Soccer president wins community service award
Umina United Soccer Club president Mr Phil Rayner has been awarded a Rotary Community Service Award on Wednesday, May 1.
A Umina resident Mr Rayner has volunteered his time to Umina Soccer club for more than 40 years.
"We felt this was an incredible effort, and thought he was a worthy recipient of the Rotary award," said club media officer Mr Simon Darwin.
The nomination stated: "Phil has been involved with since 1983 as a junior player and 41 years later his service continues.
"He played in 1983 for the Under-11A team and he has continued to either play or coach from that year until this year, when he plays in the Over-45s, coaches the women's All Age team.
"Phil is currently in his fifth year as club president.
"In 2002, Phil was awarded life membership.
"In 2018, he was awarded junior coach of the year.
"He has won many premierships as a coach and player and so many finals series it is too much to list.
"Phil is the humblest of leaders and is normally the one giving out awards, working away behind the scenes with a crew of hard-working volunteers.
"In his tenure, he has guided the club back to being one of the strongest family football clubs on the Central Coast.
"Phil along with another life member Lee Fulwood restructured the committee roles to enable the club to grow in a more sustainable way.
"The club is now the fourth largest on the Central Coast and can proudly boast a growth in membership over the last four years from 735 to 847."
With this came the need to accommodate more teams on the Umina (Col Gooley) Oval.
"Phil sought access to the oval on a Wednesday, in addition to the approved training on Tuesdays and Thursdays."
This took "his hard work and tenacious relationship" with Central Coast Council.
The replacement of the 40-year-old toilet and changing rooms saw Phil and a group of committee members engage for three years with Council and the Federal Government, which had made an election promise to rebuild the facilities.
"The new club house was completed and ready for the club in July last year.
"One of Phil's biggest wins is the growth of women's football within the club.
"Over the past four years this growth has culminated in the club being able to field girls' teams in all competitive age groups."
Pictured is Umina United president Mr Phil Rayner receiving his award from Umina Rotary community service director Mr David Tanare.
SOURCE:
Media release, 10 May 2024
Simon Darwin, Umina United Soccer Club