The awards night, conducted at Bankwest Stadium, recognised outstanding achievements and contributions to community sport in NSW over the past year which is largely carried out by a volunteer workforce.

The NSW Senior State Cup Carnival was one of 10 award winning category recipients honoured at the ceremony hosted by NSW Minister for Sport, the Hon. Natalie Ward MLC.

The Senior State Cup Carnival, held last December, is the premier NSW Touch Football representative event and is conducted in Port Macquarie each year and is open to all NSW affiliated members. Over 900 touch football games were played in the first event held in the LGA during the pandemic.

The 2020 edition was the third major event run by New South Wales Touch Association during the pandemic, bringing 3315 players, 260 referees and over 200 team management to a central venue and run under strict COVID safety measures to ensure the safety of all participants and the local community.

The State Cup is staged for senior participants from U20's to Over 60s and featured representative teams from 46 Affiliated Touch Football Associations from across the corners of NSW from Ballina in the north, Parkes in the west and Wagga Wagga in the south.

Sport NSW chairperson, Carolyn Campbell congratulated NSW Senior State Cup Carnival organisers of their wonderful commitment to sport in NSW.

"COVID-19 has impacted our lives in so many areas over the past 12-15 months, and the role of community sport has been vital to restoring and upholding the physical and mental health of girls and boys, men and women of all ages during these challenging times," Ms Campbell said.

"Sport has the magnetic capacity to draw people together from different cultures and backgrounds within local communities to enjoy active, healthy lifestyles.

"At the heart of community sport has been more than 500,000 selfless volunteers such as the NSW Senior State Cup Carnival organisers who give up their precious time to ensure sports is played throughout the year. It is fitting our Award recipients are recognised and honoured. It is because of their efforts that NSW remains the premier sports state in Australia."

The awards evening also celebrated 23 recipients of Distinguished Long Service Awards.

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

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