Sport NSW announces 19 Distinguished Long Service Honour recipients

Sport NSW will recognise 19 community sports volunteers with the prestigious Distinguished Long Service Honour, following their decades of unflagging and invaluable service to sport at a grassroots level, at the 2025 NSW Community Sports Awards to be held at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta on Monday 30th June.

The Distinguished Long Service Honour recognises individual officials, coaches, administrators, and event organisers who have demonstrated extraordinary unwavering dedication to nurturing and promoting sport in their communities for over 25 years.

The 2025 Distinguished Long Service honourees are:

• Alan Beveridge - surf life saving

• Brian Gibson - bowls

• Ian Hook - baseball

• Ian Parker - AFL

• John Goh - rugby union

• John Hughes - Northern NSW Football

• Kirsten Crocker - athletics

• Kristine Agosto - squash

• Leeanne Palmer - basketball

• Les Friend - equestrian

• Lynn Parker - paddle

• Mark Stephenson - ice hockey

• Mary Patricia Lusty - swimming

• Paul Cini - touch

• Sharon Cooper - cricket

• Stephen Croot - rowing

• Sue Badenoch Kinsey - football

• Walter (Wally) O'Hara OAM - gymnastics

• Wendy Archer AM - netball

Acknowledging that each Distinguished Long Service Honour recipient has made an extraordinary contribution to their sport and community, Sport NSW Chairperson, Chris Hall stated "the Distinguished Long Service Honour presented to these 19 remarkable community sport volunteers is a testament to their selfless commitment and lasting impact. These individuals have contributed countless hours over many years to ensure others can enjoy the benefits of sport.

“These Honourees have been the backbone of their sport within their community. They have enabled sports participants and all abilities the opportunity to enjoy the health, social and community benefits that sports participation provides.

“We congratulate them, and we honour them, and we thank them. Without volunteers such as these 19 worthy recipients, sport would not exist without them.

The 2025 NSW Community Sports Awards will also see the announcement of the 12 Community Sports Award category winners.

These Awards recognised outstanding achievements and contributions to community sport in NSW which is largely carried out by a volunteer workforce.

The categories are Community Official of the Year, Young Official of the Year, Community Coach of the Year, Young Coach of the Year, Community Sports Administrator of the Year, Volunteer Director of the Year, Community Club of the Year, Local Council of the Year, Community Event of the Year, Community Team of the Year, Innovation of the Year and Inclusion Achievement of the Year.

Images: The 2025 NSW Community Sports Awards are being held at the CommBank Stadium in Parramatta.