Leaders of football in northern NSW
Our dedicated leaders are passionate about growing football in northern NSW and developing players and the communities we live in.
Chair – Mike Parsons
Mike Parsons was elected to the Northern NSW Football board and made chair in December 2022.
His earliest football memories are of attending matches with his father before playing under-8s with Concord United in Sydney.
Parsons grew up around football, with his love of the game continuing into adulthood where he has enjoyed time as a player, coach, referee and administrator.
The 65-year-old’s biggest priority is transparency and engaging stakeholders in decision-making processes.
“It is an absolute pleasure, privilege and honour to be able to chair the Northern NSW Football board and lead football moving forward,” Parsons said.
Deputy Chair – Mark Trenter
Mark Trenter was elected to the Northern NSW Football board in May 2021 and made deputy chair in December 2022.
His first football memory was watching the 1966 World Cup final between England and Germany as an eight-year-old.
Having represented Wales at under-21 level and helped West Bromwich Albion win the 1976 FA Youth Cup, football brought Trenter to Australia.
Trenter’s focus is on improving Northern NSW Football’s premier competitions as well as enhancing player development.
Director – Lauren Edwards
Lauren Edwards was elected to the Northern NSW Football board in December 2022.
Edwards, from Lismore, is a lawyer with a particular focus on governance. Those skills and experience as well as her long-standing connection to football will be incredibly valuable to the organisation.
Her earliest football memory is sitting outside the changeroom listening to her dad’s team sing their victory song. She loves community football and has coached her son’s team since the under-6s.
Edwards loves the community aspect of football and the sense of family it creates, particularly in regional areas.
“Nothing beats it. You go out to play football and you’re removed from any other dynamics like work or school or social media. You’re there with likeminded individuals playing the sport. It’s like an escape,” Edwards said.
Director – Lisa Evans
Lisa Evans was elected to the Northern NSW Football board in December 2022.
Evans is a qualified accountant and will bring her vast financial management skills to the organisation.
Her priority is ensuring NNSWF is sustainable and financially sound into the future through her astute ability to assess organisations.
Evans’ love of football comes from her family, with her husband and children lovers of the beautiful game.
“I love people who love football. My husband, daughter and son are all football tragics so I’ve been on the sideline for years getting to understand the game. The last few years I’ve played socially and now understand why they love it so much which is why I’m now a part of it,” Evans said.
Director – Paul Sandilands
Paul Sandilands was elected to the Northern NSW Football board in December 2022.
From the Forster-Tuncurry area, Sandilands’ love of football began in the early 1970s.
He was been involved as an administrator of the game for the last 30 years. Sandilands founded the Viking Challenge almost three decades ago, with the tournament growing from 14 teams to 170 teams in that time.
Sandilands said he looked forward to bringing new ideas to NNSWF, with a focus on the entire region, as well as honesty, passion, drive and divergent thinking.
Director – David Willoughby
David Willoughby was elected to the Northern NSW Football board in December 2022.
Willoughby, from Branxton in the Hunter Valley, first became involved in football as a six-year-old in 1970 when his parents walked him up to Marks Oval to sign up to play with Belmont JSC.
He describes himself as a student of the game and brings almost 45 years of experience to the board thanks to his roles in football as a player, coach, manager, referee and administrator.
Willoughby’s goal is help support the improvement and progression of the game across northern NSW.