Eurobodalla Football Association’s Sue Badenoch Kinsey was awarded the prestigious George Churchward Medal at Football NSW’s State Dinner was held at the Novotel at Sydney Olympic Park last weekend.

Football NSW Directors and Life Members all came together to recognise and acknowledge the elite few who have provided consistent and invaluable service at community level.

The night’s final and most honoured award, the George Churchward Medal, presented annually to an individual who has exemplified an outstanding commitment to the sport was awarded to Eurobodalla Football Association’s long serving administrator Sue Badenoch Kinsey.

The 2024 season marked 50 years of involvement in football for Sue which began in March 1975 when she served with the now defunct North St. Mary’s Soccer Club and contributed to several roles in the club over the next 4 years.

In 1979, Sue came onboard with the new St. Clair Soccer Club under the leadership of Brian Embury. There the loveable administrator was involved with almost everything at the club including Secretary, Registrar, Treasurer, Canteen Manager to name but a few. Sue also became involved with the Nepean Association, although not on the Board of the Association, Sue often worked with the late Barbara Horley.

However, it wasn’t until Sue and her family moved to the South Coast in late 1988 that she became deeply involved with the Batemans Bay club and then the Eurobodalla Association when word got out that she was involved in sport for many years.

Sue introduced new systems at the Association which included player photos, proof of age I.Ds. as well as a basic weekly fixture list. Sue’s roles on the Board of Eurobodalla Football covered all aspects of community football including refereeing for over 35 years with the Eurobodalla Association.

The experienced administrator has been the Rep Convenor for Southern Branch for over 20 years and enjoys watching the juniors flourish at the next level of their football pathways.

As a Director on the Southern Branch Board, Sue became the delegate to the Football NSW’s Association Standing Committee, serving on this Board for four years. The liaisons and camaraderie Sue experienced with Staff at FNSW as well as delegates from all over NSW has been a highlight of her involvement.

It was a fitting end of the evening as Sue received a standing ovation by the many in attendance.

Sue told the Moruya Mail, “It was a huge surprise to be awarded the George Churchward medal. Whilst you never start the journey looking for accolades, it was very humbling to know your input has been appreciated.

However, we do not achieve this status alone, I have been lucky to have many colleagues along the way, both past and current, that have been a great support to me and I thank them. My collaboration with people from the grassroots point at club level, regional level, and all the way through to liaising with the staff at Football NSW, has been not only enjoyable but enabled me to make long lasting friendships.

I would like to thank everyone that was involved in the nomination for me to receive this prestigious award” said Sue.