The veteran player - who has been off her skates this season recovering from knee surgery - is one of three finalists in the Victorian government’s community coach of the year award.

Sugar was short-listed for her efforts in developing a 12-week introductory program for beginners that has been adopted by Skate Victoria and will soon be rolled out to member leagues right across Australia.

“She has had a huge impact on our club and almost doubled our membership numbers this year,” said Dolls secretary Sarah “Sparkling Brute” Squire.

“We started with about 30 members and we were stuggling to field a travel team, but expect to have 50 or 60 for next season.”

Sugar will attend a gala ceremony at the MCG next Wednesday, when the 2014 Community Sport and Recreation Awards winners will be announced.

She said she was nervous and excited - but thrilled that roller derby was being recognised as a sport with committed athletes.

“We often get looked upon as a weird left-of-centre sport that doesn’t take things seriously,” she said.

“We do have the part that is very social, but we train really hard. So it’s great to see the government recognising we are a valid sport that makes an important contribution to the community, just like football and netball.”