Peters, Johnston to be inducted into NSW Hall of Champions

Northern NSW football legends Joey Peters and Craig Johnston will be inducted into the NSW Hall of Champions next month.

Peters and Johnston will join an illustrious alumnus of 388 sports greats from 59 sports when they are formally inducted at the prestigious NSW Champions of Sport ceremony at the International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Darling Harbour on 28 November.

A veteran of 110 A internationals, Peters was a pioneer of Australian women’s international football. She was one of the first to play professionally overseas, playing in the US and for the Brazilian team Santos in 2004.

Peters represented Australia in the 1999, 2003 and 2007 FIFA Women's World Cups. At the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, the midfielder scored a goal in a preliminary match against the US. She played for the NSW Sapphires, Northern NSW Pride, Sydney United, Sydney Olympic and Newcastle Jets.

She was awarded the 2009 Australian Women’s Footballer of the Year and named in Football Australia's Hall of Fame 2000's Team of the Decade.

Johnston was the first Australian to play for Liverpool in the English First Division, achieving more than any Australian footballer of his generation, playing in the 1980s for one of the greatest UK teams in football history.

In 271 appearances for Liverpool across seven years, the midfielder won five League Championships, the European Cup, the FA Cup, two League Cups, two Charity Shields and scored 40 goals.

Growing up in Newcastle, Johnston’s junior career started with Lake Macquarie City.

In the 1983-84 season, Johnston was a part of the Liverpool team that won the treble – League Championship, European Cup and the League Cup. While the European Cup is the jewel in football’s crown, scoring the winning goal against Everton at the 1986 FA Cup was a sweet personal moment.

Johnston retired in 1988 at the age of 27.

A true entrepreneur, Johnston invented the Predator boot, taken on by adidas and made famous by players such as David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane.

He was inducted into the Football Australia Hall of Fame in 2005.

Peters and Johnston will be inducted alongside basketballer Brad Dalton, rugby player Phil Kearns, gymnast Prashanth Sellathurai and wheelchair basketball and para sailing athlete Leisl Tesch.

NSW Sport Hall of Champions Committee Chair Alan Whelpton AO said the accomplishments of the six inductees during their distinguished careers made them worthy of selection.

“The six inductees are recognised for their outstanding sports careers which saw them reach the pinnacle of their chosen sport. They represented their country, state, sport and themselves with distinction and inspired a new generation of athletes to follow in their footsteps,” Whelpton said.

Sport NSW Chairperson Carolyn Campbell said the inductees reflected the inclusive nature of sport.

“Sport has the great ability to bring together male and female players of all abilities, shapes, sizes and ethnic backgrounds and provide the opportunity to enjoy organised competitions and the ability to excel and reach the highest levels,” Campbell said.

“These six new inductees to the NSW Hall of Champions have shown the way and we honour their selection."

Hall of Champion inductees are approved by the Minister for Sport following recommendations from the Hall of Champions Selection Committee and NSW peak sporting bodies.

The NSW Hall of Champions is located at the Quaycentre, Sydney Olympic Park.