Northern NSW Football is delighted to announce the recipients of its 2022 Female Football Week awards.
Awards were presented at NNSWF’s annual Female Football Week networking event held at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility earlier tonight.
The event was attended by almost 60 guests to recognise and highlight the contribution that women and girls make throughout all levels of the game across northern NSW from grassroots football to NPL Women’s NNSW.
Football Australia’s General Manager World Cup Legacy Programs Carlee Millikin was also on hand to speak about FA’s FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Legacy Plan (Legacy ’23) and how it will impact football for women and girls in the coming years.
NNSWF Female Participation and Inclusion Officer Annelise Rosnell said the night was a great success.
“It was amazing to get so many supporters of women’s football in the same room to share something we are all so passionate about,” Rosnell said.
“It was also great to recognise our award winners who contribute so much to their football community. We thank them for their hard work and dedication and congratulate them on their awards.”
2022 NNSWF Female Football Week award winners
Coach of the Year – Daisy Mackaway
Daisy has coached the under-11 girls at Swansea FC for the last five years. Daisy is encouraging, supportive and makes sure all the girls have fun and foster a strong love for football. Daisy preaches that football isn’t about winning but about having fun, growing as a team and developing as a player. Daisy leads by example for her young players, showing that referees and club officials should be treated kindly and with respect.
Referee of the Year – Lucy Hungerford
Lucy has demonstrated outstanding ability and commitment during her three seasons as a match official. She has quickly risen through the ranks and is officiating on a level of football rare for someone so young. Lucy attends coaching sessions, training nights, fitness tests and courses to upgrade her qualifications and gain more knowledge. She is a member of the NNSWF Youth Referee Academy where she is a willing contributor to the coaching and development opportunities she receives. Lucy gives her officiating everything and is keen to share her knowledge and enthusiasm with all other referees she works with. Lucy is an inspiration to other referees and has the potential to advance a long way as a match official.
Volunteer of the Year – Lesley Campbell
Lesley has been a volunteer at Great Lakes United FC since 2013. Lesley has held or holds a number of roles for the club including treasurer, canteen manager, coach, volunteer referee and Females in Football liaison officer. In 2021 Lesley founded and organised the Mid Coast Wellbeing Awareness Day events held at Boronia Park with involvement of other local support groups and the NSW Police LAC to improve understanding and acceptance of mental health conditions. Lesley has been recognised not only as an important asset to the club but also to the wider community.
Male Champion of the Year – Michael Best
In 2018 Michael shifted his focus to supporting Cooks Hill United’s female Zone League community teams, patiently getting to know a squad of 30 players and wasting no time in laying the foundations for a more development focused approach to female football within the club. Michael is the coach of two female teams at Cooks Hill United in 2022 and always ensures players feel safe, supported and confident. Michael is a strong advocate for females within the club ensuring equitable access to facilities and recognition of success.
Club of the Year – Dudley United Senior Football Club
Dudley United Senior FC is a small club with a big heart in its community. In 2022 Dudley Seniors have established three all-age female teams, seeing more than 50 women take to the field. The club ensures women have a voice at a committee level by having female players represented on the committee and a dedicated female champion. Dudley Senior FC host an annual Ladies’ Day, coinciding when possible with Female Football Week which sees the club come together to fundraise for women’s charity. Dudley Seniors are looking to the future with upgrades to their facilities to ensure appropriate facilities for their female players, volunteers, match officials and spectators.
Advanced Coaching Scholarship for Women recipients
Mackenzie Davis – New Lambton FC (Premier) – FA/AFC ‘B’ Licence
Zandalea Foster – Toronto Awaba FC (Premier) – FA ‘C’ Licence
Kirra Smith – New Lambton FC (Premier) – FA ‘C’ Licence
Frances Agelavu – Cooks Hill United (Newcastle Football) – FA ‘C’ Licence
Skye Lacey – Port Macquarie United FC (Football Mid North Coast) – FA ‘C’ Licence
