Lindsay Cosgrove awarded the 2009 George Churchward Medal

Football NSW President Jim Forrest and Barry Brooks from BJS Insurance presented the award to Cosgrove in front of a capacity crowd at the Football NSW State Dinner attended by the NSW Minister for Sport and Recreation Kevin Greene, Member for Riverstone John Aquilina, Directors, Life Members, Association Presidents and Special Guests.
Recognised for his outstanding contribution to football in the Southern Tablelands, Cosgrove has been involved with the STFA (Southern Tablelands Football Association) for close to 40 years.
He first got involved with the sport in 1972 when he became the club secretary and coach for the Under 8 East Goulburn Soccer Club thanks to his sons who wanted to be part of the round ball game. After developing his love for the game he turned his attentions to the STFA Association in 1973 where he was the recorder and then took over the Under 12 representative side in 1974 which commenced his 25-year stint coaching representative teams in the Southern Branch area.
Lindsay has done it all since his passion for football kick started holding down positions as a Publicity Officer, Secretary, Treasurer, Appointments Officer and referee.
On a list of many other achievements Lindsay encountered was also receiving Life Membership of the NSW Amateur Soccer Federation and in 1990 was one of the first to receive the special ?State Award Certificate? for service to football in the Southern Tablelands. A year later and Lindsay received a special ?State Award? and a unique gold pin for service to football in the state of NSW.
During the late 80s and early 90s Lindsay took on working on the council owned Goodhew Park, the Southern Tablelands? home ground. In 1993 when the Hockey Association moved from their park, he urged the Association to take over the Crown Land Reserve. For the next ten years as well as his employment as a train driver, he worked almost every day with little or no funds in making the complex into the best in NSW.
It is safe to say that over the last 40 years, Lindsay Cosgrove has always been relied upon in giving his best to the world game and continues to give so much to the game of football.
The medal, named in honour of Life Member and Chairman’s Medallist George Churchward, recognises an outstanding contribution to the code over and above what would normally be expected of a person in the positions they hold or have held in association football and at other levels and is the highest possible acknowledgement at state level.

To explain by example, the original medalist, George Churchward, contributed over 35 years of service at state level.  Throughout this period, he guided the state body through years of operationally black budgets to a healthy surplus to hand over to his successor.  He played a major part in the development of the organisation, and was closely involved in management roles with state teams. 
Another medalist was an international player (for Ireland), John Best, who returned to the Bankstown Association as an active referee, Youth League coach, and very hard working local club member.  He was a Life Member of the Referees Branch, of Bankstown Association and of Crest Soccer Club.
Football NSW congratulates Lindsay Cosgrove on winning the 2009 George Churchward Medal.
Previous George Churchward Winners
1993 ? George Churchward
1994 – John Best
1995 – Harrie Dening 
1996 – Fred Bones
1997 – Frank Broughton
1998 – John Hedison
1999 – David Crampton
2000 – Harold Gill
2001 – Larry Grant
2002 – Frank Wilson
2003 – Bill Cullinan
2004 – Jim Forrest
2005 – Florence Stephenson
2006 – Linda Ward
2007 – Ray Tweedie
2008- Angelo Dotta
2009 ? Lindsay Cosgrove

-By Mark Stavroulakis