We have five awards that recognise the effort and achievements of club members and teams during the previous 12 months and pay tribute to the club members that have made a difference and are recognised each year with these awards in their name.
Engadine Crusaders Football Club Life Members
A number of players and people actively associated with Engadine Crusaders FC have been awarded life membership. These people have given a lot to this club in shaping and building it to what it is today. They are;
| Life Members | |
| 1982 | Garry Martin |
| 1990 | Ron Wilson |
| 1992 | Greg Wilson |
| 1994 | Neville Bethe |
| 1996 | Steve Wackwitz |
| 1996 | Ian McCrea |
| 2003 | Ken Newman |
| 2003 | Janine Rowling |
| 2004 | Brad Keep |
| 2006 | Andrew Marshall |
| 2006 | Peter Coman |
| 2008 | Michael Price |
| 2011 | Matthew Murray |
| 2011 | Jim Hankins |
| 2012 | Terry Smith |
| 2012 | Jeffrey Whalan |
| 2015 | Clare Hargrave |
| 2015 | Graham Gunn |
| 2015 | Debbie Cox |
The Garry Martin Senior Sportsman Award
Garry Martin was the first person named life member of the Engadine Crusaders Football Club in 1982. He joined the club as a coach when his son played in the under 8s and continued coaching through to our all ages teams in the Churches Association until around 2000, winning many premierships along the way. Garry was also deeply involved in the running of the club as a key member of the club’s committee for many years, including a stint as President.
The Garry Martin Senior Sportsman Award can be given to any club member playing in a senior competition, men or women. Junior members under 21 years old playing in senior competitions can be considered if they haven’t been nominated for the Terry Smith Junior Sportsman Award. The award can be given for outstanding sporting achievements or for exceptional contribution to the management, administration or running of the club.
The Len Harrison Memorial Shield Award
Len Harrison is remembered fondly at our club as a player and as an early instigator of sponsorship. Working at Donnelly Datsun at Kirrawee, Len was responsible for the car dealership becoming the club’s major sponsor and making the Engadine Crusaders Football Club one of the first to have a sponsor’s logo on playing shirts. It was a great boost and helped to fund lower member fees and new equipment.
Sadly, Len passed away while training with his all age team at Preston Park leaving many stunned, but with memories of a fine man and a true Crusader. In memory of Len, the The Len Harrison Memorial Shield Award can go to any member of the club for outstanding service, whether that be in administration, social or coaching and managing.
The Terry Smith Junior Sportsman Award
Terry Smith is a major contributor to the local football community, having been a senior player and club committee member at the Engadine Crusaders Football Club for many years. He is also a well respected referee and a member of the Sutherland Shire Referees Association committee, where he has also served as President.
The Terry Smith Junior Sportsman Award can be given to any club member playing in our junior competitions or SSF (6’s to 21’s) for outstanding sportsmanship, attitude and punctuality, outstanding sporting ability or club loyalty and service.
The Gardner Shield Team Award
George Gardner has made a big contribution to the Engadine Crusaders Football Club as a patron, he helped to get the club going financially in its earlier days. A member of the Heathcote Engadine Baptist Church, George owned a jewellery business and property in Engadine for many years before retiring to Cronulla in 2012.
This award can be given to any team in the club and can be awarded for reasons including club loyalty and sportsmanship, teams with outstanding team spirit, teams which have overcome difficulties.
The Neville Bethe Coach/Manager Award
Neville Bethe has been a part of the Engadine Crusaders Football Club for almost 50 years. This award can be received by any coach or manager within the club.