Northern NSW Football is delighted to announce the recipients of its Local Champion Awards for May 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
Taine Love
Taine stepped up with a fellow player to coach Bellbird Junior Football Club’s All Age Women’s E grade team.
Members of the team range from 19 to 55-years-old and most have never played before. Taine is a supportive and caring coach, constantly speaking positively to each player and helping to boost their confidence.
Taine has a wealth of knowledge as a player which he has taken into his coaching, putting his time aside to volunteer and help others with their game.
Player of the Month
Cara Anderson
Cara plays at Wauchope Football Club and is an all-rounded club person. She is an accomplished player, always happy to play in any position the team needs her to and is a mentor to other players.
On the field, Cara supports and encourages her teammates, especially the youth players that are playing up in the women’s competition.
She is always giving back to the club by training junior teams and assisting wherever is needed.
Referee of the Month
Matilda Armstrong – Northern NSW Football Referees
Northern NSW Football Referee Matilda Armstrong is a fair referee, with excellent knowledge of the game.
Matilda makes strong decisions, using her voice and whistle exceptionally throughout each game.
Volunteer of the Month
Mick Young
Mick is a valued volunteer for Moree Junior Soccer Club as the club’s registrar. He goes above and beyond to get as many kids playing football as possible, squeezing kids into teams where he can. Mick is always taking phone calls and messages at all hours of the day to help the club out.
“Mick is a fantastic choice to receive Volunteer of the Month. He is doing amazing work with the Moree Junior Soccer Club and is a pleasure to collaborate with,” Northern Inland Regional Football Officer Mitch O’Keefe said.
Team of the Month
Merewether Football Club Under-8s Girls Oysters
Merewether Football Club are proud to have a group of amazing young girls represent their club in the under-8s team, the Oysters.
The team rally around each other and are happy to take on new positions without hesitation. Each of the girls are committed and enthusiastic, displaying sportsmanship every week.
Club of the Month
Coutts Crossing – North Coast Football
In 2023, Coutts Crossing’s women's team were given the news that there were not enough female teams nominated in their Zone for a competition to run.
The club still wanted to play so went out into the local region to try and recruit more players. After still coming up short, someone suggested that they should run a midweek competition instead. This has proved to be highly successful, with the competition running with four teams and many women still keen to register.
Coutts Crossing have also recently achieved their level one accreditation in the Game Changer club development program. This allowed the club to go into the draw to be flag bearers at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The club was successful in being selected and will be involved in the match on Friday 28 July.
Northern NSW Football General Manager Community Football Ross Hicks congratulated the recipients and thanked them for their contribution to football in northern NSW.
“Without people like Taine, Cara, Matilda and Mick as well as clubs like Merewether Football Club and Coutts Crossing, 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 May. 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.
