A LONG-SERVING soccer referee and administrator has been honoured with a major award for his service to the game at a local level.
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Colin Campbell joined the Albury Wodonga Football Association (AWFA) in 1990 and his 26 years of involvement has included refereeing and holding all executive positions within the Albury-Wodonga Soccer Referees Association (AWSRA).
Fittingly, he was nominated and received a Football NSW State Award for his efforts at last Saturday’s state dinner in Sydney.
Campbell is a AWSRA life member and still actively involved.
He served as president for 10 years and vice-president for four, while his other roles included branch coach, as well positions on the education and examination boards.
Throughout his decorated career, Campbell has overseen senior and junior development within Albury-Wodonga and played an instrumental role in the career development of two FIFA officials – Sheena Storrie and Alyson Flynn.
Flynn was the assistant referee at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and officiates in the A-League.
Campbell has also been an active assessor for at least 20 years where has been involved with Football NSW State Titles and is currently on the assessor’s panel for the Victorian National Premier League.
The sport certainly runs in the blood as Campbell’s son, Matthew, was a 400-game player for Albury United and is the present senior men’s coach.
AWSRA president Andrew Nicholls and members of the organisation thanked Campbell for his continued contribution to football in the Albury-Wodonga district.
“I don’t think there would be many people in the local soccer community who haven’t come across Colin,” Nicholls said.
AWSRA also acknowledged and thanked the leadership of Stephen Hayes in leading the nomination for his award, as well as AWFA for collating and approving the nomination.
Hayes himself was recognised at the 2010 NSW Football state dinner, where he was presented the George Churchward Medal for his dedication to the sport in various capacities.
At the time of the state award, Hayes had been involved with football in Albury-Wodonga for more than 35 years as a player, coach, referee, mentor, sponsor and committee member at club, association and branch level.
