Ms Sharples was awarded the Community Volunteer of the Month at the soccer ground at Boundary Street, in recognition of her commitment to the Moree Junior Soccer Association.

“The Volunteer Award recognises someone we [Northern Inland Football] admire across the region,” she said.

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Ms Sharples has been with the local association for 16 years, 10 of which has been in the president’s chair. 

On top of the late nights responding to emails, Facebook messages and phone calls to parents, she is responsible for the successful running of the soccer games.

“What I love most about this role is the kids and seeing their smiles when they come up to the canteen,” Ms Sharples said.

Every Saturday morning, she is at the soccer grounds preparing the sports canteen. 

“I get here at 8am, before the coffee man is here,” she laughed.

She slices the fruit and fires up a sausage sizzle for the kids. To her count, she and her team of volunteers look after 315 children and 233 families.

While the reward of her work keeps Terry-Anne going, she admitted she had thought about retiring from the role many times.

“So many people have wanted me to stay on. I do it for them, and also because if I stop I don’t want to see the Association fold. I don’t want them to be disappointed,” she said.

The recent years have been particularly trying for Ms Sharples, after her son was diagnosed with kidney failure.

Despite the trips to the hospital at Tamworth for treatment during the week, the mother of two still manages to squeeze in time for the community on the weekend.

She praised the girls at the local soccer association for their incredible support.

“When I get to the canteen, I see they’ve set everything up. They have everything under control. They’re a wonderful lot,” she said.

Ms Sharples noted Moree certainly wasn’t short of giving support and passion to their sports.

“It’s fantastic [to receive the award]. That was a surprise. I thought I was passed it all,” she laughed.