Warriewood resident to receive Sport NSW Distinguished Long Service Honour - Collaroy Tennis Club Finalist in Inclusion Achievement of the Year Award
Sport NSW will recognise Mark Stephenson from Warriewood with the prestigious Distinguished Long Service Honour, following decades of unflagging and invaluable service to Ice Hockey at a grassroots level.
Mr. Stephenson is among 19 recipients who will be presented with their honour at the 2025 NSW Community Sports Awards to be held at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta on Monday, June 30.
The Distinguished Long Service Honour recognises individual officials, coaches, administrators, and event organisers who have demonstrated extraordinary unwavering dedication to nurturing and promoting sport in their communities for over 25 years.
Mr. Stephenson has been a coach and administrator with Ice Hockey New South Wales for over 30 years. He has coached several teams, all as a volunteer, with countless hours spent around the country at games and tournaments. He has had many achievements coaching the Sydney Sirens in the Australian Women's Ice Hockey League, the Sydney Ice Dogs in the Australian Ice Hockey League, and several state teams at the National Ice Hockey Championships.
He currently sits on the board of IHNSW as the State Coaching Director, a position he has held for 20 years. He selflessly gives up his time to travel to other states to help their boards with coaching problems and spends nights and weekends coaching and mentoring new coaches. He has never wavered in his commitment to IHNSW or to the sport.
Sport NSW Chairperson, Chris Hall, congratulated Stephenson for his extraordinary contribution to Ice Hockey.
“The Distinguished Long Service Honour presented to Mark is a testament to their selfless commitment and lasting impact. He has contributed countless hours over many years to ensure others can enjoy the benefits of sport,” said Mr Hall.
“Individuals like Mark have been the backbone of their sport within their community. They have enabled sports participants of all ages and all abilities the opportunity to enjoy the health, social and community benefits that sports participation provides.
“We congratulate all Distinguished Long Service Honour recipients. Without volunteers such as these 19 worthy recipients, sport would not exist without them,” added Mr Hall.
The 2025 NSW Community Sports Awards will also see the announcement of the 12 Community Sports Award category winners. These Awards recognised outstanding achievements and contributions to community sport in NSW which is largely carried out by a volunteer workforce.
The categories are Community Official of the Year, Young Official of the Year, Community Coach of the Year, Young Coach of the Year, Community Sports Administrator of the Year, Volunteer Director of the Year, Community Club of the Year, Local Council of the Year, Community Event of the Year, Community Team of the Year, Innovation of the Year and Inclusion Achievement of the Year.
Among the finalists for the 2025 NSW Community Sports Awards, recognising the outstanding achievements and contributions of individuals, clubs, and organisations to community sport across New South Wales, in the Multicultural NSW Inclusion Achievement Of the year category is Collaroy Tennis Club.
The club explains:
''Collaroy Tennis Club has been named an 'Inclusion Development Hub' by Tennis Australia – one of only three in NSW. We have also been asked by Tennis NSW to participate in a Gender Equity Pilot Program headed by Casey Dellacqua. Our aim is to improve access and opportunities for all members to achieve gender equality at our club, both as players and administrators.''
''Tennis Australia’s National Inclusion & Diversity Coordinator, Irena Farinacci, invited Collaroy Tennis Club (CTC) Committee Member, Dave Keogh, to travel to Melbourne and attend a Breakfast Conference co-hosted by Tennis Australia and Ralph Lauren on AO Pride Day – 25th January 2024.
Irena wanted Dave to be part of a panel of guest speakers to talk about our Club’s philosophy in this area and to specifically present as a case study, the Pride events we’ve held at Collaroy. The conference was important because so many members of the LGBTQIA+ community still do not feel safe and included in sporting environments and Tennis Australia is committed to changing this narrative.''
Sport NSW CEO, Stuart Hodge, said the finalists reflect the relentless strength, passion, and diversity of community sport throughout the state.
“Community sport is the heartbeat of so many towns and suburbs in NSW, and these finalists represent the very best of our sporting community. Their dedication ensures thousands of people enjoy safe, inclusive, diverse and rewarding sport experiences every week,” said Mr Hodge.
“This immense contribution is overwhelmingly conducted by energetic volunteers, and we thank them all for their unflagging commitment to ensure sport is played and enjoyed every week. They provide the backbone to Australian sport as participants move through the many exciting stages of their sporting journey.
“We congratulate our finalists and thank all entrants for their nominations. The broad range of award category submissions provided evidence that sport in NSW will continue to underpin Australia’s sporting success as we move towards the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games,” added Mr Hodge.
View the complete list of 2025 NSW Community Sports Awards finalists HERE
The 2025 Distinguished Long Service honourees are:
Name Suburb Sport
Alan Beveridge Barrack Point Surf Life Saving
Brian Gibson Woonona Bowls
Ian Hook Belmont Baseball
Ian Parker West Pennant Hills AFL
John Goh Merrylands Rugby Union
John Hughes Gloucester Northern NSW Football
Kirsten Crocker Miranda Athletics
Kristine Agosto Muswellbrook Squash
Leeanne Palmer Newcastle Basketball
Les Friend Goulburn Equestrian
Lynn Parker Roseville Chase Paddle
Mark Stephenson Warriewood Ice Hockey
Mary Patricia Lusty (Pat) Peakhurst Swimming
Paul Cini Hurstville Grove Touch
Sharon Cooper Georges Hall Cricket
Stephen Croot Blakehurst Rowing
Sue Badenoch Kinsey Sunshine Bay Football
Walter (Wally) O'Hara OAM Armidale Gymnastics
Wendy Archer AM Wallalong Netball