VALE: Ron Hughes

Football NSW was saddened to hear the news of the passing of well-respected administrator and a former George Churchward medal winner, Ron Hughes.

Ron Hughes was well regarded as the gentleman of football in NSW, especially in the Southern Districts Soccer Football Association (SDSFA) and gave many tireless years of service to the sport and the community.

Involved with the Liverpool Rangers club for over 27 years, Ron held various positions which included the club’s Publicity Officer as well as the Club Registrar for over 25 years.

Ron was on the committee of the SDSFA for 26 years and during that 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.

During this time Ron also served on the Board of the former Sydney Branch for 3 years as Secretary and Vice President and as delegate and Board Member with the former NSW Amateur Soccer Federation for 2 years prior to unification and then as delegate to Soccer NSW Council of Associations and Football NSW.

Ron worked tirelessly to develop a more inclusive culture throughout football in the district and his determination and passion in supporting the football family included those from disadvantaged and culturally diverse backgrounds.

Ron was also an official photographer for the Australian & British Soccer Weekly for some years and combined his love of football and photography which also saw him spend countless hours at 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 at SDSFA 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.

One of Ron’s proudest achievements was being awarded Football NSW’s prestigious George Churchward Medal for his outstanding contribution and dedication to the game of football in 2012, such was the respect the code had for one of the most likeable characters in our sport.

All of Football NSW sends its condolences to the Hughes family, those closest to Ron, and everyone he impacted through football over the years.