Long service award for Football Far North Coast stalwart

Barbara Zakaras was one of the volunteers who earned a NSW Distinguished Long Service Award, presented by sports minister Stuart Ayres.

The long service awards honour individuals across a broad range of sports who have given exceptional service to their sport over a period of decades.

She has been involved in Football Far North Coast since 1978 when she joined Lennox Head in its inaugural season.

Her husband Brian was a referee, while three of her children and six grandchildren have played at the club.

Over five decades she has run the canteen while taking on club duties as secretary, treasurer and manager.

Lennox Head surf lifesaving club stalwart John Beasley was also recognised with a long service award.

He has multiple life memberships at state and Australian level with 60 years experience.

He joined the Lennox Head club in 2004 and has been president of the Far North Coast branch along with many club roles.

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Sport NSW Chairperson, Carolyn Campbell congratulated the Awards winners.

"Volunteers such as those we have acknowledged with this prestigious Award are the backbone of community sport in NSW," Ms Campbell said.

"They are the dedicated, hard-working individuals who contribute countless hours to enable thousands of men and women, girls and boys, to enjoy the health and social benefits of community sport each weekend.

"They are the unsung heroes on which sports clubs and sports communities are built, and we are delighted to honour their unflagging, dedicated work with this prestigious Award."

"Sport has been through massive challenges because of the pandemic, floods, and bushfires over the past few years, and it is because of the efforts of volunteers such as these 19 wonderful men and women that competitions have now resumed."

Meanwhile, Applications for the fourth round of Northern NSW Football's Facilities Fund will close next week.

Northern NSW Football's Facilities Fund was established in 2019 and aligns with the NSW Football Infrastructure Strategy.

The fund has seen NNSWF invest $714,928 in community football infrastructure projects since its inception, with partner funding of $848,199 taking the total project value to $1,563,127.

The 14 projects have supported more than 6,500 players, referees, coaches and volunteers and have included lighting, amenities and field upgrades.

Successful applications will be announced in August to coincide with the Future of Football roadshow