Volunteers to be honoured at 2024 NSW Sports Awards

Outstanding sports volunteers will receive Distinguished Long Service Awards at the 2024 NSW Community Sports Awards, to be presented by Sport NSW, on Wednesday 19th June.

The Awards night, conducted at CommBank Stadium, recognises outstanding achievements and contributions to community sport in NSW which is largely carried out by a volunteer workforce.

A total of 21 recipients from a wide cross-section of sports will receive their Distinguished Long Service Awards from NSW Sports Minister Steve Kamper.

The volunteers are honoured for their decades of dedicated and unselfish service to their sport.

Congratulating the volunteers on their Awards and paid tribute to their service, Sport NSW Chairperson, Chris Hall stated “these volunteers are the backbone of grassroots and community sport and it is fitting these Distinguished Long Service Award recipients are recognised and honoured.

“We thank them for their years of selfless dedication which has enabled generations of boys and girls, men and women to participate in sport and enjoy the life skills, social benefits and community spirit that it provides.

“Sport has the unique unifying ability to bring people of different cultures and backgrounds together.

“At the centre are the army of volunteers who each week dedicate themselves to ensure the games are played, the fields are marked, the canteen is stocked, and the bar-be-que is sizzling.

“Sport is at the heart of our local communities and, quite simply, sport would not exist without our magnificent volunteers.

The Awards presentation evening also celebrates volunteers across 12 categories for their outstanding achievements and excellence to over the past year.

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 Team of the Year, Community Club of the Year, Inclusion Achievement of the Year, Community Event of the Year, Innovation of the Year and Local Council of the Year.

The Distinguished Long Service Awards recipients are:

• Barry Antella OAM - surf life saving - Naremburn

• Jenny Bailey - Northern NSW Football - Lambton

• Margi Bohm - paddle - Queanbeyan

• Colleen Brook - equestrian - Wilberforce

• Francis 'Bernie' Delaney - rugby league - Estella

• Beverly Dew OAM - netball - North Balgowlah

• Armando Gardiman AM - football - Haberfield

• Neil Holmes - rowing - Kingswood

• Warren Jarrett - cricket - Rutherford

• Maree Kirby - motorcycling - Doyalson

• George Louie - dragon boat - Queens Park

• Clinton Mallett - hockey - Goonellabah

• John Martin - basketball - Jaspers Brush

• Heather Mitchell - athletics - Miranda

• John Oliver - orienteering - Wagga Wagga

• Barbara Pearson - gymnastics - Mosman

• Stan Pedersen (deceased) - tennis - Baulkham Hills

• Glenn Pincott - motorsport - Blue Haven

• Ronald Pollett - Little Athletics - Tregear

• Warren Rosser OAM - judo - Brighton Le Sands

• John Turnbull - touch football - Erina

Image credit: Sport NSW.