A total of 21 recipients from a wide cross-section of sports were presented with Distinguished Long Service Awards at the Sydney event this week at CommBank Stadium from Sports Minister Steve Kamper.

The volunteers were honoured for decades of dedicated and selfless service to their respective sports.

Sport NSW Chairperson, Chris Hall, said volunteers were the “backbone of grassroots and community sport” and should be recognised.

“The NSW Community Sports Awards are the highest honours for community and grassroots sport in the state. It is fitting these award recipients and finalists are recognised and honoured,” Mr Hall said.

“Sport is at the heart of our local communities and, quite simply, sport would not exist without our magnificent volunteers.”

Clinton Mallett of Goonellabah – Hockey

Mallett started playing hockey when he was 10 years old and has been a member of Far North Coast Hockey for 61 years.

He has held numerous positions from subcommittee member to executive roles and has previously served as president for 16 years, Far North Coast Hockey Complex Manager and is currently the secretary.

Mallett was awarded life membership of the East Lismore Hockey Club in 1983/84 and a Life member of the Far North Coast Junior Hockey Association in 1985/86.

As a Board Member of the NSW Junior Hockey Association in 1986/87 he would travel by bus to Sydney on a Saturday evening once a month to attend meetings, but NSW Sport would fly him home.

In 1987 Far North Coast Hockey Incorporated was formed, and Mallett was the founding secretary of that group.

Their primary goal was to develop a synthetic surface for FNC, and that inaugural group consisted of Rhonda Mathers (President), Rhelma Savins, Jaye Hannigan, Clint Mallett (Secretary), Trevor Dancer and Barry Carney (Treasurer). Trevor Dancer left the group and was replaced by Steve Garbutt. The Group delivered a Balsam sand filled surface for the 1994 season.

In that time the group facilitated the development and construction of the FNC Clubhouse and the upgrade of Turf 1 from a sand filled to water filled surface.

In conjunction with the late Tony Porter, he headed up the restructure of the association by combining the Men’s Hockey Association (juniors as part of men’s) and Women’s Hockey Associations into one Far North Coast Hockey, introduced for the 2015 season.

During his tenure as complex manager he was a part of a group that facilitated the development and construction of turf 2 and the upgrade of turf 1 to new water filled Tiger Turf surfaces and ancillaries.

Barry Antella OAM of Naremburn – Surf Life Saving

Antella has been member of Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club since 1994 and holds life membership across club, branch, and state levels.

With over 25 years of officiating experience, including at the prestigious Aussies Championships, Antella’s expertise and dedication are unmatched.

In addition to his officiating role, Antella serves as a training officer and official assessor, sharing his knowledge and mentoring the next generation of officials.

As a volunteer, he manages and maintains SLSNSW competition gear and equipment, ensuring the safety and success of championship events. His commitment extends beyond the competition season, as he regularly visits SLSNSW head office to improve equipment standards year-round.

Antella’s personable demeanour and rapport with fellow officials and competitors alike have made him a respected figure within the surf lifesaving community. His contributions exemplify distinguished service, embodying the values of excellence, integrity, and camaraderie cherished by the organisation and the broader community.

Jenny Bailey of Lambton – Northern NSW Football

Bailey has been honoured for her decades of unwavering service to football.

Bailey has been a volunteer and served on the committee in various roles with Lambton Jaffas Junior Football Club for 34 years and is a life member.

Her familiar face is around the ground several days a week, especially on match days providing advice, assisting referees and coaches, assisting in the canteen, and making sure all participants are having an enjoyable experience.

In 2017, Bailey was also awarded life membership of Newcastle Football for her dedication and commitment to the club and football in general over many years.

“It’s a great honour,” Ms Bailey said.

Margi Bohm of Queanbeyan – Paddle

Bohm has been a club member of Burley Griffin Canoe Club (BGCC) since 1993 and has been heavily involved with coaching, running clinics and beginner courses, advising triathlon safety boats, organising events and has been a committee member.

She has been a selector for World Championships, as well as taking high performance paddlers to South Africa to experience world class racing.

She is on the PA Marathon Committee and heavily involved in updating training for coaches.

Colleen Brook of Wilberforce – Equestrian

Brook started teaching as a junior instructor in the late 1960s. As her competition career became more successful, there was more demand for teaching.

In the mid 1980s, Equestrian Australia hired Swedish army major Tor Burman to create a coaching system for Australia.

Brook was in the first group to be accredited. As a coach educator, Brook attended assessment days all over the country, and still helps every week with coach training.

She coaches A Level 3, general and showjumping events.

Francis ‘Bernie’ Delaney of Estella – Rugby League

Delaney has contributed to rugby league across a multitude of roles including Group 9 junior rugby league president, club coach, club trainer, field line marker, board member, and the development of young men and women through RISE Academy programs.

More recently, Delaney has been the coach of the Estella Storm women’s tackle team in their inaugural Group 9 season.

This competition commenced in 2024 and Delaney rallied around to find sponsorship and independently entered the team into the competition.

Beverly Dew OAM of North Balgowlah – Netball

Dew, who hails from the Manly Warringah Netball Association, has been a stalwart of the game for many decades.

She received the Anne Clark Service Award in 2006, and the Order of Australia Medal for services to netball in the same year.

In March 2024, Dew was further recognised with the prestigious Netball NSW Waratah Service Award which is presented to an individual that has provided distinguished service to Netball NSW as an organisation or operational volunteer for at least 10 years.

Her service record includes Netball NSW Junior Vice President, Netball NSW Magazine Committee, Netball NSW Umpires Committee, Netball NSW Tournament co-ordinator, Netball NSW promotions officer, Netball NSW night tournament manager, and is currently serving on the Netball NSW Historical and Archiving Committee.

Neil Holmes of Kingswood – Rowing

Holmes has made a massive contribution to rowing in many capacities at club, state, and national level over several decades, including working as the finish timer/result compiler for NSWIS/NSW HPP time trials for more than 25 years.

He is a regular volunteer at Rowing NSW regattas in whatever role is required, most often assisting with driving an umpire’s boat or with bow number distribution.

He is known around the country for his work as boat park manager for the Sydney International Regatta Centre/Australian Rowing Championships from 2013-2019.

Holmes is also heavily involved in bump in and bump out for national regattas.

Warren Jarrett of Rutherford – Cricket

Jarrett has devoted an extraordinary 43 years of continuous service to the Western Suburbs Cricket Club, significantly impacting both the club and the broader cricket community in the region.

His deep commitment and tireless dedication across various roles have been pivotal in sustaining and developing the club’s operations and nurturing the sport within the community.

His efforts in fundraising through club raffles have secured essential funds that contribute to the club’s sustainability and its ability to offer quality cricket experiences.

His leadership and volunteerism have fostered a strong community spirit and have been vital in mentoring younger members and volunteers.

Maree Kirby of Doyalson – Motorcycling

Kirby has played a pivotal role in the administration of the Lower Mountains Motorcycle Club for more than 30 years and embodies the spirit of motorcycling as evidenced by the countless hours she invests behind the scenes to ensure the successful organisation of events.

She has been a dedicated volunteer and official at motocross events, ranging from local club competitions to state level championships for many years.

Kirby continues to give back to the sport by presenting the Motorcycling Australia Officials Courses to all up-and-coming officials across the State and is also member of the Motocross Sports Committee.

George Louie of Queens Park – Dragon Boat

Louie has been honoured for his decades of service to dragon boating.

Louie has volunteered for dragon boating clubs for over 40 years and has performed many different functions including an administrator, leader, coach, or sweep.

He created the first club in Australia, Dragon Sports Australia in 1983, and was integral in establishing the first overarching body in Australia, Dragon Boat NSW in 1994.

He sat on the Dragon Boat NSW Board and is a Life Member of Dragon Boat NSW.

Louie has been President of his club Dragon Sports Association. He has held the role of head coach for NSW and for his club.

He has coached Australian teams and has been the sweep for his country, state and club.

John Martin of Jaspers Brush – Basketball

Martin is a revered figure in Australian basketball and is celebrated for his multifaceted contributions.

His legacy embodies a lifetime of excellence, teaching, and skill, profoundly shaping the landscape of basketball in Australia.

Initially renowned for his administrative work in NSW country basketball and Shoalhaven basketball, he later became synonymous with refereeing at both state and national levels.

His six-year tenure as an NBL referee and prestigious awards, including the Don Hutton Memorial Medal, underscore his impact on the sport. Internationally, Martin played pivotal roles in Australian and FIBA basketball, serving in various capacities at world championship and Olympic events.

As the first FIBA accredited international referee instructor in Australia, he conducted clinics across Oceania.

Martin’s dedication earned him life memberships of Shoalhaven Basketball, Basketball NSW, and Basketball Australia.

He has also been inducted into both Basketball NSW Hall of Fame and Basketball Australia Hall of Fame and recognised with the FIBA Radomer Shaper Award in 2010.

Heather Mitchell of Miranda – Athletics

Mitchell is one of the most well respected and knowledgeable athletics technical officials in Australia and has been volunteering at clubs, in schools, at Little Athletics, interclub, state, Australian and international meets and championships for 44 years.

She started her journey in athletics in 1980 and has over the last four plus decades, received life membership recognition from Athletics Australia, Athletics NSW, Sutherland Club, Port Hacking Little Athletics Centre, NSW Racewalking Club and Little Athletics NSW.

Her extraordinary service to the sport has also included administration, state team management, as a board member, AGM returning officer, club committees, state selector and a role on the championship organising committee.

She is also an international race walking judge and officiated at many major events including the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games and the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India.

John Oliver of Wagga Wagga – Orienteering

Oliver began orienteering in Victoria in the late 1960s and has competed at all levels including representing Australia at the 1974, 1976 and 1978 World Orienteering Championships.

Coaching has been his foremost contribution, especially youth programs. He has been instrumental in delivering orienteering training to school students (both personally and as a co-ordinator) through the Australian Government’s Sporting Schools programs.

He also organised the regional Riverina Schools Orienteering Championships for more than a decade and has been a strong advocate in the take up of Orienteering Australia’s new ‘Learn to Orienteer’ program.

Wagga and Riverina orienteers (Waggaroos) run an annual training weekend and Oliver has been responsible for planning and co-ordinating training activities for the club. He has also worked with other sports in Wagga Wagga promoting orienteering as a cross-training sport.

Barbara Pearson of Mosman – Gymnastics

Pearson has been involved with Gymnastics NSW for decades – 40 years acting as a judging official alone.

She has been a coach and involved with program administration at Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy school for 10 years and with club administration at Mosman and Bunnerong Clubs since 1980.

She has been a Women’s Artistic Gymnastics judge since 1984 and judged countless times at Regional, State and National competitions. She has been a stalwart for judges assembly administration and treasurer since 1998 – a role she still holds today.

Stan Pedersen (deceased) of Baulkham Hills – Tennis

Pedersen, who passed away in April, began his volunteer tennis administration journey in 1956 when he started the junior tennis competition in Newcastle when aged 19.

Later he joined the Newcastle District Tennis Association committee and served as President for 18 years where he was awarded Life Membership.

Pedersen became involved in the NSW Hardcourt Tennis Association in 1974 where his service was unbroken until his recent passing.

He was secretary and a life member.

He was also a board member of Tennis NSW from 1976-2009 and was inducted as a life member of Tennis NSW in 2004.

He served on numerous Tennis NSW committees including the executive board, strategic planning, appeals, player development, finance, and membership committees. He was also on the Tennis Australia Player development board.

Glenn Pincott of Blue Haven – Motorsport

Pincott has been an active motorsport official since 1988, servicing the community in a range of roles from community grassroots motorsport the upper echelons of the sport.

He quickly moved into senior roles and obtained his gold scrutiny licence with log book endorsement and went on to hold senior roles including technical commissioner for a national category.

Pincott has held positions as chief scrutineer at the Australian Grand Prix, Amaroo Park, Bathurst, Sydney Motor Sport Park, and Sydney Motorsport Park.

He was the 2023 Series Steward for the Toyota Gazoo Australia 86 Series and also officiates as a steward at supercars events as well as state championship circuit racing events.

Ronald Pollett of Tregear – Little Athletics

For over three decades, Pollett has selflessly dedicated himself to the development and success of the Mount Druitt Little Athletics Centre, officiating at countless events, mentoring fellow officials, and contributing to the growth and improvement of its programs.

His tireless efforts, expertise, and passion for athletics have made a profound impact on the lives of countless young athletes, families, and community members.

His leadership, guidance, and commitment to excellence have inspired others to follow in his footsteps and has fostered a culture of inclusivity, respect, and sportsmanship.

Warren Rosser OAM of Brighton Le Sands – Judo

Rosser, a 1988 Olympian in Judo and former multiple Australian champion, has devoted over 30 years in teaching and developing the sport at the University of NSW judo club.

His untiring efforts in his innovative “Kids’ Judo” program, which began from small beginnings in 1996, has grown to the point where he has now introduced many thousands of children to the sport.

Many of his young charges have progressed to international and even Olympic honours.

Rosser’s programs, with their emphasis on fun and personal development, are recognised across Australia and internationally as a model for teaching judo to children.

He has also been active in bringing judo techniques to other sports, teaching safe falling, and tackling techniques to many of the country’s leading rugby union, rugby league, and AFL clubs.

John Turnbull of Erina – Touch Football

Turnbull has been involved with The Central Coast Touch Association for over 35 years and has been a state-graded referee since 2005.

He is a longstanding volunteer and has been dedicated to Central Coast Touch, the Hunter Western Hornets region and to New South Wales Touch Football.

He is currently a Level 6 referee and has officiated at several NSW Touch events, along with delivering high quality referee courses for his affiliates and within his region.

Armando Gardiman AM of Haberfield – Football

Gardiman has been a player, team official, and administrator for over 40 years.

He has been, and continues to be, an advocate for marginalised groups and communities.

Each year, any honoraria offered to him has been directed towards funding the registration costs of young boys and girls from emerging communities.

He has also championed the cause of female participation in football. It was his initiative to employ a female football development officer and has advocated for Football Canterbury to invest money and resources in female-specific programs – including officiating, coaching, and playing.

Additionally, he campaigned for females to hold board portfolios, which in 2023, saw more female directors than male directors comprise the board of directors at Football Canterbury.

As a lawyer, Gardiman has provided legal advice and strategy services to several associations, volunteers, and paid officers within the game on a pro bono basis.

He has also acted as a lobbyist in advocating for community football at local, state, and federal government levels.

He has been recognised for his services to the game with Football NSW’s George Churchward Medal (2023), Vince and Val Laws Medal (2022), Cec Barlow Award (2018), Life Member of Football Canterbury (2018), Member of the Order of Australia (AM) (2016) and Football NSW State Award (2007).