Northern NSW Football is thrilled to announce the recipients of its Local Champion Awards for April 2024.
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.
Coach of the Month
Anthony Gray
Anthony has taken his club Armidale City Westside FC to new heights since he returned after leaving as a junior.
Members of his club believe that he deserves to be recognised for his tireless efforts.
Since Anthony has taken over the reins, the club has won a premiership and held their own against teams from Sydney in the Nambucca Challenge Cup.
He always helps the club in any way to make sure the junior players have the opportunity to become the best players they can.
Anthony has helped his club to gain recognition as one of the best in town and the only club in the area with five senior teams.
He has grown the club from having two local teams in the senior competition to now two premier league teams and three local teams.
Referee of the Month
Andrew Goulstone
Andrew has been an outstanding asset to Northern Coast Football since he became a green shirt first-year referee in 2023.
He has grown into one of the Zone’s more senior referees in a short period of time and is always willing to learn from other senior referees.
So far this year, Andrew has travelled from Coffs Harbour to Tuncurry to officiate the Vikings Challenge, as well as referee the Nambucca Cup and any Premier Youth League fixtures that are in the area.
He has been described by fellow referees as very easy to work with, absorbs any advice given, can read the game well, manage players effectively and is just an all-round good person.
Volunteer of the Month
Dannielle Donnelly
Dannielle has taken everything within her stride during her time with Southern Lakes United FC.
She is well-loved and a wonderful asset to her club and committee. Dannielle continues to work on promoting and improving women’s football in the area.
The club feels lucky to have people like Dannielle within their football community.
Team of the Month
Cooks Hill U17-1 Girls
The Cooks Hill United FC under-17s girls team were undefeated throughout the 2023 season, crowned premiers and champions.
Most members of the team competed at the NNSWF Champions of Champions in 2023 with the bare minimum of 11 players. The side was undefeated throughout the tournament and won the under-15 girls grand final.
The team are now playing up an age group with some players playing up two age groups.
Player of the Month
Fiona Scanlon
Fiona is a proud life member of the Cessnock City Hornets FC and is the only female player to have played over 300 matches in the yellow and black.
She has also managed her team for over 14 years and is incredibly passionate about her side and the club.
In 2023, her team nearly folded due to losing players but it didn’t stop Fiona from putting herself out there to the community and was able to put together a new team.
Fiona is a dedicated club person, a fantastic teammate, a friend to all and the thread that holds her team together.
Club of the Month
Taree Wildcats FC
The Taree Wildcats FC have done an amazing job on and off the field to promote a positive football culture and environment in the local community.
Since the start of 2023, the club has engaged in the majority of club development opportunities offered to them by NNSWF and Football Mid North Coast.
Taree Wildcats FC successfully hosted summer football in 2023/24 that had almost 400 participants taking part from across the region. They have also hosted inter-club and under-12s gala days in early 2024.
The club has seen participation numbers grow in 2024, reinforcing the hard work the club do to promote football in the area.
Northern NSW Football General Manager Member Services Ross Hicks congratulated the recipients and thanked them for their contributions to football in northern NSW.
“Without people like Anthony, Andrew, Fiona and Dannielle as well as clubs like Taree Wildcats FC and Cooks Hill United FC we wouldn’t have a game. They make football what it is in our region,” Hicks said.
“It is the recipient's commitment to their clubs, teams and community football that makes the game and improves the experience of playing football for the people around them.
“We thank them for their contribution and congratulate them on being named NNSWF Local Champion Awards winners for April. We wish them all the very best for the rest of the 2024 season.”
Monthly award winners are also nominated for the annual Local Champion Awards in October.
