Northern NSW Football (NNSWF) congratulates Football Far North Coast’s Newcastle Permanent Community Recognition Award winners for September.
The awards recognise the hard work and significant time volunteers, coaches and match officials contribute to Australia’s largest team sport.
NNSWF Head of Football Development Peter Haynes said the Newcastle Permanent Community Recognition Awards provided an important opportunity to recognise those who make the game what it is today.
“Without this month’s winners football simply would not be in the position it is. Each of these winners has made an outstanding contribution to their clubs and deserve to be recognised,” Haynes said.
“Community football relies on a collective effort and these awards reflect the appreciation extended to everyone who plays a role in progressing our game.
“I am pleased we are able to thank and acknowledge each of them on behalf of the sport, thanks to the support of our major sponsor, Newcastle Permanent.”
Each of the winners were selected from a number of nominations made by club colleagues and observers of the game. Each winner receives unique packs from Official Community Football Partner, Newcastle Permanent, to help them in their endeavours.
Newcastle Permanent CEO Bernadette Inglis congratulated each of the winners and thanked them for their contribution to the game.
From the pool of monthly winners, Football Far North Coast will nominate one winner from each category to represent their Zone for the opportunity to be named “Newcastle Permanent Community Football Winner of the Year” to be announced in October.
Northern NSW Football, Football Far North Coast and Newcastle Permanent congratulate all the recipients for September.
Volunteer of the Month
David Craggs – Lismore RSM Workers FC
David Craggs joined Lismore RSM Workers FC in 2010 after spending many years playing football in Coffs Harbour. He became senior president in 2018 to help rebuild the club that had lost many senior players for a range of reasons.
David stepped up to the role of club president in 2019 while also coaching his son’s MiniRoos under-7s team. The club has several new volunteers this year and the main objective is to review the way the club operates, get back to basics and encourage families and new players of all ages to give the game a go.
Coach of the Month
Ava Stuart – Tumbulgum Rangers Sports Club
At the start of the 2020 season, Tumbulgum Rangers had no grade six MiniRoos coach/team leader. The vacant position was circulated through the club’s social media channels and Ava keenly applied to fill the volunteer role.
The now 14-year-old has been playing football for five years with Tumbulgum Rangers and is a highly valued member of the mixed grade 13 team. Ava is seen training at the local field most afternoons after school.
Ava has also achieved her referee accreditation this year and is enjoying her rostered game allocations in a proficient manner. Early signs suggest she will make a positive contribution through her refereeing as well.
Ava is a young, polite and enthusiastic leader and a wonderful mentor for the young girls and boys she coaches.
Referee of the Month
Blake Penhey
Blake Penhey is now a senior referee with Football Far North Coast, having started as a junior and progressed through the ranks.
His commitment to officiating reflects his skills that have seen Penhey identified to attend TOP camps in previous years. He is a valued match official at Football Far North Coast thanks to his calm manner.
Despite moving to Queensland to study this year Penhey continues to make a contribution to local football in Football Far North Coast by returning to referee games each weekend while following all COVID-19 guidelines.
