Sports

MEDIA RELEASE

DATE: 19 OCTOBER 2022 RELEASE: Immediate

Inaugural annual Local Champion Awards winners announced

Northern NSW Football was delighted to announce the inaugural annual winners of its Local Champion Awards on Friday night.

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.

The annual award winners were chosen from recipients of the monthly awards across each of the six categories, with winners recognised in front of more than 400 people at NNSWF’s Jennings Medal awards night at Newcastle Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Team of the Year: Hallidays Point Sports Club All Age Women

Every successful club needs a team like Hallidays Point FC’s All Age Women’s side, who were the Team of the Month for June. The club’s women’s team are a shining example of what community club football should be all about. The All Age Women’s team have worked hard to create a positive culture to support their female players as well as foster a positive relationship with their young up and coming players.

This outlook has ensured everyone involved in the squad feels safe, respected and heard every time they show up to training or a game.

The team have also led the way off the feld. The All Age Women’s team raised more than $1000 after participating in Ks for RUOK? last July.

The team have a strong belief in the importance of starting conversations about mental health to ensure their players are doing well off the pitch and feel comfortable making it known when they are not coping with life or anything happening in their world.

Northern NSW Football was delighted to announce the inaugural annual winners of its Local Champion Awards on Friday night. 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. The annual award winners were chosen from recipients of the monthly awards across each of the six categories, with winners recognised in front of more than 400 people at NNSWF’s Jennings Medal awards night at Newcastle Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Team of the Year Hallidays Point Sports Club All Age Women

Every successful club needs a team like Hallidays Point FC’s All Age Women’s side, who were the Team of the Month for June. The club’s women’s team are a shining example of what community club football should be all about. The All Age Women’s team have worked hard to create a positive culture to support their female players as well as foster a positive relationship with their young up and coming players. This outlook has ensured everyone involved in the squad feels safe, respected and heard every time they show up to training or a game. The team have also led the way off the field. The All Age Women’s team raised more than $1000 after participating in Ks for RUOK? last July. The team have a strong belief in the importance of starting conversations about mental health to ensure their players are doing well off the pitch and feel comfortable making it known when they are not coping with life or anything happening in their world. It was a conscious decision to build a certain type of culture within the team when it was born three years ago. Team captain Jess Evans said it was the best team to be part of and her teammates deserved all the recognition they could get.

Rous Public School became State Champions in the Small School Soccer fnals contested in Sydney on the 21st September. Effectively, the team went back to back after claiming the competition in 2019, with COVID intervening in 2020 and 2021.

Under overcast skies at Valentine Sports Park, Rous Public School convincingly defeated close rivals Ulmarra Public School 8 nil in the semifnal. The team worked together and managed to score some classic goals and combined in defence to keep Ulmarra scoreless.

This pitted Rous Public School up against Booral Public School in the grand fnal. After a nervous wait of nearly two hours, the team took to the high-quality pitch provided. The frst half was a very close affair, with Rous holding some quality feld position, but unable to capitalise. Eventually, at the back end of the frst half, Rous slotted 2 goals and took this lead into half time. In the second half Rous piled on another 4 goals, to take the victory 6 nil and be crowned 2022 Division 3 State Champions! After a medal presentation the players and parents boarded the bus for some more celebrations and a memorable trip back to Rous PS! The team performed outstandingly, from goalkeeper to the strikers, with everyone making valuable contributions throughout the competition. Rous only conceded 1 goal all competition!

Community sport organisations can now score a major funding boost, with applications open for the NSW Government’s Local Sport Grant Program.

Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said the program provides grants up to $10,000, with up to $50,000 available in each NSW electorate.

“Community sporting clubs are the lifeblood of the Coffs Coast, and many are in need of a cash injection so they can upgrade their facilities and boost participation,” Mr Singh said.

“This funding will help modernise facilities for our local clubs and enable more local people to participate in community sport and recreation activities.”

The program will focus on initiatives that enable more people to enjoy the benefts of playing sport, regardless of their age, gender, background or ability.

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said last year the Program funded more than 830 projects across NSW.

“We want more people playing sport in our State, which is why we’re growing participation and helping people boost their budget through programs like the Active Kids voucher program,” Mr Henskens said.

“The Local Sport Grant Program is about giving community sporting clubs a boost, by investing in clubs to improve facilities, enhance accessibility and hold new and exciting events and development programs that engage people of all ages and abilities.”

Women and girls will beneft from funding to help enhance sports facilities and boost participation, with applications now open for two NSW Government grant programs.

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the $25 million Female Friendly Sport Facilities and Lighting Upgrades Program provides grants of up to $500,000 to help transform community sport facilities into safer and more inclusive venues. “This program will deliver femalefriendly change rooms, amenities and lighting upgrades, which is one of the biggest barriers that prevent women and girls from participating in sport,” Mr Henskens said.

“Community sport is where it all begins and we know the number of female players is soaring. This program will give them the facilities to complement their aspirations.

“This investment in our communities will not only get more women and girls playing sport but will also support local jobs, which will grow the economy and help secure a brighter future for NSW.” Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said an additional $650,000 is now available to sporting organisations through the NSW Government’s Her Sport Her Way Grant Program. “This program enables organisations to develop innovative ways to encourage more women and girls to participate in sport, on and off the feld, as players, referees, coaches or offcials,” Mrs Taylor said. “When women and girls feel comfortable they are more likely to stick with their chosen sport. This helps local clubs keep existing players and inspires the next generation of female sporting stars.”