Ron Hughes awarded George Churchward medal while Keith Pester awarded Charles Valentine Medal at 2012 State Dinner

NSW Minister for Sport and Recreation Graham Annesley, Association Presidents, Life Members and other distinguished guests came together to recognise and acknowledge the elite few who have provided consistent and invaluable service at the community level.
State Awards
The night kicked off with the presentation of the State Award winners. State Award winners are nominated by their Association in recognition of their tireless efforts and service to football in their local community.
The 2012 State Award Winners are:
Carlo Villani                   Football Albury Wodonga
Anne Gedz                    Bankstown District Amateur Football Association
Margaret Duncan           Blacktown & Districts Soccer Football Association
Michael Bourdoulis        Canterbury & District Soccer Football Association
Peter Dent                    Football South Coast
Neil Hopkins                 Gladesville Hornsby Football Association
Eugenio La Riva            Griffith & District Football Association
Roy Sider                     Manly Warringah Football Association
Lesley Tarlinton             Nepean Districts Soccer Football Association
Paul Woolford               North West Sydney Womens Football
Hugh Gulpers                Southern Districts Soccer Football Association
Brian Plummer               Western Plains Soccer Association
Charles Valentine Medal
The 2012 Charles Valentine Medal was presented to Mr Keith Pester.  
This was the first time that this most honoured award has been presented at the State Dinner and was presented on this occasion due to Keith?s dual contribution to both representative and association football over many years with Manly United FC and Manly Warringah Football.     
One of the highest awards that can be bestowed upon a person involved in representative football, Keith has been involved in football since 1976 and has been instrumental in the development of football and player development pathways in the Manly area as well as giving a lifetime of commitment to the development of Cromer Park, the home of football in Manly Warringah.
Fair Play Award
Up next was the 2012 Fair Play Award.  The Fair Play Award recognises those who have demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship and fair play during the footballing season.
Minchinbury Jets U16/2 team fittingly scooped up the award after an inspiring act of goodwill and sportsmanship. This award was accepted on behalf of the team by Minchinbury Jets club President Glen Overton and team coach Lincoln Jurd.
George Churchward Medal
The night?s final and most honoured award, The George Churchward Medal ? presented annually to an individual who has exemplified an outstanding commitment to the sport ? was awarded to Mr. Ron Hughes from the Southern Districts Soccer Football Association.
Ron Hughes is well regarded as the gentleman of football and has given many tireless years of service to football and the community.    Involved with the Liverpool Rangers club for over 27 years, Ron has held various positions including Publicity Officer and as Club Registrar for the past 25 years.  
Ron has been a member of the Southern Districts Soccer Football Association committee for the past 26 years and during this time held positions on the Liverpool District Women?s soccer committee and Liverpool Sports Council. In 1988 Ron became the Association?s Publicity Officer and in 1994 was elected Association Secretary and still holds this position.
During this time Ron also served on the Board of the former Sydney Branch as Secretary and Vice President and as delegate and Board Member with the former NSW Amateur Soccer Federation prior to unification and then as delegate to Soccer NSW Council of Associations and Football NSW.
Ron has worked tirelessly to develop a more inclusive culture throughout football in the district and his determination and passion in supporting the soccer family includes those from disadvantaged and culturally diverse backgrounds.
Ron was also official photographer for the Australian Soccer Weekly for some years and in combining his love of football and photography spends many hours at the grounds taking photos of junior games and passing the photos onto clubs for their players at no cost to the parents.
Ron was awarded Life Membership of Southern Districts Association in 1993 and of Liverpool Rangers Football Club in 2000.   He was awarded the Liverpool Bi-Centenary Community Award in 2009 and was recognised by Football NSW with a State Award in 2004.
Football NSW congratulates Ron Hughes on winning the 2012 George Churchward Medal.