NNSWF announces Local Champion Awards for September

Northern NSW Football is delighted to announce the recipients of its Local Champion Awards for September.

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.

Club of the Month
Southern Lakes United

Southern Lakes United FC have persevered to overcome the difficulties 2022 has presented to all football clubs. This was exacerbated by the disappointment caused by their new facility at Cooranbong not being ready for this season.

The club has grown from 98 members in 2019 to 358 this season with room for further future growth. The club’s growth can also be somewhat measured by competition teams enjoying success in the final series.

Southern Lakes United are well managed and offer great opportunities for all players, referees and coaches.

Coach of the Month
Sam Edmonds

Sam volunteered to coach his younger brother’s under-14s team at Lochinvar Rovers this season. He has a passion for football and working with children. Sam is described as kind and compassionate and has a lovely rapport with the children.

The players’ interactions with Sam show they respect and appreciate his advice and knowledge. He has maintained a positive attitude this season despite the challenges brought on by the wet weather.

Sam is an excellent role model for his young players. He is dedicated and caring and takes time to encourage and develop all his players not only as a player but as a person.

Player of the Month
Gemma Wong

Gemma has been playing for the last eight years and has always loved the team aspect of football. She is the quintessential team player, always quick to lift her team with encouraging comments as well as leading by example on the field.

Gemma plays under-13s with South Cardiff FC but often fills in for the mixed under-15s team as well to help them out for numbers where she holds her own.

In a year where her teammates were plagued by injury and illness, Gemma has covered every position except goalkeeper and given her all every game. She loves the community spirit at South Cardiff FC and is often found performing game leader duties, assistant refereeing youth games and mentoring junior girls teams in her spare time.

Referee of the Month
Matt Hall

Northern Inland referee Matt Hall is committed to refereeing and improving his game. He is a regular first grade referee in Tamworth, a noteworthy effort given he has achieved the level in only a few seasons.

Matt undertook a Level 3 referee course to improve his knowledge. Tamworth grew its referee numbers this year with around 20 13 to 15-year-olds and Matt, without being asked, took it on himself to start a weekly fitness and theory training session open to these young referees to help them in their first season as a match official.

Matt has introduced his three sons to refereeing and hopes to share the field with them when he can be fourth official with his sons on field.

Team of the Month
Medowie FC under-17s

Medowie FC is proud to have had an outstanding group of young men represent their club in the under-17s competition this season.

The team have struggled for numbers at times and have always demonstrated their appreciation for young players that have filled gaps.

They have played fair on the field and always played with determination to succeed. A number of team members also contribute time around the club as game leaders, refereeing and will always act as an assistant referee for senior games if required.

Volunteer of the Month
Laura Vines

Laura is a player and volunteer for Corindi Red Rock Breakers where she puts her heart and soul into the local football community to ensure a positive experience for everyone.

She is a tenacious, talented and committed player in the women’s second division and over-30s women’s competitions, always giving 100 per cent. Laura is one of the fairest and most passionate players and loved by her teammates. Her fair play, integrity and spirit is to be admired.

Laura is also secretary of the North Coast Football club and has gone above and beyond this year during challenging times with wet weather hampering many games and plans for fundraising. She has put her hand up multiple times to create relationships and forge alliances to ensure players get match time so the club can continue to fulfill a football season. When help is needed, she is one of the first to answer the call.

Laura does all this while working as a primary school teacher and being a mum to four young children from the ages of 11-months-old and 10-years-old, two of which play for the Breakers.

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 Laura, Matt, Gemma and Sam as well as clubs like Medowie FC and Southern Lakes United 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 September. We wish them all the very best for the rest of the 2022 season.”

Monthly award winners are also nominated for the annual Local Champion Awards in October.