Sport NSW recognises outstanding community achievements and contributions

Sport NSW has recognised some of the outstanding achievements and contributions to community sport in NSW over the past year which is largely carried out by a volunteer workforce.

The winners of the 2024 NSW Community Sports Awards, presented by Sport NSW, were announced at CommBank Stadium on 19th June.

The 12 category recipients received their Awards at the ceremony hosted by NSW Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper.

Sport NSW Chairperson, Chris Hall congratulated the Award winners and paid tribute to all finalists noting “The NSW Community Sports Awards are the highest honours for community and grassroots sport in the state. It is fitting these Award recipients and finalists are recognised and honoured.

“We applaud all sports volunteers for their countless hours of unwavering work at the coalface of sport. It is because of their loyal and dedicated service that thousands of men and women, boys and girls enjoy the health, social and community benefits sport provides.

“Sport in NSW relies on these people who have voluntarily dedicated their time. Without our army of volunteers, sport could not be played each week.

“Sport remains at the heart of communities across NSW and has the unique ability to bring people from different cultures and backgrounds together.”

The Community Award winners are:

COMMUNITY CLUB OF THE YEAR                                    
Bathurst Giants Australian Football Club, Bathurst                             

COMMUNITY COACH OF THE YEAR              
Danny Silvestri, Enfield, Football                     

COMMUNITY EVENT OF THE YEAR 
Bowls NSW State Championships, Sydney                               

COMMUNITY OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR          
Gregory Smith, Cranebrook, Rowing                             

COMMUNITY SPORTS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR (joint winners)  
Shelly Rush-Nichols, Maitland, Touch Football
Sandra Slattery, Port Macquarie, Surf Life Saving                 

COMMUNITY TEAM OF THE YEAR   
Enfield Rovers U16/1 Boys Football Team                                  

INCLUSION ACHIEVEMENT OF THE YEAR (joint winners)               
Basketball NSW, Homebush              
Football NSW - 2023 NAIDOC Cup, Glenwood       

INNOVATION OF THE YEAR 
Netball NSW Cultural Competency and Reflective e-Learning, Sydney Olympic Park 

LOCAL COUNCIL OF THE YEAR    
Blacktown City Council                                          

VOLUNTEER DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR 
Dilys Kindleysides, Northmead, Bowls                        

YOUNG COACH OF THE YEAR 
Andrew Olsen, Port Macquarie, Volleyball                                 

YOUNG OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR
Cooper Ellis, Narara, Basketball

The Awards evening also celebrated 21 recipients of Distinguished Long Service Awards. These Awards honoured individuals across a broad range of sports who have given exceptional service to their sport over a period of decades.

The Distinguished Long Service Awards recipients are: