Hockey stalwart Clint Mallett recognised for six decades of service

Mallett will receive a Distinguished Long Service Award at the NSW Community Sports Awards, presented by Sport NSW on June 19.

He started playing hockey when he was 10 and has been a member of Far North Coast Hockey for 61 years, where he has held numerous positions from sub-committees to executive roles.

The 70-year-old is a life member of FNC Hockey and the East Lismore Hockey Club.

He was awarded life Membership with East Lismore in 1983 and the FNC junior hockey Association in 1985.

Mallett has been involved in all aspects of hockey from complex upgrades, synthetic Turf installations, clubhouse construction and the upgrading of the club's water storage at the Goonellabah complex.

He has also made a mark on the field, representing New South Wales at the Masters Championships since the 2000s.

In 2017, Clint and his daughter, Kara Parish played in the same Masters team together.

He also represented the NSW over-70s squad at Perth in September.

Mallett was awarded a Special Volunteer Recognition Award by Hockey NSW as part of their 2023 Volunteer Recognition Awards during Volunteer Week.

He still plays and is FNC secretary.

Sport NSW Chairperson Chris Hall congratulated Mallett for his award.

Mallett will be one of 21 recipients from a wide cross-section of sports to receive their Award from NSW Sports Minister Steve Kamper.

"Volunteers such as Clint are the backbone of grassroots and community sport and it is fitting these Distinguished Long Service Award recipients are recognised and honoured," Hall said.

"We thank them for their years of selfless dedication which has enabled generations of boys and girls, men and women to participate in sport and enjoy the life skills, social benefits and community spirit that it provides," he said.

"Sport has the unique unifying ability to bring people of different cultures and backgrounds together. At the centre are the army of volunteers who each week dedicate themselves to ensure the games are played, the fields are marked, the canteen is stocked, and the barbecue is sizzling.

"Sport is at the heart of our local communities and, quite simply, sport would not exist without our magnificent volunteers," said Mr Hall.

The FNC hockey association is gearing up for the NSW women's masters championships which will run from July 26-28.