Two of NSW Pool Lifesaving Sport’s finest Rozlynn Grey OAM and Andrew Bowden were deservingly acknowledged for their outstanding contributions at Sport NSW’s Community Sports Awards on Thursday 29 June 2023.

Rozlynn Grey OAM - 2023 Valour Sport Community Official of the Year

Roz, a veteran in the Pool Lifesaving Sport community with 60 years of involvement. Her contributions span everything from an Athlete to Coach, Mentor, Manager, Chairwoman of the NSW Club and Competition Committee, Officials representative on the National Sports Committee, Elected Member of the NSW & National Honours Committee, and as various Senior Competition Management and Officiating positions at NSW, Australia, Commonwealth, and International Lifesaving Competitions. Furthermore, Roz has actively contributed to the International Lifesaving community through various coaching and athlete development workshops with Commonwealth lifesaving nations.

For her significant contribution to lifesaving Mrs. Rozlynn Grey was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) as part of 2018 Australia Day Honours. Roz is often affectionately described as the cornerstone of lifesaving activities across Australia.

Andrew Bowden - 2023 Sportscover Community Sport Administrator of the Year

Andrew has contributed his extensive coaching experience and knowledge to the sport and most importantly to the members of the Pool Lifesaving community for many years. After transitioning from one of the world’s top Lifesaving athletes, Andrew has given back to the sport through his involvement from a grassroots club level, all the way up to Assistant Coach of the Australian Lifesaving Team (ALT).

Through Andrews appointment as the Chairman of the NSW Club and Competition Committee, and NSW Representative on the National Sports Committee he has successfully led and overseen the activities of the committee. He is a skilled leader who is able to manage different personalities and perspectives, facilitate collaboration, and promote productive discussions and decision making.

Andrew played a crucial role in the amalgamation of RLSNSW and SLSNSW in the creation of a jointly hosted NSW Pool Lifesaving Championships. This ensured that both organisations’ values and opinions were equally respected. The commitment Andrew has shown to the sport of Pool Lifesaving is hard to encapsulate and should be highly acknowledged and rewarded.

Royal Life Saving NSW have immense gratitude to both Rozlynn and Andrew for volunteering their precious time to support, guide, contribute and share their respective vast experience for the continued growth and development of the sport of Pool Lifesaving and its members.

The heart of a volunteer is never measured in size, but by the depth of the commitment to make a difference in the lives of others – DeAnn Hollis

The NSW Sports Awards have been running since 1994, and serve to celebrate the achievements of athletes, coaches, officials, administrators and organisations on an annual basis. To view all recipients from the 2023 NSW Community Sports Awards, check out https://www.facebook.com/sportnsw