WESTERN Region sports co-ordinator Peter Ipkendanz was one of three people from the central west to recently receive life membership of the NSW Primary School Sports Association (PSSA).
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Along with Bathurst's Joanne Cafe and Cudgegong Valley's Jeff Williamson, Ipkendanz was awarded the highest honour available within the organisation.
Dubbo-based Ipkendanz has dedicated much of his life towards getting school children involved in sport and while he is now based in the central west, his career has taken him to all parts of the State.
He started teaching with his appointment to Cabramatta High School in 1978.
His passion for sport and in particular school sport was apparent in his initial years where he took up the role of Liverpool region golf convener, a position he would maintain until he commenced his position as the NSW Combined High School (CHS) golf convener in 1985 and 1986.
Ipkendanz's involvement at the NSW CHS also saw him take on the role of boys golf manager in 1983-84 where he travelled with the team to Australian Schools Championships in Newcastle and Darwin.
He was also carnival manager for NSW CHS Junior Golf Championships and Inter-Regional Championships during this time.
In 1987 he moved to Tamworth to take up the position of regional sports organiser for the North West SSA.
This would initiate Peter's involvement with the NSW PSSA, which has spanned over a quarter of a century.
During this time Peter has co-ordinated NSW PSSA and NSW CHS carnivals for the north-west and western regions, and the sub region Barrier.
This is believed to be more than 60 NSW PSSA state championships and one School Sport Australia Championship in cricket.
From his role as North West RSO (1987-1996) and Western RSO (1997-2012) Peter has been a delegate to the NSW PSSA Council.
He has attended the NSW PSSA swimming and athletics championships for 26 straight years, working in roles as timekeeper, marshal, judge and announcer.
He has also attended the cross country during this time, and for 18 years was a judge or chief judge.
The last eight he has supported the western region management.
Peter was a member of the NSW PSSA working party which oversaw the introduction of the non-government schools into the state championship program.
This was one of the most significant changes in structures witnessed during his involvement in the NSW PSSA.
Peter's experience and enthusiasm in school sport is reflected in his role as a regional sports organiser.
For the whole of his career in education Peter Ipkendanz has demonstrated professionalism, innovation and a desire to assist students and teachers of NSW state schools in the area of sport.
Peter represents one of many regional sports organisers from across the 10 regions that have played their part in building and maintaining the corporate knowledge and reputation of the NSW PSSA.