2011 Community Sport and Recreation Awards

Victoria is renowned for its sporting culture. Thousands of people across Victoria are involved in community sport, be that hitting the heights as a competitor, getting the best out of our participants as coaches, or administering our clubs to the highest standards. These are the sporting heroes who make sport what it is.

The Victorian Government’s Community Sport and Recreation Awards recognise and celebrate the significant contribution made by Victorians in shaping our community sport and recreation landscape.

Sport and Recreation Victoria received many inspirational stories of clubs and individuals who have gone above and beyond in their dedication to both their sport and local community.

On Wednesday 30 November the Hon Hugh Delahunty MP, Minister for Sport and Recreation, honoured the best of 2011. 

Victoria’s 2011 award winners are:

Community Sporting Club of the Year

The Robinvale Football Netball Club is more than just a sporting club; it is the nucleus of the town’s community spirit. The club provides recreational and social opportunities for local individuals and families. In particular, it has worked hard to harness the  multicultural community, with initiatives such as the ‘Together We Are One’ Indigenous Round and Harmony matches. The Club has also developed local partnerships to deliver better health outcomes, including the Good Sports program, the QUIT initiative and the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s pink ribbon campaign.

Finalists:  

Sale Tennis Club
Echuca Junior Football Club

Community Participation Award

Lucknow Cricket Club

Four years ago, the Lucknow Cricket Club established a long-term goal to involve the local Indigenous community in senior cricket. Today, the club is starting to see the fruits of their labour with 25 Indigenous children signing up to play in the Under 13s team, and transitioning into senior selection. The club credits creating a welcoming culture as a critical factor in its success.

Finalists:   

St Albans Sports Club
Tony Yao, La Trobe University Badminton Club

Young Sportsperson of the Year

Georgia Holden, La Trobe University Touch Club

In less than 12 months, Georgia Holden has taken up a new sport of Touch Rugby and has developed into an elite player who is now representing her State at National Competitions. In her short time in the sport, Georgia has competed at the National Youth Championships and the Australian University Games. Her achievements in such a short space of time are the source of inspiration for her teammates who have witnessed her rapid rise to success.

Finalists:   

Juliette Haddow, Glenhuntly Athletics Club / Monbulk Pony Club
Steven Qui, Kobudo Kai Martial Arts

Senior Sportsperson of the Year

Russel Wood, Koryo Taekwondo

At 70 years of age, Russell Wood is a seventh Dan Taekwondo black belt who trains and teaches almost every day. In 1976 he founded the Koryo TKD Club, which today boasts 800 students across 15 venues in metropolitan and country Victoria. Known as ‘superman’, Russell leads by example and continues to compete, including at a recent tournament in China where he finished sixth in the world.

Finalists:   

Roey Bice, Tyntynder Football Netball Club
David Ceeney, Monbulk Rangers Soccer Club

Service to Sport Award

Nick Mills, Western Park Management Committee

Nick Mills has been a passionate and hard working volunteer at the Western Park Recreation Reserve and the Warragul Football and Cricket Club for more than 30 years. From cleaning and preparing footy change rooms to maintaining the oval turf, Nick has worked tirelessly to keep the facilities in top condition. Nick has also helped to develop and promote All Abilities Footy by improving ground access and disabled toilet facilities.

Finalists:   

Maxine Parlby, Marong Football Netball Club
Des Jess, Donald Netball Club

Diversity Award

YMCA, Dandenong Oasis Inclusive Communities Practice

Dandenong Oasis Inclusive Communities was developed out of a desire to identify and respond to issues faced by local people. Over the last two years, seven health and fitness programs have been introduced to assist new arrivals, refugees and members of the Indigenous community to feel more connected to their community through, cultural dance, aquatic programs and boxing sessions.

Finalists:   

Sunbury Community Health Centre’s KickStart Swimming Program
Just for Kicks Football Academy

Local Sporting Hero Award

Ron Trimble, Newbridge Football Netball Club

Ron Trimble was a premiership player at the Newbridge Football and Netball Club in 1978. More than 30 years on, Ron is still an iconic figure at the club, and a driving force behind its recovery following the floods early in 2011. He coordinated the working bees with past and present players to get the club back on track, providing the energy and leadership needed to tackle the extensive damage.

Finalists:   

Chris Hatzoglou, Sunshine Heights Cricket Club
Steve Utting, Monbulk Cricket Club

Community Coach of the Year

Sally Brownridge, Monbulk Pony Club

Sally Brownridge has been a mainstay at the Monbulk Pony Club’s Mounted Games teams for more than a decade. She coaches at every rally, and encourages riders of all levels to participate, holding extra sessions and accompanying teams to competitions in her own time. She devotes countless unpaid hours to recruiting and training riders, is heavily involved all club fundraising activities, and has never once missed a working bee.

Finalists:   

Anthony Vanjek, Bannockburn Football Development Program
Geoff Waters, Point Leo Surf Life Saving Club

Minister’s Award Sportsperson of the Year

Ellie Blackburn, Berwick Womens Football Club and the AFL Victoria's Youth Girls Academy

Ellie Blackburn is a remarkable young Victorian who has made a tremendous contribution to her sport and her local community in Berwick. She is a great example of a young athlete who has gone above and beyond in her dedication and resolve throughout the year.

There’s no doubt she’s an outstanding athlete, playing against opponents almost twice her age she’s become an inspirational member of the Berwick Womens Football Club, winning the club’s best and fairest as well as leading goal kicker.
           
Ellie has captained the under 16s School Sport Victoria football team as well as the Victorian Under 18s football team; with both going on to win their respective national championships.

In 2010, Ellie undertook a number of volunteer roles for the Victorian state team, assisting her team mates throughout the season. Through this dedication, she earned her position in the 2011 team and she has since thrived both on and off the field.  

Ellie was voted the most outstanding player in this year’s AFL Victoria Metropolitan Championships grand final and has won AFL Victoria's annual leadership award for her inspirational performances in Victoria’s U18 Womens team. These achievements have earned Ellie All-Australian selection and has since been invited by the AFL to join its prestigious 2012 Women's High Performance Academy.

Off the park, Ellie plays a significant role in mentoring other young talented footballers and cricketers in pursuit of their own dreams and aspirations. Thanks to her volunteer work in delivering clinics to local schools as part of AFL Victoria's Youth Girls Academy, hundreds of school kids, especially girls, are one step closer to realising their dreams of becoming local sports stars.

At 16 years old, Ellie is an inspirational example of someone that has put their hand up, willingly, and selflessly to get involved and help others achieve. It is passion like hers that brings Victorians together, week in and week out to play sport, share their stories, and celebrate community.

The awards are proudly sponsored by AFL Victoria, Deakin University, Victoria University, Football Federation Victoria, Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre Institute of Training and Netball Victoria. 

Sport and Recreation Victoria congratulates all winners, finalists and nominees and wishes them well in the 2012 sporting season. 

For further details on the awards program, please contact Mick Coyne of Sport and Recreation Victoria on 03 9935 8013 or mick.coyne@sport.vic.gov.au