Recognition for sport volunteers

Three Central Coast residents will receive Distinguished Long Service Awards at the 2024 NSW Community Sports Awards on June 19.

The awards night, conducted at CommBank Stadium by Sport NSW, will recognise outstanding achievements and contributions to community sport in NSW which is largely carried out by a volunteer workforce.

John Turnbull from Erina, Glenn Pincott from Blue Haven and Maree Kirby from Doyalson will be among 21 recipients from a wide cross-section of sports to receive awards from NSW Sports Minister Steve Kamper.

Turnbull has been involved with the Central Coast Touch Association for more than 35 years and has been a state graded referee since 2005.

He is a long-standing volunteer and has been dedicated to Central Coast Touch, the Hunter Western Hornets region and to NSW Touch Football.

He is currently a Level 6 referee and has officiated at several NSW Touch events, along with delivering high quality referee courses for his affiliates and within his region.

Pincott has been an active Motorsport official since 1988, servicing the community in a range of roles from community grassroots motorsport up to the top tiers of the sport.

He quickly moved into senior roles and obtained his Gold Scrutiny Licence with Log Book Endorsement and went on to hold senior roles including technical commissioner for a national category.

Pincott has held positions as Chief Scrutineer at the Australian Grand Prix, Amaroo Park, Bathurst, and Sydney Motorsport Park.

He was the 2023 Series Steward for the Toyota Gazoo Australia 86 Series and also officiates as a Steward at Supercars events as well as State Championship Circuit Racing events.

Kirby has played a pivotal role in the administration of the Lower Mountains Motorcycle Club for more than 30 years and embodies the spirit of motorcycling as evidenced by the countless hours she invests behind the scenes to ensure the successful organisation of events.

She has been a dedicated volunteer and official at Motocross events, ranging from local club competitions to state level championships for many years.

Kirby continues to give back to the sport by presenting the Motorcycling Australia Officials Courses to all up-and-coming officials across the state and is also member of the Motocross Sports Committee.

Sport NSW Chairperson Chris Hall congratulated Turnbull, Pincott, and Kirby on their awards.

“Volunteers such as John, Glenn and Maree are the backbone of grassroots and community sport and it is fitting these Distinguished Long Service Award recipients are recognised and honoured,” he said.

“We thank them for their years of selfless dedication which has enabled generations of boys and girls, men and women to participate in sport and enjoy the life skills, social benefits and community spirit that it provides.

“Sport has the unifying ability to bring people of different cultures and backgrounds together.

“At the centre are the army of volunteers who each week dedicate themselves to ensure the games are played, the fields are marked, the canteen is stocked, and the barbecue is sizzling.

“Sport is at the heart of our local communities and, quite simply, sport would not exist without our magnificent volunteers.”
The presentation evening will also recognise volunteers across 12 categories for their outstanding achievements and excellence over the past year.