Adele Saunders OAM and Max Debnam have dedicated a combined 124 years to the sports they love - netball and athletics.
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It is for their "dedicated and unselfish service" to their codes that the were pair were honoured with Distinguished Long Service Awards at NSW Sport's community awards on June 20.
Saunders, from Newcastle, and Debnam, from Adamstown, were two of just 20 recipients from a wide cross-section of sports to receive the award from NSW Minister for Sport, John Sidoti, at Parliment House in Sydney.
Sport NSW chairwoman Carolyn Campbell said Saunders and Debnam were worthy award recipients.
"Sport in NSW relies on people such as Adele and Max who have voluntarily dedicated their time over many decades," Campbell said.
"Put simply, sport would not exist without them.
"Without these hard-working, selfless volunteers, tens of thousands of boys and girls, men and women, would not be able to enjoy the health, social and community benefits sport provides."
Saunders was honoured for 65 years of service to netball.
In addition to playing and umpiring at the state and Australian level, Saunders has worked as an administrator for Newcastle Netball Association - she has been the president since 1979 - and the Hunter region.
Saunders has served on the Newcastle City Sports Advisory Committee, the Festival of Sport Committee and helped form the Hunter Academy of Sport's netball program and umpires section, Hunter Jaegers and Hunter State league.
Saunders lectured for the Department of Sport and Recreation at Newcastle and Lismore, been a member of the Trans Tasman Sports Committee, Eastern University Games Committee, 8th Australian Master Games Committee and Mattara Festival Committee for Netball.
She was recently appointed as a Patron of Newcastle Netball Association in recognition of her long and faithful service and was also awarded Life Membership to Netball NSW for distinguished services to Netball NSW.
Debnam has been working in athletics for 59 years as a personal and national team coach, educator and author of coaching articles.
He has coached athletes in 25 international events, including Olympians and Commonwealth Games medallists, since starting his career in 1960.
Debnam was involved in the Hunter Academy of Sport athletics program for 20 years and served as a club administration for 19 years.
He has been awarded life memberships with Athletics Australia, Athletics NSW, Hunter Academy of Sport and Macquarie Hunter Club.
