FOOTBALL –
A hardworking local has been named NSW Gosford Woman of the Year in recognition of her dedication to the sports and footballing community on the Coast.
Kylie Brown was presented with the award at Southern and Ettalong United Football Club’s 60th Birthday Celebration on April 24.
The state-wide award aims to recognise local women for their ‘outstanding contribution to their local community as businesswomen, role models, volunteers, leaders and mentors’.
Brown said she was surprised and honoured to receive the nomination.
“I just love to see positive change and good infrastructure improvement for our sports,” Brown said.
“For me, this award is for those around me that give me support to do what I can, I couldn’t do it without those special people – they are my rock and I thank them!
“Being a working mum, I hope it gives other women inspiration to volunteer and help the community – every little bit helps, and it is very rewarding, I have met some of my closet friends from volunteering in sport.”
Brown has a decorated history with local sport, having spent the best part of 11 years on the board of Woy Woy Peninsula Little Athletics, and the last three as Club President.
She has also been involved on the Executive Committee at Southern and Ettalong United Football Club for seven years.
Brown said she has loved being involved in the football club, especially with its focus on female football.
“The difference we have made there to the female football community with the women’s changerooms has been a highlight,” Brown added.
“This sport is my passion – I play, my kids have played for 15 years and I’m a devoted Mariners fan.
“The club teaches you values and mateship and family culture that when someone is down – we all support each other.
“I love watching little kids, athletics and soccer – they are a reminder of why I volunteer when smile and laugh.”
Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, presented Brown with the award and said she was most deserving of the title.
“Kylie’s amazing … she is a symbol of all those hardworking women just chipping away behind the scenes to keep our community organisations going,” Tesch said.
“She is a humble person who just continues to fight for our community really hard in the background.”
The NSW Local Women of the Year Awards are chosen by State Members of Parliament and are announced annually.
Maisy Rae