2023 Victorian Sport Awards Finalists
Congratulations to the below individuals, organisations, clubs and Local Government Authorities for progressing through to the finalist stage of the 2023 Victorian Sport Awards (VSAs). Winners will be announced when the VSAs are held at Marvel Stadium on Wednesday 12 June, 2024.
This award is open to Victorian community coaches who have made a significant contribution to their club and/or association/district during the 2023 calendar year, with a particular focus on improving community sport through encouraging participation, fairness, integrity and making sport more welcoming and inclusive.
Finalists
Chris Allen - Rugby Union Senior Men's coach of the first XV team at Harlequin Rugby Club, Chris Allen led his side to 15 wins from 16 games in the VAILO Dewar Shield, claiming the Minor Premiership before going on to secure the Championship, both for the second time in as many years. Known for his ability to remain composed under pressure as well as his humility towards players, fellow coaches and club members, Chris has helped Harlequin become the premier force in Victorian rugby. His performances have been rewarded by assuming the Assistant Coaching role with the Victorian state Men’s Team. |
Jimmy Soufis - Futsal
|
Manuela Dalla Costa - Athletics Wearing
a number of hats, Manny Dalla Costa is Head Coach of the Special Olympics
Australia – Melbourne Inner East (MIE) club’s weekly Athletics program, Head
Coach & Coaching Coordinator at Kew Little Athletics Club and is involved
in the Athletics in Schools program delivered to various primary schools and
coaching at a number of secondary schools, loving all her roles immensely.
Manny champions inclusion and participation for all-abilities through adaptive
equipment and personalised instructions for individual athletes, enjoying
seeing their development. She helped boost MIE Athletics participation by 20%
to reach a record high and saw three of her MIE athletes earn gold and four
bronze medals at the 2023 Special Olympic Games.
|
Tina Keown - Tennis
|
This award is open to Victorian coaches who have achieved outstanding coaching performance/s with Victorian athlete/s or teams during the 2023 year.
Finalists
Brody Riley - Sailing Developing a core group of VIS laser sailors who compete at state, national and international level, Brody Riley demonstrated a consistently high performance through 2023. He led members of his VIS Squad to a sweep of the podium places in the Overall Male category at the 2023 Australian Laser nationals, coached athletes to top finishes at the Trofeo Princesa Sofia regatta in Spain and at French Olympic Week while also leading a team of six sailors at the ILCA 6 Laser Youth World Championships. Combined, these efforts saw him collect Coach of the Year honours at the 2023 Victorian Sailing Awards. |
Nick Owen - Para-cycling A major advocate for para-cycling, Nick Owen’s passion
for the sport has resulted in Victorian participation numbers rising
significantly while he has fostered a proper team environment by championing
grassroots competition all the way through to the elite level. Working for
AusCycling as Olympic Fast Track Paralympic Manager and Coach, his results in
2023 included seven gold medals in the road race and time trial at the Road
Nationals, five gold medals at the Oceania Road Championships, three gold
medals at the Uni Sport Games and a gold, two silvers and a bronze medal at the
Para-cycling track World Championships.
|
Peter McNeil - Skiing Coaching the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia mogul skiing program, Peter McNeil mentored Matt Graham and Jakara Anthony to a combined 13 World Cup medals in 2023 that included a double-gold medal performance at the FIS World Cup. Individually, Matt also won two medals to become just the second Australian to achieve the feat while Jakara finished the 2023 season ranked number one in the world to earn her third Crystal Globe trophy. Peter spends countless hours working on the mogul skiing pathway, upskilling the next wave of coaching talent as well as running training camps and events. |
Yosafe Zakoulouta - Taekwondo A role model for the taekwondo youth both on and off the mat, Yosafe Zakoulouta is the coach of junior taekwondo star Kerim Yilmaz. Yosafe took his athlete to new heights in 2023 as he won the KPNP Open’s in Victoria and NSW before bringing home a gold medal at the Australia Open. He then headed to the World Championships in Sarajevo and claimed bronze, becoming the first Australian male cadet to win a taekwondo medal at an international competition. |
This award is open to Victorian Masters athletes or teams who have achieved outstanding results in respect to their performances at a national and/or international level during the 2023 calendar year.
Finalists
John Allen - Triathlon |
Michelle Hill - Tennis |
Nadene Gole - Golf |
Sharyn Harris - Artistic Roller Skating |
This award recognises the exceptional contribution made by a volunteer to the Victorian sport and active recreation community during the 2023 calendar year. The recipient's contribution will have provided benefit to, or had a positive impact upon, an individual sport or the industry and their contribution and commitment will have distinguished them from their peers.
Finalists
Adam Webb - Swimming As President of Bendigo Hawks Aquatic, Adam Webb led the development of a three-year strategic plan, established non-negotiable values to underpin the club’s culture and revitalised relationships between the three Bendigo based Swimming Victoria affiliated clubs. Forming ten new strategic partnerships with local businesses helped achieve a 225% increase in free come-and-try squad swimming participation, 133% increase in club membership while four Swimming Victoria sanctioned events were successfully run for 1000+ swimmers. These efforts resulted in winning Swimming Victoria’s Club of the Year as well as the Community Award at the Bendigo Sports Star of the Year Awards for the Lap Legends initiative, a community participation and inclusion experience for non-competitive swimmers.
| Catherine Gordon - Volleyball Secretary, Life Member and MPIO of Maroondah
Volleyball for the past 14 years, Catherine Gordon’s fundraising abilities are
an inspiration to all as she raised $14,250 for the Royal Children’s Hospital
Good Friday appeal through their Good Friday Volleyball Tournament and another $10,000
for breast cancer research through Volleyball Victoria’s pink round. Catherine
strongly promotes equal opportunity and equality, inclusion and cultural
diversity through the ‘VolleyAll’ initiative, an Australian-first
program for people of all abilities to participate in activities adjacent to
current Maroondah Volleyball courses as well as leading Little Spikets (ages
1-3) and Little Spikers (3-5) which develop social and movement skills within a
family friendly environment.
|
Hayden Eastwood - Tennis Hayden Eastwood’s
goal as President of Castlemaine Lawn Tennis Club is to use his sport as a
vehicle to connect all aspects of the community. Initiatives have included an LGBTIQ+
Pride event and Rainbow Sets which provides weekly tennis specifically for the LGBTIQ+
community. A Future Stars program allows children to play tennis the way they
want, an Acknowledge of Country sign was added to the club, ‘Smashing the
Patriarchy, one ball at a time’ focused on increasing female participation, ‘LoveAll’
strengthened ties with marginalised sections of the community and ‘Art of
Winning’ consolidated ties with Castlemaine artistic communities as the Club
truly proved they were open to all.
| Nathan Maiava - Rugby Union In addition to serving as
head coach of the Under-14A team and assistant coach of the senior men (both of
which won 2023 Premierships), Nathan Maiava holds the position of Melton
Warriors Rugby Club President. Under his watch, junior participation numbers increased
by 33% in 2023 and his role as an accredited Victorian Rugby referee saw him
guide the club to achieve 100% Smart Rugby Compliance. Nathan also runs junior
training before school and a Homework Club after school to allow players to focus
on their education in a culture centred on discipline and teamwork. His
tireless efforts saw him named Volunteer of the Year at Rugby Victoria’s 2023
Awards Night.
|
This award recognises an outstanding community sporting event that has been delivered successfully and benefitted the local community in 2023. The event will have demonstrated inclusive practices and provided benefit to, or had a positive impact upon, an individual sport or the local community.
Finalists
2023 Country Week - Tennis Victoria |
2023 Special Olympics Victoria State Games - Special Olympics Australia Through collaborative partnerships with City of Casey, the YMCA and others, the 2023 Special Olympics Victoria State Games fostered an environment of inclusivity, accessibility and local involvement for 499 athletes with intellectual disabilities across ten sports. Participation data revealed enough interest to allow for a 50% increase in State Games competitions in 2024 as well as the ability to onboard more spectators (1000 in 2023) and volunteers. Integrating seamlessly into the community fabric, this event allowed all those involved to develop a greater awareness of people with a disability in sport and realise the potential ongoing participation opportunities.
|
Annual Primary Schools Twilight Tournament - Sale United Football Club |
Australian Championships - Dragon Boat Victoria |
This award is open to Victorian community officials who have demonstrated excellence in their role as an official of their chosen sport during the 2023 year.
Finalists
Jim Baskin - Little Athletics Having officiated at every level since 2008, Jim Baskin sat down with Little Athletics Victoria to review the organisation’s approach to key championship events in 2023. This discussion resulted in a streamlining of event bump-in/bump-out procedures, a more efficient officiating structure, an improved event program for athletes and families as well as cost savings across the board. Acutely aware of the ongoing need for officials, Jim allowed several individuals to shadow him at the 2023 State Relay Championships and these 'mentorees' can now stand in for Jim and perform the Meeting Manager role while also potentially succeeding him further down the track. |
Marita Rieniets - Athletics
|
Oliver Kellett - Rugby Union
|
Russell Turner - Cricket
|
https://www.sportsaccounting.com.au/
This award is open to Victorian officials who have demonstrated excellence in their role as an official of their chosen sport during the 2023 year.
Finalists
Amber McLachlan - Rugby Union A Super W referee as well as the first female to referee the Dewar Shield grand final (the highest level possible for Victorian rugby union), Amber McLachlan soared to new heights in 2023 when she was appointed to the opening game of the Women's Six Nations between Wales and Ireland in March. Part of Rugby Australia’s Match Official Leadership Program which assists in fast-tracking the development of female referees, Amber also utilises her Masters of Exercise Rehab skills to organise fitness training sessions for her fellow officials. |
Ben Fels - Sailing
|
Clare Taylor - Short Track Speed Skating Facilitating the Regional Officials Seminar in conjunction with the National Championships each year, Clare Taylor trains officials from around Oceania and Asia in a combination of theory and practice with additional skill development opportunities also offered. As an International Skating Union Official, Clare assists with training via online seminars that are often run on European time and she also travels to international seminars, ensuring she is up to date on the latest rules and interpretations which she can then relay to fellow Victorian and Australian officials. |
Daniel Flahive - Water Polo
|
https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/
This award recognises the work of individuals, clubs, teams, groups or organisations (including SSAs) who have succeeded in enabling more people to participate in active recreation during the 2023 calendar year. This could be through a single initiative, event or longer-term initiative (i.e. program, project or campaign) which has provided significant benefit to Victorian sport during 2023.
Finalists
Inverloch Pickleball - Gippsport & Inverloch Community House |
Positive Starts - Wyndham Netball Association |
Starfish Nippers Carnival - Hampton LSC & Life Saving Victoria |
Women's Introduction to Motorsport Program - Motorsport Australia |
https://www.rebelsport.com.au/
This award recognises Victorian junior athletes who have achieved outstanding results in respect to performance/s at a national and/or international level during the 2023 calendar year.
Finalists
Brock Batty - Trampolining |
Cameron Gatt - BMX |
Jack Howell - Paratriathlon In just 12 months of international racing since commencing
in 2022, Jack Howell has won five medals for Australia and become the youngest
PTS5 international competitor in World Para Triathlon. In 2023, Jack won two
gold medals at nationals and three silver medals at the World Triathlon Para
Series in Japan as well as the Oceania Triathlon Para Championships to finish
the year placed sixth in the world rankings. Jack later went on to win gold at
the World Triathlon Series in Devonport and is ranked third in World Triathlon
Paralympic Qualifying in the lead-up to Paris 2024.
|
Kerim Yilmaz - Taekwondo |
This award recognises the coverage of elite and community sport to the wider public via various online, digital, broadcast and/or print media platforms in 2023. Through positive and inspiring media coverage, the sport has benefited from an improved public-facing image, increased participation, inclusivity and/or greater exposure.
Finalists
Bowls Victoria - Lawn Bowls Live-streaming 14 rounds plus a finals series, Bowls
Victoria broadcast the complete Metropolitan Pennant Premier Division in
2023-24. Featuring up to three commentators per match with high-end graphics
and scoring, clubs were provided at least one streamed game on a rotating basis
throughout the season. Showcasing Victoria’s elite bowlers as well as grassroots
players demonstrates the sport at its most diverse with all genders playing
alongside each other at an elite level and all ages competing on a level
playing field, helping to dissuade the notion of the sport being only for older
people.
|
Radio 3ZZZ - Football |
Renegades Recruit - Cricket An in-house produced miniseries from
Cricket Victoria, Renegades Recruit featured contestants from a Premier Cricket
level background demonstrating their talents with the goal to train and play
for the Melbourne Renegades’ BBL and WBBL teams. Broadcast on 7+ and Facebook,
the high-quality production encouraged communities to support their local contestants
and the significant media coverage successfully kept cricket in the
consciousness during the sport’s off-season. Promoting equity with both male
and female competitions, the show attracted 2.9 million views while over 5,000
votes were submitted during the final episodes.
|
Swimming Victoria - Swimming Committing to broadcast all state level events at MSAC
and regional venues, Swimming Victoria’s (SV) live-stream product has created a
space for budding commentators and sports presenters to gain experience and
exposure in a fast-paced swimming meet environment while viewers now have
access to more of the sport than ever before. 2023 saw SV partner with Kayo
Freebies while continuing to broadcast live via YouTube, with the combined
viewership exceeding 35,000. A second instalment of the show ‘Commentary Training’
was also run, utilising a Change Our Game grant to take ten women through the
fundamentals of sports broadcasting, hosted by Tiffany Cherry and SV’s Chelsea
Ryan.
|
This award recognises a Victorian individual athlete who has achieved outstanding results in respect to performance/s at a national/international level in the male category during the 2023 year.
Finalists
Ahmed Kelly - Swimming |
Heath Davidson - Wheelchair Tennis |
Mark Blake - Pistol Shooting |
Scotty James - Snowboarding |
This award recognises a Victorian individual athlete who has achieved outstanding results in respect to performance/s at a national/international level in the female category during the 2023 year.
Finalists
Emily Petricola - Para-cycling |
Jakara Anthony - Mogul Skiing |
Jemima Montag - Athletics |
Kate McDonald - Gymnastics |
https://aflsportsready.com.au/
This award recognises a Victorian junior team who has achieved outstanding results with respect to their performances at a national, international level during the 2023 calendar year.
Finalists
Emma Hende & Georgina Laws - Life Saving |
Katie Jackson & Lucy Richardson - Rowing |
SV Tri-Series Team - Swimming |
Under-18 State Side - Lawn Bowls |
This award recognises a Victorian team who has achieved outstanding results in respect to their performances at a state, national and/or international level during the 2023 calendar year.
Finalists
Victorian Intellectual Disability Team - Cricket Despite having to pause for two
years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Victoria proved they are still the team to
beat at the National Inclusion Cricket Championships, creating history in 2023 with
back-to-back titles. A tournament that also showcases deaf and blind cricket,
the Victorian Intellectual Disability team demonstrated unwavering dedication and
an even performance throughout their side to claim an impeccable record through
the 2023 competition.
| Victorian State Team - Life Saving |
Victorian State Women's Side - Lawn Bowls | Victorian Women's Team - Box Lacrosse |
https://trade.bunnings.com.au/
This award recognises a Local Government Authority who has made a significant contribution to sport in 2023 through the development of a participation program or facility.
Finalists
Developing Casey's Clubs Together - City of Casey Identifying areas of focus through a member survey, City
of Casey ran three Club Development Workshops in 2023 that covered child safety
(underscoring their commitment to zero tolerance of child abuse), successful
club management and financial management (looking at Good Governance practices,
strategic thinking and developing and reporting against a budget) as well as a
co-delivered Inclusion Forum. Creating a platform for open dialogue while
building positive and transparent working relationships, these workshops
engaged over 80 now-upskilled volunteer committee members from a wide variety
of sporting codes.
| Multicultural Women's Footy for Fitness and Fun Program - City of Casey |
Nillumbik Rainbow Golf Cup - Nillumbik Shire Council
| The Home of Table Tennis - Latrobe City Council |
https://responsiblegambling.vic.gov.au/
This award recognises the outstanding contribution made in 2023 by a community sporting club and/or association who has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting participation in sport and active recreation. The club will have demonstrated actions that break down barriers so that anyone, regardless of their age, cultural background, ability, gender identity, religious belief or sexual orientation, feels welcome in sport.
Finalists
Burwood Cricket Club - Cricket |
East Gippsland Gymnastics Club - Gymnastics |
Port Campbell SLSC - Life Saving |
Sale United Football Club - Football Sale United Football Club has achieved Football
Australia’s (FA) 1-Star Club Status for their welcoming and inclusive
environment for women and girls. They instigated a ‘female come-and-try’ day as
part of FA’s 50/50 gender balance target as well as a Female Only Assistant
Referee Course. On-field, their successes included seven club members winning
the Under-18 girls title at the State Country Championships while their womens
team (aged 15-54) took home the League Title, Cup final and Kendall Cup. Sale’s
Primary School Twilight tournament was held for the 30
th year in
2023, attracting 67 teams and from there, winter season registrations increased
by 30% for juniors and 25% for adults.
|
https://www.revolutionise.com.au/
This award is open to Victorian sports administrators who have demonstrated an outstanding level of achievement during the 2023 calendar year at the State Sporting Association, Regional Sports Assembly, Local Government Authority or National Sporting Organisation (Victorian based) level. The recipient’s contribution will have provided benefit to, or had a positive impact upon, an individual sport or the industry as a whole and their standards of excellence will have distinguished them from peers.
Finalists
Chet Gray - Baseball Victoria Driving the creation of a new Strategic Plan for
2023-26, Baseball Victoria (BV) CEO Chet Gray has led the Modernisation of
Summer Baseball Plan, co-designing major reforms in the sport for the first
time in 20 years alongside clubs and key stakeholders. He has helped streamline
umpiring and scoring programs, enabled more participants to get involved with
umpiring at the community level and introduced a BV Coaching Panel aimed at improving
pathways with a clear focus on women’s development. Determined to enhance the
sport and attract more Victorian participants, Chet has also led the
implementation of new junior initiatives such as Play Ball Pioneers at
Brookdale Reserve.
|
Gen Dohrmann - Table Tennis Victoria |
Jennifer McIntyre - Calisthenics Victoria Focusing on fostering child safety, inclusion and diversity
within her sport, Jennifer McIntyre’s notable accomplishments in 2023 as CEO of
Calisthenics Victoria included enabling males aged 14+ to remain in the sport,
the establishment of working parties dedicated to advocating for First Nations
and LGBTQI+ participants and implemented an Inclusion and Diversity Action Plan
to promote a culture of equality throughout the calisthenics community. She
also launched the CaliStars competition, a dedicated platform tailored for
performers with physical and/or intellectual disabilities seeking to compete in
solos.
|
Simon Talbot - Ultimate Victoria |
The Peter Norman Inclusion Award recognises an individual or organisation that has made a significant contribution to safe, fair and inclusive sport in the 2023 calendar year. The recipient would have demonstrated actions that break down barriers for people accessing sport so that anyone, regardless of their age, cultural background, ability, gender identity, religious belief or sexual orientation feels welcome in sport.
Finalists
Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria - various |
First Nations Calisthenics Club - Calisthenics The brainchild of Rebecca Taylor, the First Nations
Calisthenics Club is the first of its kind in Australia, focused on providing a
safe place for First Nations children and their families to explore the sport. Elders
are invited and mob-feed nights held to promote healthy lifestyles. In the
club’s first six months, more than 40 children have passed through the doors. Their
performances have helped to improve understanding of traditional music, dance
and art among the calisthenics community. Rebecca has been a constant advocate for First Nations inclusion in calisthenics and is constantly working at addressing barriers that can cause disengagement.
|
Inclusive Sports Training - Triathlon |
Sandringham LSC - Life Saving |
The Victorian Outstanding Contribution to Sport Award is presented to an individual or organisation in recognition of outstanding achievement in, or contribution to, sport in Victoria.
Based on their significant role in the Victorian sport and active recreation sector, the winner of the Outstanding Contribution to Sport Award will be recommended by a panel of expert industry representatives to the Vicsport Board who will determine the final recipient.
It is the only award presented at the Victorian Sport Awards which is not decided upon by the judging panels.