We all know them – members who care, give up their time and want to make a difference. The Surf Life Saving NSW Awards of Excellence celebrate the incredible people in our organisation and the impact they have on their clubs, members and their local communities.
As we edge closer to our Awards ceremony, set to take place this Saturday, we highlight some of the inspirational people who are being recognised for their contribution to the community through Surf Life Saving.
SURF SPORTS
The Surf Sports category is made up of six awards; Official of the Year, Coach of the Year, Surf Sports Team of the Year, Youth Athlete of the Year, Masters Athlete of the Year, and Athlete of the Year.
These awards are pivotal in highlighting those who have achieved outstanding results or shown undeniable commitment to Surf Sports, a crucial, competitive element within the movement which aids in upskilling and engaging the membership.
Involvement in Surf Sports at any level – be it a competitor, coach or official – requires sincere and often unrivalled commitment to stand out in the field.
This is epitomised by Coach of the Year finalist, Gary Pettigrove.
“I started coaching in 1982, so that’s 40 years non-stop, and I’ve been a lifesaver for 48 years,” the Broulee Surfers SLSC member and surf boat sweep said.
“In short, the role needs someone who can motivate people to set realistic goals and then plans to work with the athletes to achieve those goals.
“It’s not just that – you need to readdress, and to look at the skills and development plans and make changes where they’re needed, then I believe it’s also important to be there to celebrate with the athlete when they hit those targets.
“Every athlete is different, with outside interests and things that impact on them, and you work around that to bring the best out in them.”
Gary Pettigrove and (right) Gary as a child.
Gary’s strength is in surf boats, where he has developed the majority of his skills building and maintaining competitive teams in the water. That said, he understands the value the Nipper program brings to Surf Life Saving and has invested plenty of time and energy in helping to bring through the next crop of talented athletes from the Far South Coast.
“We’ve got 300 Nippers – 150 in Canberra, 150 on the coast – and we come together once a month,” he said.
“That pathway program from Nippers through to cadets and seniors is something we’re working on, there are just so many other attractions when they get to 14, we need to keep them engaged.
“We have a Team Broulee program, which is squads of kids we’re building to go to Country, State and National titles, and we’re looking for other trips away too.
“The end goal is to get a few competitors to that elite level across different teams and events.”
Having looked through the finalists across some of the other awards in the Surf Sports category – namely Youth, Masters and Athlete of the Year – Gary believes it’s a strong field with many worthy winners.
And even after 40 years as a coach – culminating this year in a nomination for Surf Life Saving NSW Coach of the Year – he is always looking to hone his craft further.
“Surf Life Saving needs us to be working better and smarter, so we’re always looking for opportunities to expand our knowledge,” Gary said.
The Surf Life Saving NSW Awards of Excellence take place on Saturday 27 August from 7pm at Luna Park. Keep up to date with the night and the award winners for each category by following us on social media. #AOE2022
Coach of the Year Finalists:
Stephen George – Cudgen Headland SLSC
Adam Smith – Wauchope-Bonny Hills SLSC
Martin Cowper – Blackhead SLSC
Ray Terrill – Redhead SLSC
Damien Benson – Avoca Beach SLSC
Andrew Dennehy– North Curl Curl SLSC
Tom Rampoldi – North Cronulla SLSC
Paul Jones – Bulli SLSC
Daniel Robberds – Mollymook SLSC
Gary Pettigrove – Broulee Surfers SLSC
Official of the Year Finalists:
Charlie Buchanan – Cudgen Headland SLSC
John Wake – Coffs Harbour SLSC
Mick Lang – Tacking Point SLSC
Shane Dowsett – Swansea Belmont SLSC
David Unger – Ocean Beach SLSC
Ernesto Calderon – Dee Why SLSC
Carlo Villanti – Cronulla SLSC
Carl Williams – Helensburgh-Stanwell Park SLSC
Michael Crowle – Mollymook SLSC
Surf Sports Team of the Year Finalists:
Boilers Boat Crew – Yamba SLSC
Gun Mums – Port Macquarie SLSC
U17 Male Taplin Team – Black Head SLSC
260 Years Male Surf Boat Crew – Nobbys SLSC
Masters Ski Relay Team – The Lakes SLSC
Masters Beach Relay Team – Warriewood SLSC
Open Beach Relay Team – North Cronulla SLSC
Open Mens Boat Crew – Bulli SLSC
U14 Board Rescue Team – Warilla-Barrack Point SLSC
The Banshees Female Boat Crew – Batemans Bay SLSC
Youth Athlete of the Year Finalists:
Kalani Ives – Yamba SLSC
Nick Caldwell – Port Macquarie SLSC
Izaac Boag – Blackhead SLSC
Lani Waller – Redhead SLSC
Ryan Green – Terrigal SLSC
Olivia Clues – North Curl Curl SLSC
Lucy Flanagan – North Cronulla SLSC
Brock Neall – Bulli SLSC
Luella Boulton – Tathra SLSC
Masters Athlete of the Year Finalists:
Paul Pattison – Byron Bay SLSC
Raelene Myers – Port Macquarie SLSC
Jacquelene Doran – Nobbys SLSC
Hayden Smith – Terrigal SLSC
Michael Gedz – Queenscliff SLSC
Dori Miller – Bondi SBSLC
Hannah Minogue – Bulli SLSC
Joanne Helson – Shellharbour SLSC
Darren Drewson – Broulee Surfers SLSC
Athlete of the Year Finalists:
Sofie Boyd – Cudgen Headland SLSC
Callum Boag – Blackhead SLSC
Flynn Wallace-Smith – Caves Beach SLSC
Ella Beere – Avoca Beach SLSC
Mitchell Morris – Newport SLSC
Kai Hammond – Wanda SLSC
Hannah Minogue – Bulli SLSC
Nicole Sims – Warilla-Barrack Point SLSC
Shayne Rettke – Tathra SLSC
Wednesday 24 August 2022