Laura Ranger and Stephen Lubke have been nominated for honours at the 2020 NSW Community Sports Awards.
Northern NSW Football nominated the pair for the awards with Ranger, president of Newcastle Football club Mayfield United, one of four finalists nominated for the Community Sport Administrator award.
Lubke is to be presented with a Distinguished Long Service award for more than 25 years of dedication to Northern Inland Football club Narrabri FC.
Ranger, who is in her first year as Tigers president after having held various roles at the club, said football had become a huge part of her life.
“I am always very honoured when I am nominated for awards but I don’t ever feel like I deserve it over anyone else who volunteers and does what I do for other clubs as I know they all work just as hard as I do,” she said.
“I am very grateful that my efforts are recognised and it makes me feel really good that I am making a difference out in the world. It would be absolutely amazing to win this particular award as it is nominated across all categories of sport and that is a huge achievement for me and I feel very proud just being nominated in the first place.
“I could safely say I live and breathe all things football related. There really isn’t a moment of the day when I am not doing something for the club whether it is administration related, being at the grounds to help out, nurturing our young referees and giving them guidance to complete courses.
“I give my role my all because I absolutely love it. I love seeing the kids on game days with smiles on their faces enjoying being outside and active and I love seeing my own kids grow and learn and I love knowing that they are watching me put in this effort and teaching them that anything is achievable if you put your mind to it.”
The winners of the 2020 Community Sports Awards and presentations of the Distinguished Long Service Awards will take place at an event later this year. Due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 and the uncertainty of the continually changing health environment, the details of the event have not been confirmed.
Nominations were sought across 10 categories, with more than 200 nominations submitted recognising community coaches, officials, administrators and organisations for their achievements and contributions over the last year.
More than 500,000 people across NSW voluntarily dedicate their time every year through their involvement in sporting clubs and organisations. The NSW Community Sports Awards recognise the outstanding achievements and contributions of this volunteer workforce as sport would not exist without them.
