Football NSW’s State Dinner was held at the Novotel at Sydney Olympic Park in what was a great celebration of community football with Eurobodalla Football Association’s Sue Badenoch Kinsey awarded the prestigious George Churchward Medal.
Football NSW Directors and Life Members all came together to recognise and acknowledge the elite few who have provided consistent and invaluable service at community level.
There was also representation from State and Local Government with the likes of Kylie Wilkinson (Member for East Hills), Nathan Hagarty (Member for Leppington), Eleni Petinos (Member for Miranda & Shadow Minister for Sport), Mark Coure (Member for Oatley), Alistair Henskens (Member for Wahroonga), Felicity Wilson (Member for North Shore) and Michael Regan (Member for Wakehurst) all of which threw their support behind the event.
Hosted by Stephanie Brantz, the evening kicked off with the presentation of the State Award winners.
State Award winners are nominated by their Association in recognition of their tireless efforts and service to football in their local community.
State Awards formally recognise individuals who have provided consistent and valuable service at any level – Club, Association, Branch or State.
These contributions may include services such as: committee member, coach, manager, match official, canteen manager or grounds person.
The 2024 State Award Winners were:
- Brad Fitzgibbons – Bankstown District Amateur Football Association
- John Boyle – Blacktown & Districts Soccer Football Association
- Anthony Johnstone – Football Canterbury
- Steffan Frandsen – Dubbo & District Football Association
- Steve Lawrence – Eastern Suburbs Football Association
- Sandy Depers – Football South Coast
- Leo Blanda – Football St George
- Darcy Lound – Macarthur Football Association
- John Tansley – Manly Warringah Football Association
- Melissa Crane – Nepean Football Association
- Christine Freer – Northern Suburbs Football Association
- Stacey Williams – Shoalhaven District Football Association
- Joel Sleeman – Shoalhaven District Football Association
- Spiros Missiakos – Southern Districts Soccer Football Association
- David Albrighton – Southern Tablelands Football Association
- Laura Cowell – Sutherland Shire Football Association
Fair Play Award
This year’s award recognised the fair play shown by Granville Districts Soccer Football Association’s (GDSFA) All Age Men’s 6 side Auburn District FC.
During the GDSFA Grand Finals, tragedy struck the entire football community when Volkan Ergun collapsed in the All Age Mens 6’s Grand Final between Auburn FC v Auburn District after he scored a goal. The GDSFA football family sprang into immediate action assisting where possible.
Unfortunately Volkan passed that day, our condolences to the family in what was a tragic event. The match was stopped after Volkan collapsed with the score 1-0 to Auburn FC – a goal that he had scored.
Monday, following this tragedy, the GDSFA received an email from the President of Auburn District Mr Mahmoud Chekchok advising that his All Age Mens 6 team had discussed it and requested that the result of the Final stand as 1-0. The club went against the match being forfeited as they wanted the result to stand to leave a long-lasting legacy in Volkan’s honour.
Football NSW were touched by the compassion and great sportsmanship shown by this team.
It’s moments like this that showcase how close knit our football family is.
Future Leaders Award
The Future Leader Award recipient is someone who has shown enthusiasm, determination, innovation, and direction in giving back to football and who is passionate about harnessing the power of football in their local community.
These traits were heavily personified this season by Hazelbrook FC’s Victoria Sharp.
Playing in the Nepean Football Association, Victoria has been a rock and held many positions such as the club’s Female Football Coordinator as well as the Under 13 Girls/1 coach.
Victoria joined the Hazelbrook FC’s committee this season to fill the vacant Female Football Coordinator role and throughout the year drove new initiatives such as working with Wentworth Falls FC on the inaugural Unity Cup, running Female Football Skills Clincs with teammates from the Women’s Division 2 side as well as arranging sponsorship.
She also was a key member of the club’s Division 2 team where she managed the squad and has indicated that she will be going for her C-License in 2025.
Football NSW wishes to congratulate Jason on a well-deserved honour.
Special Recognition Awards
There were four Football members that received Special Recognition Awards on the night highlighting their commitment to the sport.
Eschol Park FC’s registrar Jared Lazarus was acknowledged after demonstrating exceptional courage during a medical emergency while Jordan Springs FC’s Lindy Fenton, Colo FC’s Karen Blanch and Nepean Football Association staff member Cheryl Lynch were recognized for their bravery and incredible selfless actions during a medial episode at a Nepean Football Association Club meeting.
George Churchward Medal
The night’s final and most honoured award, the George Churchward Medal, presented annually to an individual who has exemplified an outstanding commitment to the sport was awarded to Eurobodalla Football Association’s long serving administrator Sue Badenoch Kinsey.
The 2024 season marked 50 years of involvement in football for Sue which began in March 1975 when she served with the now defunct North St. Mary’s Soccer Club and contributed to several roles in the club over the next 4 years.
In 1979, Sue came onboard with the new St. Clair Soccer Club under the leadership of Brian Embury. There the loveable administrator was involved with almost everything at the club including Secretary, Registrar, Treasurer, Canteen Manager to name but a few. Sue also became involved with the Nepean Association, although not on the Board of the Association, Sue often worked with the late Barbara Horley.
However, it wasn’t until Sue and her family moved to the South Coast in late 1988 that she became deeply involved with the Batemans Bay club and then the Eurobodalla Association when word got out that she was involved in sport for many years.
Sue introduced new systems at the Association which included player photos, proof of age I.Ds. as well as a basic weekly fixture list. Sue’s roles on the Board of Eurobodalla Football covered all aspects of community football including refereeing for over 35 years with the Eurobodalla Association.
The experienced administrator has been the Rep Convenor for Southern Branch for over 20 years and enjoys watching the juniors flourish at the next level of their football pathways.
As a Director on the Southern Branch Board, Sue became the delegate to the Football NSW’s Association Standing Committee, serving on this Board for four years. The liaisons and camaraderie Sue experienced with Staff at FNSW as well as delegates from all over NSW has been a highlight of her involvement.
It was a fitting end of the evening as Sue received a standing ovation by the many in attendance.
It was a fantastic evening as Football NSW’s grassroots community embraced in what was a memorable season for all involved with all eyes on a bigger season in 2025.
Source: Football NSW.
