The life of a sports administrator

The administration of soccer, rugby league, rugby union, Australian rules and cricket has been an enormous part of Mr John Kenney's life on the Peninsula.

Mr Kenney operates on a big picture scale.

He talks about sport, history, community and business as if they are inseparably linked entities.

One will always need the other in order to prosper in his eyes.

Mr Kenney defines himself as a sport administrator, a role he took up around 1970.

"You mostly work behind the scenes and make connections happen," Mr Kenney said.

"When you want to build a team of players, everyone is important," he said.

"Even the boys who carry the bottles of cold water on the field.

"It is all one large team."

Mr Kenney raises both hands in the air with open palms.

"You see these open hands?

"Everything can come through my fingers and I cannot stop it."

He then brings both hands together in a closed fist.

"You see now?

"Nothing will come through this: if we are fragmented we fall; if we are united we stand undefeated."

This philosophy has assisted Mr Kenney in building many strong teams along the years for soccer, rugby league, rugby union, Australian rules and cricket associations.

Although he is the current vice president of the Woy Woy Rugby Union, Mr Kenney sees a clear line joining all types of sport.

"My passion for sport comes from believing it is one of best ways we have to create better citizens on our streets.

"Sport builds character... especially when you lose a match or a tournament...nothing is ever lost."

Mr Kenney is one of the original advocates who spoke to Gosford Council about the need for a new Woy Woy Oval.

He acknowledges that council is doing a great job in taking this project on since it is a long and difficult process.

In his opinion the voice of the community has been heard and taken into account from start to finish.

"The best results in my book come when no one cares who gets the credit," he said.

The new oval will feature a modern urban landscape with coffee shops that welcome people beyond sport seasons.

"The new oval will be a great asset for everyone not just for the sport community," he said.

"I hope this new work will be a platform for sport, business and community launching the Peninsula to new heights."

This interview is part of the collection of stories on the sporting culture of Woy Woy.

An artistic mural will be developed in February as a feature of the new oval and Gosford Council in association with Woy Woy library will be collecting photographs to be used as source material for the mural.

Community members who have photographs of local sporting events, actions or occasions who would like those photographs to be considered as part of the mural can bring their photos to Woy Woy Library from Tuesday, February 9 to Saturday, February 13.

Photos will be scanned and returned on the spot.

They will be used to create a public mural as well as becoming part of Gosford City Council archival collection of the Peninsula history and culture.

For more information contact project officer Coralie McPhie on 4325 8429 or email coralie.mcphie@gosford.nsw.gov.au.

Interview, 9 Dec 2016

John Kenney, Woy Woy