PICTURED: NEWCASTLE FOOTBALL’S NEWCASTLE PERMANENT VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR DAVE PATTERSON ACCEPTING THE NNSWF NEWCASTLE PERMANENT VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD AT NNSWF’S AWARDS NIGHT
Newcastle Football would like to congratulate this year’s Newcastle Permanent Community Award Yearly Winners in their Zone.
Official Community Football Partner, Newcastle Permanent Building Society once again provided the monthly award program to recognise and reward the efforts of volunteers, coaches, match officials and clubs in each of Northern NSW Football’s seven-member Zones.
Newcastle Football Chief Executive Officer, Russell Henry, said this was another tough year in selecting the annual winners for their Zone but congratulates those who received their deserved award.
“The Newcastle Permanent Community Awards provide a valuable opportunity to recognise a range of individuals across the football community and within our specific member clubs who make our game as great as it is today,” Henry 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.”
“This year we found it really difficult in selecting the Yearly Winners which resulted in Newcastle Football rewarding two of our Volunteers for their hard work and dedication to the game,” Henry concluded.
Newcastle Permanent Chief Executive Officer Terry Millett echoed Henry’s sentiments and said Newcastle Permanent is proud to honour those who give up their time to assist in the community.
“Without the dedication of volunteers, coaches and match officials such as these generous people – grassroots sports including football, would not survive. These committed people make it possible for kids to lead active, healthy lives, ” Mr Millett said.
Newcastle Football, Northern NSW Football and Newcastle Permanent congratulate all the recipients.
Newcastle Permanent Club of the Year
Raymond Terrace Football Club
Raymond Terrace FC celebrated 60th Year anniversary this year. They are a dedicated club and pay a lot of attention to the administration and their submission of documents. The club attends all meetings and participates in feedback every time. Registrations remained constant at 394. The club conducted themselves professionally in all areas from MiniRoos to Zone League football, male and female age groups and supported Newcastle Football with all administration procedures required. The club always looks to provide coach education opportunities. The also participated in a professional manner in both in Silent Saturday and the Newcastle Permanent Referee Recognition weekend. They have their members best interest as a focus to provide the best experience for the players, supporters and coaches. Raymond Terrace FC is a devoted committee with an army of volunteers. They provided an outstanding effort to host their Grand Finals (3 fields Friday night, 6 fields Saturday & 3 fields on Sunday). Their volunteers worked together providing many duty officers, servicing visitors and catering all needs for approximately 4000 people over the 3 days. Zone Football League 1st grade has won the past 4 Grand Finals they have played in from 2014-17. Newcastle Football would like to recognise and thank the club for their exceptional effort in 2017 by all the committee and club members.
Newcastle Permanent Referee of the Year
Elizabeth Lambert
Elizabeth Lambert is a first-year referee who is enthusiastic every time she gets on the field. A highlight of her performances was when she had to officiate an Under 16/1 A-Grade New Lambton team that had a very hard fought 1-1 draw with Cooks Hill. Many of the boys from both teams go to school together at St Pius X so it was a contest that had been eagerly anticipated in the playground all through the previous week! It was a fiercely contested game with both teams playing aggressively (but fairly) to try to get the better of the other. Elizabeth was outstanding throughout – She made decisions quickly and decisively and got the boys (from both teams) to calm down when they were in danger of getting too physical. She allowed the game to flow and was instrumental in letting the game turn out to be the great match that it ended up. Many spectators afterwards commented on how it was such an exciting game. I think too many people (players, coaches and parents) are too quick to be critical of our long-suffering Match Officials, Elizabeth’s contribution was critical to making it such a fine match. It is fantastic for the kids to be able to play this great game in such an organised structure and supervised by great and enthusiastic Referee just like Elizabeth!
Newcastle Permanent Volunteers of the Year
Dave Patterson
Hamilton Azzurri Football Cub
Dave has been a dedicated volunteer for his club for many years, committing his time to ensure MiniRoos, the 12’s & 15’s plus 7 All Age and Zone Football League Three squads get the best admin effort that is available. Registrations, fixture notification, adjustment to times where necessary are all down to a minimum of stress. This is in addition to his ‘real job’ to mark grounds, check the pitch condition for match day, attend football meetings and still be able to get to play his own game on weekends. Daven has flown well under the radar for many years, doing what is needed with little fuss and his nomination confirms it’s time for him to be recognised for his dutiful efforts. David collected the overall vote of Northern NSW Football’s and won the Newcastle Permanent Volunteer of the Year at Northern NSW Football’s Awards Night.
Eddie Delzotto
Lambton Jaffas Junior Football Club
Eddie does a huge amount behind the scenes for the Jaffas Junior club. He can be seen down at the ground in the pre-season and throughout the season at all sort of odd hours preparing the grounds and generally putting in a huge amount of effort, so the players can enjoy their games each week. He also deals with the unenviable job of organising the club registration process plus sorting all the gear etc. On top of all that he always seems happy and nothing is too difficult for him to sort out. Eddie is definitely a more than worthy candidate for the award and we can’t thank him enough for the amount of work he does which we may not even be aware of half of it!
Newcastle Permanent Coach of the Year
Jason Powel
Kotara South Football Club
Jason Powel is an amazing coach who is a great role model to his players. Jason is a First Grade player with Kotara South Seniors and approached the Kotara South Juniors last season wanting to help the juniors via Coaching. He coached the Under 15 Bs in 2016 to the Minor and Major Premierships. Last season he also coached an AA Women’s team. Jason has returned this season coaching the same team which are now in the Under 16’s Division. Jason is creating a connection and a pathway for young men to begin to aspire to senior football. He invited his Under 16 team to train one night per week or fortnight with the Senior club, with Jason guiding them carefully into training alongside men and more talented footballers. Jason is in training every week with the boys and turns up to every game when he isn’t playing himself. The boys love having him around, he is a real inspiration to these young men and is a worthy recipient of such an award. Congratulations Jason!
