2017 Victorian Sport Awards - Nominations Are Open!

It's that time of year again, to recognise and celebrate the wonderful achievements of our local, home grown sporting heroes at the 2017 Victorian Sport Awards.

Last year’s Awards was a remarkable success, as we celebrated the great successes of our community sporting greats, in front of 500 attendees at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Two Gold Medalists from the 2016 Rio Olympics, Mack Horton OAM and Kim Brennan AM were named Victorian Female and Male Athletes of the Year and 18-year-old Paralympian Emily Beecroft from the Traralgon Swimming Club took out the title of Young Victorian Athlete of the Year Award.

Mack Horton OAM

Kim Brennan AM

Emily Beecroft

The Hon. John Eren MP, Minister for Sport is excited about the event;

"Sport just wouldn't happen without the hard work of our grassroots clubs, volunteers, coaches, and officials."

"These awards are a chance to recognise those who make community sport great, and honour our elite athletes who inspire us and shine on the world stage."

"I urge everyone to consider nominating an individual, organisation or initiative that deserves to be recognised for outstanding achievements in 2017."

Chairman of Vicsport, Margot Foster AM praised the calibre of the 2016 finalists;

“The Victorian Sport Awards showcased the outstanding sporting talent and deep community involvement in sport across Victoria making the sector a substantial contributor to the quality of life for millions of Victorian families."

Crowd favourite and Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge was awarded the Victorian Coach of the Year Award and who could forget an emotional Kevin Sheedy AM when he accepted the Victorian Outstanding Contribution to Sport Award with his entire family on stage.

Kevin Sheedy with his family on stage

Grassroots sporting communities shined bright last year with the Community Coach of the Year Award going to Hussain Hanif's for his work with people with intellectual disabilities in Melbourne's western suburbs and 80-year-old swimmer John Cocks proved age is no barrier to sporting success when he was awarded the Victorian Masters Sport Award.

Neil Dalrymple, CEO of Bowls Australia was named the Victorian Sport Administrator of the Year for his efforts to promote bowls from grassroots right through to the elite level, and soccer coach Hary Milas received the Victorian Community Official of The Year Award for his volunteer work supporting charity and community events.

The largest open water swim in the world organised and run entirely by volunteers, the Lorne Pier to Pub from the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club was recognised for the Victorian Community Sporting Event of the Year Award and 19-year-old senior player at the Ormond Cricket Club and inspirational coach Robertshaw received the 2016 Victorian Young Volunteer of the Year Award.

The Victorian Sport Awards will take place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday 14 March 2018. Nominations are now open for the 2017 Victorian Sport Awards,. If you know someone from your sporting community and would like to reward them for their efforts, complete the nomination form here. Nominations close 15 January 2018.

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