The awards, presented by Sport NSW recognise outstanding achievements and contributions to community sport during the past year.

The large majority of community sport work is done by volunteers and Auld is one of those, having been a part of football and a Dubbo and wider level for almost four decades.

He will be one of 23 Distinguished Long Service Award recipients at Parramatta's Bankwest Stadium.

"Sport in NSW relies on people such as Jim who have generously devoted countless hours of their time, year in and year, out over many decades. Sport in NSW is forever in their debt," Sport NSW chairperson Carolyn Campbell said.

"It is fitting these Distinguished Long Service Award recipients are recognised and honoured. They have given the opportunity to so many to play sport and allow them to enjoy the physical, mental, and social benefits sports participation provides.

"They have been dedicated champions for their sport and have provided a magnificent community legacy for others to aspire to and follow."

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Auld began at Umina Beach, managing his eldest son's team in 1985, which continued when he and his family moved to Narromine in 1987 due to his employment.

Following a further career move to Dubbo in December 1994, his involvement in football escalated the following season.

In 1995, Auld began his involvement with the Dubbo Westside Panthers club juniors. In 1996, he began either managing or coaching at least three teams a year, and he continued managing or coaching three teams a year for around 15 years.

Auld was convinced to take up the role of treasurer for the Dubbo and District Football Association in 1998. He still holds the position of secretary/manager today, which incorporates the roles of association registrar, secretary, member protection officer, coaching coordinator, website manager and tribunal chairperson.

He was elected to the Western NSW Branch Management Committee in 2007. From this role, he became the Western NSW Branch delegate to the Football NSW Junior Standing Committee, which later became the Football NSW Associations Standing Committee. He has remained a member of the standing committee to this day. In 2012, he became the chair of the Western NSW Branch, a role that he also still holds today.

Due to his role in the Dubbo association, Auld has also been the delegate to the Dubbo City Council's Sports Council for the past 23 years. Additionally, he was the coordinator of the Western Premier League from 2003 to 2011 which involved being the treasurer, competition secretary, registrar, and tribunal chair.

Once the local football season drew to a close, Auld turned his attention to being the coordinator of the Football NSW Girls State Titles while the competition operated in Dubbo for a round 10 years. And now adding another football skill to his repertoire, Auld has been refereeing community matches since 2018.

Auld was inducted as a Life Member of the Dubbo & District Soccer Association in 2007, and in the 2009 Dubbo Sports Council Awards ceremony he received the Individual Contribution Award to Football.

In addition, he was awarded the Football NSW State Award in 2010 for his contribution to the Dubbo and District Football Association.