Northern NSW Football is delighted to announce the recipients of its Local Champion Awards for August.
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.
Coach of the Month
Georgia Smith – South United FC
Georgia has coached junior teams at South United FC for the last three years.
Georgia has taken on the challenging task of coaching under-8s and under-10s teams this year as well as playing in the Northern Inland club’s senior women’s team. She also helps out with the club’s under-6s team and is a junior member of the South United committee while also busy completing her year 11 studies.
George has a strong relationship with and respect for the club’s juniors as is especially good with children with special needs.
She tells the children that every player has a valuable part to play and if they all do their part will make a good team of young sportspeople.
Georgia’s aim is to encourage growth and improvement of all her players as well as have her teams display their best sportsmanship and teamwork regardless of the score.
She encourages the children to enjoy their football first, helping their skills to develop naturally and has seen improvement from all her players this season.
Player of the Month
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.
She is 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.
Referee of the Month
Tim Abbott
Tim is a young referee who has been officiating at all levels this season from community junior and senior games and school games through to NPL Women’s NNSW.
The 18-year-old Football Mid North Coast referee has shown much enthusiasm when refereeing and has been consistently available for appointments. Tim has also attended referee education training sessions.
Volunteer of the Month
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.
He 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 collaboratively with Football Far North Coast 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.
Team of the Month
Minmi Wanderers FC under-16s
Minmi Wanderers’ under-16s team are a newly formed team in 2022.
The team are a bunch of wonderful, humble young people who take to the pitch with grace and respect and are undefeated so far this season.
Club of the Month
Stockton FC
Stockton FC understand the importance of community.
The club has supported ANZAC services and NNSWF Female Football Week initiatives so far this season.
Stockton FC incorporated player players on a number of female contributors to the club on and off the field.
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 Georgia, Keeley, Tim and Tim as well as clubs like Minmi Wanderers FC and Stockton FC 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 NNSWF Local Champion Awards winners for August. We wish them all the very best for the rest of the 2022 season.”
Monthly award winners are also nominated for the annual Local Champion Awards in October.
