs, teams and football community that make the game and improves the experience of playing football for the people around them.
“We thank them for their contribution and congratulate them on being named the inaugural NNSWF Local Champion Awards annual winners for 2022. We wish them all the very best for the 2023 season and beyond.”
Further information or to arrange interviews contact:
Andrew Parkinson
Communications Manager
Northern NSW Football
T | 02 4941 7218 M | 0421 473 009
E | aparkinson@northernnswfootball.com.au
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