Football NSW Celebrates Community Heroes at 2026 State Dinner
From a remarkable 35 years of service to grassroots football to extraordinary acts of sportsmanship and the emergence of future leaders, the Football NSW State Dinner celebrated the people, clubs and associations making a lasting difference across the game.
Football NSW’s 2026 State Dinner brought the community football family together for an evening of recognition and celebration, held for the first time in the Brighton Ballroom at The Brighton Hotel, Brighton-Le-Sands, on Saturday.
Hosted by Stephanie Brantz, the evening welcomed Football NSW Directors, Life Members and distinguished guests from across the state to recognise the outstanding individuals, volunteers, clubs and associations who continue to strengthen football at every level.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the prestigious George Churchward Medal to Linda Cerone of Nepean Football Association, recognising her exceptional leadership and more than three decades of dedicated service to the game.
Linda’s involvement in football spans an extraordinary 35 years, beginning at Bligh Park Football Club in 1991, where she served in numerous executive and committee positions. She is now a Life Member and Public Officer of the club.
Her influence has been particularly significant at Nepean Football Association, where she has spent 29 years contributing to the growth and development of the game, including 28 years as Chief Executive Officer. As she transitions into retirement, Linda has moved into the role of Senior Strategy Advisor.
Throughout her tenure, Linda has helped shape a range of initiatives, including the Nepean Dragons All Abilities program, Nepean District Representative FC, the Nepean Referees Group and Nepean Summer Football.
Her advocacy for improved football infrastructure also helped deliver a landmark announcement in January 2019, when the district’s first synthetic fields were announced.
Beyond Nepean, Linda has contributed to the wider football community through her work with the Football NSW Association Standing Committee, where she has served since 2016, including as Deputy Chair from 2020 to 2023. She also continues to support the game through her volunteer role with Western Sydney Wanderers.
A passionate advocate for inclusion, integrity and community participation, Linda has helped ensure young people have a voice in football through the establishment of Nepean FA’s Youth Advisory Panel.
Her contribution has been recognised through numerous accolades, including Football Australia’s Female Administrator of the Year in 2018, the Emma Hussar Women of Lindsay Sportswoman of the Year in 2018 and Life Membership of Nepean FA in 2020.
The George Churchward Medal recognised not only Linda’s years of service, but also the lasting impact of her leadership on players, volunteers, clubs and the broader football community.
The evening also celebrated the recipients of the 2026 State Awards, with 24 individuals recognised for their outstanding contributions to football across the state. Nominated by their local associations, the recipients represented the breadth of community football, with contributions spanning coaching, officiating, administration, volunteering and ground maintenance.
The 2026 State Award recipients were:
The contribution of women across all areas of football was also celebrated through the Female Football Week Awards, which recognise the individuals helping grow the women’s game, strengthen participation and create opportunities for players, coaches, referees and volunteers.
The 2026 award winners were:
Each recipient was recognised for their contribution to the game and their role in supporting the continued growth of women’s football.
One of the evening’s most powerful stories came through the presentation of the Fair Play Award to Hazelbrook FC’s Over 30 Women’s team from Nepean Football Association, following an extraordinary demonstration of compassion and sportsmanship.
On 13 July, during an Over 30 Women’s fixture against Pitt Town Football Club at Berger Road, a Pitt Town player suffered a significant head injury requiring immediate life-saving first aid.
In a deeply distressing situation, Hazelbrook’s players responded with compassion, offering comfort and reassurance to the injured player and supporting her teammates, friends and family as they dealt with the emergency.
Their care extended well beyond the match. In the weeks that followed, the team continued checking on the player’s recovery and organised meal deliveries to her home to help support her and her family.
Their actions demonstrated that football is about far more than competition or the result. By putting another person’s wellbeing first, the Hazelbrook players embodied the values of fairness, respect, integrity and sportsmanship that sit at the heart of the game.
The Fair Play Award recognised a team whose actions offered a powerful reminder of the difference football people can make when it matters most.
The 2026 State Dinner also recognised innovation, leadership and growth through the Nine Ad Manager Awards, introduced in 2025 with the support of Football NSW Chairman Gilbert Lorquet to acknowledge outstanding achievements at club and association level.
Bundanoon Rebels was named Nine Ad Manager Community Club of the Year after demonstrating how a small regional club can achieve remarkable growth while remaining inclusive, welcoming and community-focused.
Operating in a village of approximately 5,000 people, the club increased its membership by 106 per cent over three seasons, growing from 89 to 183 registered players and volunteers.
That growth has been supported by expanding junior and senior teams and inclusive initiatives such as All Abilities and Walking Football, which provide opportunities for people who may not otherwise participate in traditional competitions. Family discounts, financial hardship assistance and subsidised registrations have also helped ensure cost is not a barrier to participation.
Alongside participation growth, Bundanoon Rebels has strengthened its governance, safeguarding and coach development structures. Dedicated leadership roles, volunteer support initiatives and improved match-day facilities have helped create a stronger environment for players, officials and families.
The club’s success has extended onto the field, with increased representation across junior, youth and senior association competitions and teams consistently reaching grand finals in recent seasons.
Innovation has also played an important role in the club’s development, with improvements to canteen operations supporting fundraising and successful grant funding enabling the installation of a publicly accessible defibrillator at Ferndale, benefiting the wider community.
Bankstown District Amateur Football Association (BDAFA) was named Nine Ad Manager Association of the Year in recognition of its commitment to making football accessible, affordable and sustainable across one of New South Wales’ most diverse communities.
A standout initiative in 2026 was the Footballs for Kindergarten Kids program, delivered in partnership with more than 50 local schools. The initiative distributed more than 3,000 footballs free of charge to kindergarten-aged children, introducing young participants to the game and strengthening connections between schools, clubs and the wider football community.
BDAFA also prioritised affordability by working with affiliated clubs to cap registration fees at $50 for selected junior competitions. The initiatives contributed to a 27.1 per cent increase in registrations among five- and six-year-olds compared with the previous season, supporting the introduction of a standalone Grade 5 competition.
The association expanded opportunities for women through the introduction of an Over 35 Women’s Social Competition, providing a welcoming environment for women returning to football, trying the sport for the first time or seeking a social connection through the game.
Infrastructure investment was another major achievement, with the completion of the Bankstown Home of Football and its adjoining synthetic field providing a permanent base for the region’s football community.
BDAFA also collaborated with Southern Districts Soccer Football Association to establish the Georges River Super League, creating a stronger competitive environment for talented young players across Grades 13 to 16.
Its long-term investment in referee recruitment and retention has delivered further results, with referee numbers growing by 42.9 per cent over five years and coverage reaching approximately 97 per cent of fixtures on most weekends.
As part of the Nine Ad Manager Awards, Hazelbrook FC and BDAFA received $2,000 advertising vouchers to support targeted registration campaigns through the Nine Ad Manager platform, while the runners-up received $1,000 vouchers to support similar initiatives.
Looking to the future, the Future Leader Award was presented to Lucas Touma of Nepean Football Association, recognising his dedication to football and commitment to supporting the next generation.
A member of Glenmore Park Football Club for more than 10 years, Lucas has embraced a range of roles across the game, including player, referee, coach and youth representative.
Beginning as a cadet referee in 2023–24, he progressed to the Nepean Referees Group, where he officiates as both a centre referee and assistant referee across multiple age groups. He also volunteers to referee Glenmore Park Under-12 matches, helping younger players enjoy football in a positive and supportive environment.
As a player, Lucas captained Glenmore Park’s Under-15 Division 1 team in 2025 before stepping up to the Under-17 age group in 2026. He also serves as assistant coach of the club’s Under-13 Division 1 team, sharing his knowledge and supporting the development of younger players.
Beyond the club, Lucas is in his second year on the Nepean Football Association Youth Advisory Panel, contributing the perspectives of young participants to discussions and initiatives shaping the future of the game.
His willingness to contribute across multiple areas of football, combined with his leadership, humility and commitment to others, makes him a deserving recipient of the Future Leader Award.
As Football NSW looks ahead to an even bigger 2027 season, the State Dinner served as a powerful reminder that the strength of football in New South Wales extends far beyond what happens on the pitch.
From long-serving administrators and dedicated volunteers to inclusive clubs, innovative associations and emerging leaders, the award recipients reflect the people who make the game possible at every level.
Football NSW congratulates all the award winners and thanks everyone who attended for helping make the evening a memorable celebration of the beautiful game.
Linda Cerone honoured for 35 years of service
Celebrating the people behind community football
Female Football Week celebrates outstanding women
Hazelbrook FC recognised for extraordinary sportsmanship
Nine Ad Manager Awards celebrate innovation and growth
Bundanoon Rebels – Nine Ad Manager Community Club of the Year
Bankstown District Amateur Football Association – Nine Ad Manager Association of the Year
Future Leader Award recognises Lucas Touma
Celebrating the future of NSW football
