Sports News

Inaugural annual Local Champion Awards winners announced

Published

2 years ago

28 October 2022

JeffG

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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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Local News

Hastings secure minor premiership

Published

1 day ago

25 July 2024

Liam

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Hastings secure minor premiership

By Gary Nichols

Hastings Valley Vikings look to have wrapped up the first-grade minor premiership with a convincing 24-12 victory over the Grafton Redmen on Saturday.

And in doing so, Grafton have slipped to fourth place on the Mid North Coast ladder, putting their chances of a home minor-semi-final in jeopardy.

Down 19-0 at the break, Hastings looked like putting the cleaners through Grafton until five-eighth Michael Wright found the line to give the Redmen fans a glimmer of hope.

However, Grafton rarely looked like they were in the contest letting themselves down with the fundamentals.

Grafton squandered a welter of possession and their line speed in defence was simply not up to scratch.

When they did control the ball, Grafton looked dangerous in attack asking plenty of questions of the Vikings’ defence.

The game was stopped midway through the second half after a scrum inside Vikings’ 20-metre zone went terribly wrong which saw Grafton Hooker Tyler Wratten-Hancock suffer a neck injury which required an ambulance to be called.

In some good news for the club, scans on his neck revealed no major damage.

For Grafton, scrum-half Jope Kurimosi and five-eighth Michael Wright both produced strong games while for Vikings, representative player Jeffery Ismail was brilliant at the back.

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Local News

Recognising our Local Sporting Champions

Published

1 day ago

25 July 2024

Liam

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Recognising our Local Sporting Champions

Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan is making sure that 44 young Northern Rivers Sporting Champions are given every opportunity to follow their dreams.

At a Local Sporting Champions Award event today, they were presented with a certificate in recognition of their achievements and confirmed their grants from the Local Sporting Champions program.

“Those who received the Awards have excelled themselves representing the Northern Rivers on the state, national and international stage,” Mr Hogan said.

“The Local Sporting Champions program provides financial assistance to young people aged between 12 and 18 years to compete, coach or umpire in their chosen sport.”

“The Northern Rivers has produced some outstanding sportspeople in the past, and it is important that we support the next crop of our local sporting talent.”

“Unfortunately succeeding in sport doesn’t just take talent and determination – parents also often have to put their hands in their pockets to get their children to competitions. I’m very pleased to be able to help these families with financial support through these grants.”

“Sport is important in the development of young people: it teaches them life-long skills like teamwork, keeps them fit and healthy, and allows them to excel in something they love and enjoy.”

“I encourage any budding champions out there who have the opportunity of competing at a state, national or international event to apply for a grant by contacting my office or checking out the website ausport.gov.au.”

Our latest Northern Rivers Sporting Champions are:

Lachlan Elphick from Goonellabah – Rugby Union
Archie Sauer from Evans Head – Rugby Union
Oliver Collings from McLeans Ridges – Rugby Union
Mikayla Frey from Nimbin – Athletics
Daniel Frey Nimbin – Athletics
Quin Fisher-Nicholls from Spring Grove – Baseball
Hannah Danforth from Lismore – Hockey
Kitty Danforth from Lismore – Hockey
Harry Hosking from Alstonville – Hockey
Ava Smith from Geneva – Netball
Jye Barlow from Lismore Heights – Basketball
Joshua Harris from Kilgra – Hockey
Josephine Payne from Eltham – Hockey
Naomi Austin from Boat Harbour – Hockey
Chloe Austin from Boat Harbour – Hockey
Ezrah Selesele from Kyogle – Touch Football
Maria Mitchell from Goonellabah – Hockey
Makailee Close from Kyogle – Touch Football
Wyatt Galvin from Kyogle – Swimming
Jade Boyle from Kyogle – Swimming
Archie Lassig from Uralba – Hockey
Jayviah Harley from Kyogle – Swimming
Lachlan Trease from Alstonville – Swimming
Sophie Alcorn from Goonellabah – Netball
Banjora Porch from Goonellabah – Rugby Union
Reggie Field from East Lismore – Rugby Union
Harry Kilburn from North Lismore – Swimming
Padraig Heffernan from Dunoon – Athletics
Clayton Wilkinson from Spring Grove – Swimming
Lilly Comber from Bexhill – Netball
Isabella Rowe from Alstonville – Netball
Talia Rowe from Alstonville – Netball
Caelan Cooper from Evans Head – Volleyball
Darcy Porch from Goonellabah – Touch Football
Evie North from Wollongbar – Touch Football
Max Venables from Goonellabah – Hockey
Chloe Keep from Shannon Brook – Netball
Jaymie-Rose Leadley from Casino – Netball
Lexi Cadman from Shannon Brook – Netball
Taylah Pederson from Casino – Netball
Alice Shields from Casino – Netball
Paiten Hampson from Greenridge – Netball
George Mitchell from Goonellabah – Hockey
Paige Dalby from Broadwater – Swimming

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Ballina News

Lismore and Ballina prepare for NSW Women’s Masters Hockey Championships

Published

1 day ago

25 July 2024

Liam

Mayor Steve Krieg and Far North Coast Hockey President Nathan Kesteven flanked by local competitors in the NSW Women's Masters Hockey Championships

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Lismore and Ballina prepare for NSW Women’s Masters Hockey Championships

Get ready for an action-packed weekend of hockey as Lismore teams up with Ballina to host the NSW Northern Division Women’s Masters Hockey Championships.

The event kicks off on Friday, 26 July and runs through to Sunday, 28 July, at the Goonellabah Hockey Centre in Hepburn Park and the Ballina Hockey Centre.

Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg said the collaboration between Lismore and Ballina showcases the strength and unity of our communities.

“A lot of effort has gone into developing our Hockey Centre and hosting an event of this magnitude in Lismore is a significant achievement,” he said.

“This event not only brings top-tier hockey to our area but also offers an opportunity for local businesses and the community to benefit from the influx of visitors. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved and I encourage our community to come out and support the event.”

This year’s championships will feature 50 teams with over 850 competitors competing for top honours across the two venues. The NSW Women’s Masters Hockey Championships, which began in 1985 in Newcastle with only 16 teams, has grown significantly in size and stature over the years.

President of Far North Coast Hockey Inc., Nathan Kesteven, said we are thrilled to be hosting the NSW Women’s Masters Hockey State Championships.

“This event not only celebrates the athleticism and sportsmanship of our players but also fosters a sense of camaraderie and community spirit among all participants,” he said.

“We’ve had a huge amount of interest from our local players and this year will be entering 5 highly competitive teams in the event, from the Over 34 Div 1 team up to the Over 55’s Div 1.”

“We are looking forward to welcoming teams, supporters and hockey enthusiasts to what promises to be an unforgettable weekend of competition.”

For the first time, the Championships will be held on the Far North Coast, marking a significant milestone for the region. The championships promises to be an exciting and competitive event, showcasing the talent and dedication of athletes from across the northern part of the state.

Local residents and visitors are invited to attend the event, support the teams and enjoy the exciting matches and vibrant atmosphere of the championships. The first game commences at 11am on Friday, 26 July at the Goonellabah Hockey Centre, 214 Oliver Avenue, Goonellabah and the Ballina Hockey Centre at 2C Bentinck Street, Ballina.

For more sports news, click here.

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