John Jones awarded George Churchward Medal
Football NSW’s State Dinner was held at the Novotel Homebush over the weekend in what was a fantastic celebration of community football with Sutherland Association’s John Jones awarded the prestigious George Churchward Medal.
NSW Minister for Sport and Recreation the Honourable Gabrielle Upton, FFA CEO David Gallop, Mayor of Blacktown Councilor Len Robinson, Executive Director at NSW Sport and Recreation Paul Doorn, Schools Sports Executive Officer, NSW Combined Catholic Colleges Kym Skerritt, Primary Schools Sports’ Ann-Marie Miranda, Life Members and Football NSW Directors all came together to recognise and acknowledge the elite few who have provided consistent and invaluable service at the community level.
Hosted by Football NSW President Greg O’Rourke, the evening 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.
State Awards formally recognise individuals who have provided consistent and valuable service at any level – Club, Association, Branch or State.
These contributions may include services such as: committee member, coach, manager, match official, canteen manager or grounds person.
The 2013 State Award Winners are:
Sue Rixon & David Pye Football Albury Wodonga
George Dionisopoulos Bankstown District Amateur Football Association
Carlo Ianni Canterbury & District Soccer Football Association
Bruno Cristallo Eurobodalla Association
Joe Seco Football South Coast
Glenda Mannweiler Griffith & District Football Association
Ian Campbell Highlands Association
Cheryl Wright Macarthur Association
Richard Wright Manly Warringah Association
Sharon Slender Nepean Association
Leigh Wardell North West Sydney Women’s Association
Christopher Gamble Shoalhaven Association
Lorraine Peel Southern Districts Association
To view a biography on each State Award winner click here
Fair Play Award
The evening also saw Football NSW award it’s official Fair Play Award to the FC Bossy Liverpool Youth 16/2 team from the Southern Districts Football Association which was accepted by FC Bossy Youth President Andrew Duranovic and Committee Member Zijad Hadzic.
The Football NSW Fair Play Award recognises those who have demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship and fair play during the season.
The FC Bossy team’s display of fair play occurred on Sunday 21 July 2013 when the U16/2 team attended Amalfi Reserve for their scheduled match against Bossley Sports Club only to find that no official referee was available. In the interest of players it was agreed that an unofficial referee would officiate.
As is sometimes the case mistakes occur and on this occasion the referee awarded a penalty against the Bossley Sports team for a handball in the penalty box. The Bossley team disputed the call as they saw that the ball had clearly hit the player’s chest and not his hand or arm. The referee stood by the decision and Bossley accepted it and continued with the game.
At this point number 10 from FC Bossy took the ball and placed it on the penalty spot, when the referee indicated he could take the penalty the FC Bossy player deliberately kicked the ball out, indicating that the Bossy team supported the Bossley Sports Club team in their opinion that the decision was incorrect.
At the time the score was 0-0 so it was a heartening decision that the FC Bossy team had chosen to not take opportunity to score from the penalty.
The President of Bossley Sports Club wrote to the President of FC Bossy to inform him of the wonderful display of sportsmanship by the Number 10 player and all of the players and coaching staff of the team and especially given this is usually a highly competitive age group.
George Churchward Medal
The night’s final and most honoured award, The George Churchward Medal, who was present on the evening, presented annually to an individual who has exemplified an outstanding commitment to the sport was awarded to Mr. John Jones from the Sutherland Football Association.
John Jones commenced his association with football in 1945 as a keen player with the Sutherland Casuals and retired in 2010 after 37 years as a highly respected administrator with Sutherland Association.
John became a committee member of Lilli Pilli FC in 1973 and worked tirelessly as Secretary and then as club President, as position he held for 16 years.
During this time, under John’s guidance, the club grew by over 60% to become the largest and arguably the most successful club in the Shire and one of the largest in NSW with over 1200 players.
John was elected to the Sutherland Association Committee in 1998 and continued in as a Member of the Executive until his retirement in 2010. During this time he served as Committee Member, Association Vice President for 9 years and Chair of the Disciplinary Committee and Disciplinary Panel for many years.
John was also instrumental in the modernisation of the Association’s disciplinary procedures and has been a driving force to the updating of the Constitution and Rules over the last decade.
An active supporter of the Sutherland Rep sides, John has also been a tireless worker in the canteen and as Ground official and has represented the Association as Delegate to Football NSW at forums, meetings, appeal hearings and AGM.
Since his retirement John has remained actively involved with the Association on the Disciplinary Committee and as Project Manager for the $750,000 Harrie Dening Complex renovations, overseeing the largest football development in the Shire and continues to function as Council Liaison and Project Overseer for many capital works and projects ongoing at the complex.
John is highly regarded for his services in the Shire being awarded Life Membership of Lilli Pill FC in 1978, the Sutherland Shire Merit Award in 1981, Honorary Player Life Member in 1998 and Life Member of Sutherland Shire Football Association in 2007.
In 1999 John was awarded a State Award by Football NSW and in 2000 was presented the Cook Community Award for services to the local community.
The evening was treated to a surprise in the entertainment stakes as Australia’s number one stand-up ventriloquist Darren Carr performed his one man and a cast of several show in what was a hit with the audience.
It was a fantastic evening as Football NSW’s grassroots community embraced in what was a spectacular season for all involved.
-Football NSW Media Release
