Manly-Warringah Touch Football coach, Max Marsters, Collaroy Tennis Club, and former Manly-Warringah Gymnastics Club chair, Melinda Stewart, were each named winners in their respective categories for the 2025 NSW Community Sports Awards held recently.
Marsters was named ACPE Young Coach of the Year. Collaroy Tennis Club was voted NSW Communities and Justice Community Club of the Year. While Stewart was selected as the AIDC Volunteer Director of the Year.
The awards recognise outstanding achievements and contributions to community sport in NSW over the past year, which is largely conducted by a volunteer workforce.
“The NSW Community Sports Awards are the highest honours for community and grassroots sport in the state,” Sport NSW Chairperson, Chris Hall, said.
“Sport lies at the heart of communities across NSW. It is where lifelong friendships are formed, teamwork is developed, and successes are celebrated.
“It is fitting these award recipients and finalists are recognised and honoured and we congratulate them for their extraordinary service to sport and to their communities.
“Without these hardworking, selfless volunteers, tens of thousands of sports participants would not be able to enjoy the health, social and community benefits sport provides.
“Unquestionably, these volunteers provide the backbone of sport for others to compete and enjoy. Their leadership, enthusiasm and inspiration will help motivate the next generation of volunteers.”
Max Marsters – ACPE Young Coach of the Year
Under Marsters’ guidance, the Manly-Warringah U10 Boys Touch Football team reached the Grand Final at the Junior State Cup, showcasing impressive development and teamwork throughout the tournament.
As assistant coach for the U18 Boys, Marsters’ played a key role in their journey to becoming State Champions, contributing to their strategic execution and high-performance culture.
Collaroy Tennis Club – NSW Communities and Justice Community Club of the Year
Collaroy Tennis Club enjoyed a stellar year with junior members successful in many Tennis Australia and Tennis NSW tournaments, with players state ranked in the Top 10 for their age groups.
Vesna Marinkov (14) was invited to join the Australian Billie Jean King Cup team for a training camp and her brother, Pavle, was Australia’s number one male junior at the beginning of 2024. He has now turned pro and has a current world ranking of 690.
Senior members Chris Gillis, Michal Korecky and Albin Kurti successfully competed on the ITF Seniors tour and hold world rankings.
In 2024, wheelchair member Isla Gillespie became Australia’s first junior female wheelchair competitor at the US Open, while fellow ‘wheelie’ Rafferty Stevens is world ranked number 41.
The club was named an ‘Inclusion Development Hub’ by Tennis Australia – one of only three in NSW. They appointed a Diversity & Inclusion Officer who has championed initiatives, notably providing a safe and welcoming space for those identifying as LGBTQI.
Most recently, the Club held a community event as part of the inaugural Australian Pride in Sport Festival that attracted 160 people, including Layne Beachley and Kirk Pengilly, and a long list of political dignitaries from every level of government. The event raised $2,500 for Lifeline Northern Beaches.
Melinda Stewart – AIDC Volunteer Director of the Year
Stewart has been a stalwart for Gymnastics in Australia, NSW and on the Northern Beaches, serving ten years with Manly-Warringah Gymnastic Club, including eight as Chair.
In her final year as Chair, she led the organisation to win a $5.15 million grant from the Federal Government, to match an existing $5.15 million grant NSW Government grant secured a few years earlier, to fully fund a new Centre of Excellence for Gymnastics on the Northern Beaches.
In 2024, Stewart also undertook the challenge of recruiting a new CEO for the organisation and led a refresh of the Board, including recruiting her successor and lead on the development of a clear Strategic Plan for the organisation.
Her passion for women’s gymnastics was the catalyst for a new Women’s Artistic Gymnastics program, which focuses on the athlete holistically, including strength and conditioning, physiological testing, mental performance, nutrition, recovery and artistry.
Read more sports related news:
Long Reef Golf Club reveals $22 million refurbishment plans (plus a coffee kiosk for passersby)
