Peninsula residents recognised in sports awards

Athletes, officials and volunteers from the Peninsula have been recognised for their achievements at this year's Central Coast Sports Federation Awards held on Saturday, November 16, at Mingara Recreation Club.

Ettalong's Aron Sheriff was named the runner-up Sports Star of the Year.

Mr Sheriff represented Australia in bowls at the World Championships, where he won a gold medal.

He also won the Trans-Tasman series and was undefeated at the Commonwealth eight nations championships in Scotland.

Mr Sherriff represented NSW at the inter-state team competition which NSW won and last year was named the International Bowler of the Year.

The NSW State Surf Life Saving Titles held at Umina and Ocean Beaches was named the Sports Event of the Year.

The NSW State Surf Life Saving Club Titles were held at Umina and Ocean Beach over a two week period.

During the event, there were 9000 competitors, 2000 spectators and 500 volunteers present.

Umina Surf Life Saving Club and Peninsula Swans AFL were named finalists in the Club or Association of the Year category.

Umina Surf Life Saving Club has 832 members and has recently achieved 10th place in the Australian Pool Rescue competition, third place in Branch Titles and fourth place in NSW Pool Rescue.

The club has also hosted events such as Iron Person Event, Boats Carnival and Central Coast Junior Branch Championships.

The Peninsula Swans AFL Club have a number of players who are in the Swans Academy and many who have been part of the Central Coast representative sides.

This year, the club fielded teams in all grades and is the largest AFL club on the Central Coast.

Woy Woy's Anthony McVicker was named a finalist for the Volunteer of the Year award.

Mr McVicker fulfils many volunteer roles in touch football and is a representative coach.

He referees in the local competition and has introduced a variety of initiatives to ease the workload of volunteers such as online registration and member databases.

Kay McVicker and Mark Wilson also received the Outstanding Service to Central Coast Sport awards.

Ms McVicker was recognised for 25 years of service to junior rugby league on the Central Coast, with highlights including being president of Woy Woy Juniors from 1993 to 2004 and the current vice-president of the Central Coast Division of Junior Rugby League.

She is a life member of both Woy Woy Juniors and the Central Coast Division.

Mr Wilson was also acknowledged for 25 years of service to rugby league and touch football.

He was a founding member of the Peninsula Touch Association in 1979 and has fulfilled many roles such as coach, volunteer administrator and referee in this time.

He has further put in numerous volunteer hours in setting up and running seasonal competitions and he has been a volunteer in Woy Woy Rugby League as a coach and trainer.

Media release, 25 Nov 2013

Mardi Love, NSW Office of Communities, Sport and Recreation