Northern NSW Football is pleased to announce the Newcastle Permanent Community Volunteer of the Year for 2021 across its zones.
“Finding volunteers as enthusiastic and selfless as Steve, Jada, Craig, Monique, Kristen, Roz and Dainis is the goal for all sporting clubs across Australia,” NNSWF Community Football Manager Ross Hicks said.
“Their contribution has been key to their club’s sustained success and it is satisfying to be able to acknowledge the effort and hard work they have provided their clubs over the years.”
Newcastle Permanent Chief Customer Experience and Delivery Officer Paul Juergens echoed Hicks’ sentiments and applauded the volunteers who received the award.
“Volunteers are the vital backbone to football. Without dedicated volunteers like Steve, Jada, Craig, Monique, Kristen, Roz and Dainis community football would not happen every weekend,” Juergens said.
“We thank and congratulate them for their valuable contribution.”
The 2021 Newcastle Permanent Volunteer of the Year Award recipients from across each of NNSWF’s seven member zones are:
Football Far North Coast
Steve Wilson – Tintenbar East Ballina FC
Steve was nominated by Tintenbar East Ballina FC for his commitment over the duration of his service to the club.
North Coast Football
Jada Johnson – Woolgoolga United FC
Jada has been an integral part of Woolgoolga United for a long time.
She has played first grade, been club registrar and treasurer for six years. She is the first one to put her hand up to do whatever is needed to help the club on and off the field.
Football Mid North Coast
Craig White
Craig is one of Football Mid North Coast’s senior referees who focuses on developing and coaching FMNC’s younger referees. Craig is around the grounds most match days coaching and assessing referees and still, on occasion, will step in and take on refereeing or assistant refereeing when required.
Craig’s involvement has been as a referee for many years and looks after weekly referee appointments for the northern part of FMNC and somehow finds time to also assist local club Port Saints with MiniRoos game leader appointments each week.
Craig has a strong passion for the game and refereeing and is also a strong supporter of the women’s game. He was part of the push to create girls only MiniRoos competitions when introduced a few seasons ago by FMNC.
Northern Inland Football
Monique Soutter – Wee Waa United FC
Monique contributes so much to Wee Waa United FC, setting up for games and organising kits at the start of the season for distribution.
She has three young children but still manages to look after other kids, organise things before games and attend matches as well as look after senior football in the afternoons.
Hunter Valley Football
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 thanks to Kristen’s commitment.
Newcastle Football
Roz Carter – Maryland Fletcher FC
Roz turns up every week to run the club’s canteen, the grounds and much more. She has been described as “absolutely amazing” and is considered an integral part of the club.
Macquarie Football
Dainis Masens – Morisset United FC
Dainis contributes all of his free time to Morisset United FC. He is involved every day, whether it is at meetings, on the barbecue, in the canteen, opening equipment sheds, coaching or playing.
He never complains and gives everyone in the club his undivided attention. His leadership as president is a shining example to the members of Morisset United FC.
