Auckland Football chairman Mike Loftus and CEO David Parker presented the six recipients with medals and certificates to mark their extended contribution to the sport they love.

Administrators and volunteers from five Auckland Football clubs were recognised with Lynn-Avon United AFC’s Ann Sova, Papatoetoe AFC’s An Slecht, Bay Olympic’s Tony Andrews, Three Kings United’s Tony Pickering and Fencibles United AFC’s Danna Mandry singled out for their selfless work in growing and developing their clubs.

Auckland Football referee Peter Shackleton was also honoured for his tireless service to the game.

Slecht and Pickering were unable to attend the function to receive their awards in person but Papatoetoe AFC's Pam Luhrs and Three Kings United's Colleen King collected them on their behalf.

The newest six medallists join 12 previous recipients who have been honoured over the past year for their efforts in promoting football in Auckland.

Parker says it was a fitting to time honour the next batch of Long Service Medalists given the current publicity wave football is riding after a number of strong performances by New Zealand sides on the international stage.

“Given the tremendous service by the six newest Long Service Medallists, any time would be a good time to highlight what they’ve done for our game,” Parker said.

“But to be able to thank them all publicly for their contribution to our sport at a time when we are experiencing a boom in publicity and performance internationally is very pleasing given their respective roles in that success.”

Click the link below for the full list of Auckland Football Federation Long Service Medalists to date.

Ann Sova

Sova has been at the heart of Lynndale AFC, which later became Lynn-Avon Utd AFC, for the last 38 years holding a variety of positions in the club (currently as president); chairperson, treasurer and football delegate for both the junior and senior, men’s and women’s sides of the club. Sova also served many years on the executive committee for the Auckland Junior Football Association and also was Lynndale’s delegate to the women’s association.

An Slecht

Slecht joined Papatoetoe AFC in 1971 and soon after began managing the club canteen, serving the club in that position a further 18 years until 1993 when she became a life member. Slecht has also held a number of positions on the club’s junior and senior committees including junior chairperson, treasurer, registration delegate and gear steward and was a key member of a number of fundraising initiatives the club have taken part in over the years.

Tony Andrews

Andrews was a founder member of the Green Bay Titirangi Sports Club in 1972 and served two stints as secretary before becoming a life member in 1982. After the club merged with Blockhouse Bay to become Bay Olympic, he became part of the club’s Junior Committee from 1998 to 2001 and has currently sits on the executive committee, a role he began in 2003. He is also a member of the football committee, is the club’s match-day programme editor, match-day announcer and after-match speaker.

Tony Pickering

Pickering was elected to the Eden AFC Management Committee in 1985 initially as gear steward and publicity officer before becoming treasurer at the club in 1988 - a role he performed up until the club merged with Mt Roskill AFC to form Three Kings United in 1995. Since then he has been a member of the Three Kings United executive committee holding various positions including treasurer and more recently secretary. Pickering is a Three Kings United life member.

Danna Mandry

Mandry has been with her club since Howick AFC and Pakuranga Town AFC came together to form Fencibles United AFC in 1995. Mandry has been the club secretary for 10 years and has filled the role of women's club captain, youth coordinator, building and facilities manager, bar manager, caterer, cleaner, mentor to many of the youth players at the club.

Peter Shackleton

Shackleton joined the Auckland Soccer Referees Association in 1988 at age 55. Over the next 20 years he refereed almost exclusively at youth and secondary schools matches while being acknowledged along the way by the now Auckland Football Federation Referees with a number of awards. During that time he also served six years as Youth Appointments Officer as well as seven seasons, including 2009, on the executive committee. Shackleton is now also a referee coach.

Photo by Auckland Football