Northern NSW Football congratulates Hunter Valley Football’s Newcastle Permanent Community Recognition Award winners for July.
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, Hunter Valley Football 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, Hunter Valley Football and Newcastle Permanent congratulate all the recipients for July.
Volunteer of the Month
Kristen Birkett – Thornton Junior FC
Kristen is the heart and soul of Thornton Junior FC. How well the club is organised and structured as well as people being made to feel welcome and included is all due to Kristen’s hard work and dedication.
The club secretary spends countless hours working on all aspects of running the club and is always available to help and assist with questions or problems.
Week in, week out Thornton Junior FC’s 38 teams run like clockwork due to Kristen’s dedication.
Referee of the Month
Marni Duggan
Coach of the Month
Andrew Flannery – Clarence Town FC
Andrew was born and bred in Clarence Town. He runs a local business and supports the community in many ways. One way is by sacrificing his own time and money to close his business early on training nights to coach the club’s under-12s team.
The team is made up of under-11s and 12s children including six girls, some having never played before. Andrew encourages them and teaches his skills he acquired through playing representative football in his own youth days.
He talks to each individual child to encourage them before the games and helps those that need extra support. For a thrown together team that no one thought had a chance in under-12s competition Andrew has trained them well and got them to enjoy playing as a team. They are yet to lose a game this season.
But it is not about winning, it is about having fun and all the kids in the team leave with a smile on their face and they all love it.
