Armando Gardiman has ended his tenure as Director and Chairman of Canterbury & District Soccer Football Association after completing his fourth consecutive term, the maximum allowed as per the CDFSA constitution.
Gardiman, a committed football supporter who has contributed to the game for many years, departs his position with football in the Canterbury region in a much stronger position than when he entered.
Initially serving on the board in 2005 and 2006 as Senior Vice President, Gardiman re-joined in 2012 before the board structure and constitution was altered in 2014.
From there, Gardiman served as a director until 2019 when he was elected Chairman.
Throughout his long service, Gardiman’s focus has always squarely on the grassroots level of football: with his actions dictated by what is best for the foundations of the game.
His talents and passion for law also saw Gardiman as a key figure in the creation of the Disciplinary Committee as an independent tribunal and rejuvenation of the judicial process.
His achievements in football and in life has seen him recognised with a State Award from Football NSW (2007), membership of the Order of Australia by the Australian Government (2016), and a Vince and Val Laws Medal (2022), Life Membership (2018), and a Cec Barlow Award (2018) from CDSFA.
CDSFA thanks Gardiman for his long and successful tenure serving the Association and football in his region.
Ian Holmes, recently CEO of CDSFA, said Gardiman was a once-in-a-lifetime leader for the Association.
“Armando has been a pivotal figure in our game. Not just within the Association but across the football landscape in NSW. He has been a true leader,” said Holmes.
“Intelligent, thoughtful, and fearless. Armando has that rare ability to sift through a debate or discussion to get to the core of an issue. In the Boardroom Armando always set a tone of intolerance for anything that may get in the way of making the right decision or setting the correct course of action.
“It is said the best leaders bring out the best in other people. Armando, in football parlance, represents the team captain who cares more about making his teammates look good rather than being in the spotlight.
“People want to follow a leader like Armando. A leader who cares deeply for the game. A leader who acts as a servant to the game. A leader who respects the primacy of the game. A leader who believes in fair play. A leader who is driven by a culture that requires football to be open, welcoming, and encompassing of everyone. A leader with exceptional vision and intuitive ability to understand and be able to reach across our diverse game and the role it plays in the community.
“It has been an honour and a privilege to work and collaborate with Armando. Football has been enriched by his selfless contribution to the game. I have no hesitation in saying Armando is a once in a lifetime leader.”
Feature image credit: Photographed with Love
