Northern NSW Football is thrilled to announce the recipients of its Local Champion Awards for July 2023.
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
Courtney Nelson
Courtney is an extremely dedicated and passionate coach to her Under-10s girl's team at Alstonville FC. She has coached the team for many years and during this time has done an exemplary job of developing each player’s skills and confidence. Courtney has a lot of knowledge of the game and is patient when teaching the girls new skills. She has created a strong cohesion within her team, making feel both payers and parents feel welcome to each game and training session.
Courtney is not only an uplifting and inspiring role model to her team, but also to all the young girls coming through Alstonville Football Club.
Player of the Month
Bailey Mulder
Bailey is a fantastic player and asset to the Belmont Swansea Under-13s team. He is dedicated and respected by his team both on and off the field. Bailey has a great passion for the game and is always participating in extra training sessions so that he can improve his football skills. He is enjoying a fantastic season scoring and assisting goals whilst having fun with his teammates.
Referee of the Month
Cooper Lamb
Cooper is a valued referee of North Coast Football. He started refereeing this season and has jumped straight into it. Cooper listens and learns from the feedback he receives, making sure to incorporate it into the next game. Cooper is passionate about refereeing and always looking to progress his skills.
Volunteer of the Month
Kristy Ragno
Kristy is Tuncurry Forster FC’s president, secretary, canteen manager, amenities cleaner and everything in between. She does a massive amount of work to keep the club running smoothly. Kristy had one of the goals for this season to bring the club back to feeling like a family, which has successfully started to do. She has taken on a lot of pressure and has done a lot of organisation for the club but is doing an amazing job.
The club said that they are very lucky to have Kristy as their president in 2023 and are glad that she is getting some well-deserved recognition.
Team of the Month
Tilligerry United FC Women’s Over-30s
Tilligerry United FC’s Women’s Over-30s is a team all about having fun. They laugh if they win and they laugh if they lose. The team support each other at every game, taking a photo at every match and sticking around for a catch up after the final whistle. Some of the players came from a team that fell apart last season and others are returning to sport after a break to give football a go again. The team is everything that the club hoped that it would be and are excited for the Over-30s women's competition to grow in the hope that more women can experience the fun that they have each week.
Club of the Month
Swansea FC
Swansea FC have 579 registered players in the 2023 season with 41% of players being female. The club were awarded the NNSWF Female Football Week Club of the Year in recognition of their contribution and commitment to female football. The club are have made strides in making the club a more female-inclusive environment.
The club have excelled in promoting female football within the community, holding many come-and-try days to assist in the significant growth of female participation within the club. Swansea FC now have female teams of all ages, from under-5s to All Age and over-30s, bringing their female participation up to 40.9 percent which they are incredibly proud of.
The club committee also planned a MiniRoos Gala Day to give kids an opportunity to play more football to complete season 2023 which has sold out.
Northern NSW Football Community Football Manager Ross Hicks congratulated the recipients and thanked them for their contribution to football in northern NSW.
“Without people like Courtney, Bailey, Cooper and Kristy as well as clubs like Tilligerry United FC and Swansea FC we wouldn’t have a game. They make football what it is in our region,” Hicks said.
“It is their commitment to their clubs, teams and football community that make 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 July. We wish them all the very best for the rest of the 2023 season.”
Monthly award winners are also nominated for the annual Local Champion Awards in October.
