Involvement in Surf Sports at any level – be it a competitor, coach or official – requires sincere and often unrivalled commitment to stand out in the field.
As we edge closer to our NSW Awards of Excellence ceremony – a night to celebrate the incredible people in our organisation and the impact they have on their clubs, its members and their local communities – we are highlighting some of the inspirational people who are being recognised for their contribution to the community through Surf Life Saving.
The Surf Sports category includes Coach of the Year, Official of the Year, Masters Athlete of the Year and Surf Sports Team of the Year.
These awards are pivotal in recognising those who have achieved outstanding results or shown undeniable commitment to the surf sport; a crucial, competitive facet to the movement which aids in upskilling and engaging volunteer members.
“I know how important it is to keep people involved long-term and the more you have them enjoying the competition, particularly the kids, they will hang around for longer,” Coach of the Year finalist and Coffs Harbour SLSC member, Phil Evans said.
“We’re from the western suburbs of Sydney, we’d never really had anything to do with surf clubs as kids, but my daughter started when she was six and she’s now 17, gone all the way through to patrols.
“The sport side is a big part of it, and I’m the Head Beach Coach at Coffs – we’ve always been a water-oriented club but since I’ve been working with the different age groups we’re getting better all round.
“I have other clubs asking for help coaching their kids. My son has a lot to do with that, he’s a good athlete and the reason I got into it, but ultimately when you have the same people coming back each year you feel as though you’re doing a good job.”
Meanwhile, for Masters Athlete of the Year finalist, Davina Strauss, remaining competitive and engaged in the movement comes just as much from the desire within as the talent on the outside.
“You’ve got to love what you do, be consistent, dedicated and have goals,” she said.
Davina’s first taste of surf sports success came in the day of clubs competing on the world stage, when Elouera SLSC was crowned champions in 1996. Now at Coledale, her competitive edge has never waivered – even if it manifests in a different way these days.
“The main thing is to be healthy, that’s why I love the Masters. I’m not training as much but coaching and being around it keeps you competitive and I love the environment,” Davina said.
“I say to the kids I train now, they’ve got to want it in themselves and own it, that’s how I developed, but I can only facilitate and guide that mentality.”
The Surf Life Saving NSW Awards of Excellence will be held on Saturday 26 August at the Sofitel Wentworth in Sydney at 6.30pm. To keep up with the award winners and how the night plays out, follow our social media channels.
Coach of the Year
Stephen George, Cudgen Headland SLSC
Phil Evans, Coffs Harbour SLSC
Mick Lang, Tacking Point SLSC
Martin Cowper, Black Head SLSC
Scott Bryant, Caves Beach SLSC
David Smith, Shelly Beach SLSC
William Yeates, South Curl Curl SLSC
Sharon Deans, Coogee SLSC
Glenn Beveridge, Windang SLSC
Jackson Walsh, Warilla-Barrack Point SLSC
Bradley Coppin, Moruya SLSC
Masters Athlete of the Year
Colin Mustoe, Byron Bay SLSC
Larry Brooke, Port Macquarie SLSC
Kim Winter, Pacific Palms SLSC
Lee Howes, Newcastle SLSC
Paul Lemmon, Terrigal SLSC
Ashley Brown, Newport SLSC
Laura Thurtell, Bondi SBLSC
Davina Strauss, Coledale SLSC
Nathan Foster, Kiama Downs SLSC
Darren Drewson, Broulee Surfers SLSC
Official of the Year
Val Connell, Cudgen Headland SLSC
Amy Hannaford, Woolgoolga SLSC
Rodney McDonagh, South West Rocks SLSC
Kellie Connolly, Black Head SLSC
Rachel Soars, Merewether SLSC
Lauren Goldie, The Lakes SLSC
Matthew Molinia, Dee Why SLSC
David Hargreaves, North Cronulla SLSC
Anthony Lanyon, Wollongong City SLSC
Michael Crowle, Mollymook SLSC
Wendy Law, Broulee Surfers SLSC
Surf Sport Team of the Year
U15 Team, Cudgen Headland SLSC
The Orcas U23 Mens Boat Crew, Port Macquarie SLSC
U13 Female Board Relay, Black Head SLSC
U14 Female Board Rescue, Cooks Hill SLSC
U19 Female Taplin Team, Avoca Beach SLSC
Masters Beach Relay, Warriewood SLSC
Masters Team, Bondi SBLSC
Open Mens Boat Crew, Bulli SLSC
35+ Male Tube Rescue Team, Kiama Downs SLSC
Buoyos Boat Crew, Moruya SLSC
Tuesday 22 August 2023