Conducted at NSW Parliament House, Caswell was one of 20 recipients from a wide cross-section of sports to receive their award from NSW minister for sport John Sidoti.

Caswell was honoured for her decades of dedicated and unselfish service to the Pony Club of NSW and has been instrumental in developing coaches and riders in both Lake Conjola and Jervis Bay Pony Clubs and across zone 28 which encompasses the Shoalhaven.

She has been the zone chief instructors member to the executive for the Pony Club Association of NSW since 2007, while being in the position of zone chief Instructor for zone 28 since 2001, and a club instructor since 1994.

Caswell is a valuable source of knowledge for both coaches and riders, particularly in Mounted Games and sporting disciplines.

"Sport in NSW relies on people such as Elaine who have voluntarily dedicated their time over many decades," Sport NSW chairperson Carolyn Campbell said.

"Put simply, sport would not exist without them.

"It is fitting these Distinguished Long Service Award recipients are recognised and honoured.

"It is because of their efforts that NSW remains the premier sports state in Australia.

"Without these hardworking, selfless volunteers, tens of thousands of boys and girls, men and women, would not be able to enjoy the health, social and community benefits sport provides.

"Sport remains at the heart of communities across NSW and has the unique ability to bring people from different cultures and backgrounds together."

The awards presentation evening also celebrated volunteers' outstanding achievements and excellence to over the past year, in categories such as Community Official of the Year, Young Official of the Year, Community Coach of the Year, Young Coach of the Year, Community Sports Administrator of the Year, Volunteer Director of the Year, Community Team of the Year, Community Club of the Year and Community Event of the Year.