Father’s Day is Sunday 4 September, and a local community coach and dad has been nominated for the tenth annual Phillips Community Sports Dad of the Year.

A Kiama dad Lachlan Payne was wonderfully surprised by his wife Sherrie Paynen on the footy field during training and The Bugle was right on the spot at the Kiama showground when Sherrie told him he had been nominated for Community Sports Dad of the Year on Friday 18th August 2023.

Every athlete has a story about who has supported them over the years. In many cases this has been a parent, coach or community volunteer who has committed to championing community sports from the sidelines or behind the scenes. Lachlan clearly has been that person for very many players over a long time period.

Lachlan is the coach of three rugby league girls teams for the Kiama Knights, the U16s, the U14s, and U12s. He has three daughters who play for the teams, Charlotte Payne (U16), Eadie Payne (U14), and Jimmi Payne (U12). Two teams have progressed to Grand Finals next week on Saturday 26 August and the third is in a final a week earlier on Saturday 19 August.

Lachlan is the current club vice president of the Kiama Knights and been a committee member for many years and well known for being up for any job, whether for canteen or ground manager, to BBQ or first aid.

Sherrie said “My husband Lachlan has been coaching many teams for years and he deserves the recognition.”

Damien Cook, Rabbitohs and NSW Origin star won the 2022 Celebrity Sports Dad of the Year award. He knows first-hand the support he received from his own dad growing up and aspires to do the same with his kids, Willow and Jagger.

“Speaking from experience with my own dad when I was younger, community dads are so important with the roles they cover - from being a coach, setting up fields, refereeing and driving us to and from training and on-game days. 

“My dad did this all while working full time and then worked overtime just to earn the extra time off to be able to get me to and from my commitments and be there to support me. I’ll always be grateful for that.”

Submissions for YOUR nomination close at midnight AEST on Tuesday, 22 August 2023 so get in quick!

To nominate a community sports dad, submit 100 words on why they should win via www.sportsdads.com.au The winner will be notified prior to Father’s Day, Sunday, 3 September, with the prize pack including a Philips male grooming pack valued at over $1,000 RRP, as well as a $5,000 Rebel Sports voucher to purchase new clothing or sporting equipment for the community sports club of choice. Those who nominate the successful dad will also have the chance to win a Philips OneBlade Pro ahead of Father’s Day.