Richard Newton has been recognised for his efforts in the development of cricket, while Jim Pennington, Alex Smith and David Drain have been rewarded for their work with rugby.

Newton has been made manager of the Combined Independent Schools Opens football team, which will compete at the NSW All Schools championships on June 16-17. 

He has coached the TAS First XI for several years and has also coached the North Coast Independent Schools representative team in 2013.

Pennington will manage the NSW Schools under 16s rugby team that will compete at the Australian All Schools championships in Canberra later in the year.

After spending the past 20 years managing and coaching various NSW Country Schools teams, convening the state championships and several international fixtures, Pennington said this was a wonderful opportunity for him to further his rugby development.

Among the teams competing in the NSW Schools selection trials will be the President’s Second XV.

Smith will coach that side which is comprised of students from the NSW GPS Schools. 

Smith is a former student and TAS First XV player who is now on staff at the school.

Adding to the rugby honours is David Drain, who has again been appointed as a selector of the Combined GPS Firsts, Second and Thirds’ representative teams.

Drain was previously chairman of selectors while working at St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill prior to relocating to TAS.

TAS headmaster Murray Guest congratulated the men on their appointments.

“Their achievements recognise their commitment to professional development in the sporting arena,” Guest said

“Often in their own time and for the benefit of not just our own boys but the broader sporting community.”