Northern NSW Football (NNSWF) congratulates Northern Inland Football’s Newcastle Permanent Community Recognition Award winners for October.
The awards recognise the hard work and significant time volunteers, coaches and match officials contribute to Australia’s largest team sport.
NNSWF Head of Football Development Peter Haynes said the Newcastle Permanent Community Awards provided an important opportunity to recognise those who make the game what it is today.
“Without this month’s winners football simply would not be in the position it is. Each of these winners has made an outstanding contribution to their clubs and deserve to be recognised,” Haynes said.
“Community football relies on a collective effort and these awards reflect the appreciation extended to everyone who plays a role in progressing our game.
“I am pleased we are able to thank and acknowledge each of them on behalf of the sport, thanks to the support of our major sponsor, Newcastle Permanent.”
Each of the winners were selected from a number of nominations made by club colleagues and observers of the game. Each winner receives unique packs from Official Community Football Partner, Newcastle Permanent, to help them in their endeavours.
Newcastle Permanent CEO Bernadette Inglis congratulated each of the winners and thanked them for their contribution to the game.
From the pool of monthly winners, Northern Inland Football will nominate one winner from each category to represent their Zone for the opportunity to be named “Newcastle Permanent Community Football Winner of the Year” to be announced in October.
Northern NSW Football, Northern Inland Football and Newcastle Permanent congratulate all the recipients for October.
Volunteer of the Month
Andy Cygan – Gunnedah FC
As well as being a volunteer, Andy Cygan is a player, coach and committee member at Gunnedah FC.
He has been part of the senior first and reserve grade squad for the last five years and coaches his son’s under-5/6 team in the junior competition. Cygan has also coached a junior team for the last two years.
Cygan helps with mowing of the club’s grounds and all the line marking for 16 pitches. He helps set up and pack up the fields for junior football every Saturday and assists with setting up and coaching at the club’s weekly junior training sessions. He also coaches the senior first and reserve grade teams twice a week.
Cygan has also organised major sponsors for the club, is a director on the club’s committee and is one of the club’s most valuable volunteers.
Referee of the Month
Danny Laws
Danny Laws officiates matches for Northern Inland Football and has shown true dedication and passion for the game giving players, coaches and spectators the best experience possible.
Laws played for Narrabri FC in previous years but took up the whistle full-time this year to help ensure fixtures in Northern Inland Football’s Namoi League were covered with match officials.
Laws communications well with players and has a great understanding of the game. He has also encouraged new match officials to step up this year and have a go. Law’s contribution to referees in the Namoi League this year saw him nominated for the award.
Coach of the Month
Cassandra Cutmore – Kootingal Cougars FC
Cassandra Cutmore was nominated by Kootingal Cougars FC for her commitment over the duration of her service to the club.
Cutmore coaches the club’s women’s team, the Kootingal Kougarettes.
A former Premier League player herself, Cutmore had to end her playing career thanks to a double knee surgery.
She drops her two children at their grandad’s house every week before heading over to coach the team of women and girls ranging in age from 14 to 51-years-old.
After the suspension of football due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the club went from three graded teams to one, leaving the Kougarettes with a squad of varying abilities.
But Cutmore focuses on inclusion to ensure she plays everyone no matter their ability and encourages her players equally, showing the true spirit of women’s football.
Cutmore’s players speak glowingly of her, having learnt so much and progressed despite adversity. While it is difficult for her not being able to play anymore, it is Cutmore’s spirit and drive that is infectious amongst her players.
