So often, sports administrators’ are the quiet achievers behind the scenes and their work goes unrecognised.
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Yet that has not been the case for six volunteers named as award finalists after tireless efforts building their clubs and sporting associations.
Chris Garlick, Peter Tate, Gordon Parker, Lorelle Huntly, Rob McIntyre and Brett Stevens have been nominated for the 2017 Sports Focus Administrator of the Year Award.
Sports Focus business manager Stuart Craig said the awards celebrated the essential role that sports and active recreation played in local communities.
“So often their contributions go unheralded. Instead there’s a focus on the athletes,” he said.
“Our award recognises that without administrators the elite athletes’ (achievements) would not necessarily happen.”
Mr Craig said this year’s finalists were outstanding individuals.
“The contributions they have made are quite incredible. Over my 14 years as business manager at Sports Focus I’ve never ceased to be amazed a the lengths people will go to to ensure members of sporting clubs have enjoyable experiences,” he said.
Mr Craig said administrators were doing their volunteer work amid a changing sports landscape.
It was their role to juggle these changing demands to keep clubs, leagues and associations ticking over.
These challenges included managing volunteers with a preference for committing to shorter term-projects.
“Gone are the days when people would come into a sporting club and stay for 10 or 20 years,” he said.
Mr Craig said administrators had a demanding role and complexities could include dealing with a diminished demand for access to sport as well as compliance with regulations around alcohol, drugs in sport and child safety.
Sports administrators also needed to manage conflicting personalities adeptly.
With such demanding roles, Mr Craig said a vital part of Sports Focus’ work was to acknowledge the work sports administrators did and work to make their roles an attractive proposition.
The award recipient would be announced on Monday evening at the Capital Theatre in Bendigo.
Before the awards took place, representatives from Sports Focus would take part in a White Ribbon March through Bendigo.
Mr Craig said his organisation would take part to highlight the importance of cultural shifts towards making women more welcome in sporting clubs.
He said clubs were “making progress” and that the boozy, male-dominated cultures were no longer an option.
Sports Focus’ involvement was part of the major role the group was taking to encourage clubs to embrace gender equity, respect for women and finding meaningful roles to take advantage of the skills they could bring to clubs.
The Sports Focus Sports Administrator of the Year recipients:
Garlick a finalist after club merger
A man instrumental to the merger and relocation of the Maiden Gully and YCW football netball clubs has been recognised for his commitment to sport.
Chris Garlick was the finalist representing the City of Greater Bendigo in the Sports Focus Administrator of the Year awards.
It was recognition for his contributions to the Maiden Gully YCW Eagles and the Mandurang Cricket Club, according to a statement from award organisers.
Mr Garlick handled most of the day-to-day operations at Maiden Gully and presided over the formation of an under-14 junior team aligned with other clubs.
The team was intended to be a pathway for all children to continue in football.
The Maiden Gully YCW Eagles took to the field and court for the first time earlier this year in the Loddon Valley Football-Netball League.
The team played its home games at Marist College.
“There’s been a fantastic buzz around the club and everyone is really looking forward to what’s the start of a new era,” Mr Garlick said ahead of the league’s opening round in March.
At Mandurang, Mr Garlick’s contributions included securing funding for a sports pavilion which provided new and improved facilities for the community.
He also led a development plan, including the introduction of Junior Cricket, which saw the club grow from one Senior team, to five junior and five senior teams over a 15 year period.
Tate recognised for work at gun club
A Central Goldfields finalist for a sports administrator award has been recognised for tireless work for the betterment of the Maryborough & District Gun Club.
Peter Tate had been part and parcel of the club for three decades.
His persistence and passion in a great variety of roles had resulted in major improvements for the club as a whole, according to a statement from award organisers ahead of Monday’s ceremony at the Capital Theatre in Bendigo.
Working with a number of stakeholders, and through many ups and downs, Mr Tate was able to secure considerable funds to provide the club with state of the art facilities suitable for both state competitions.
The facilities also enabled training courses for a number of other groups to take place, including with Victorian Parks & Recreation, Department of Environment Planning Lands & Water, and Victoria Police.
Mr Tate “ensured that the club is now held in high regard as an important part of the local community,” the statement read.
“He keeps an eye on budgeting, legislative policy and the wellbeing of all members, providing an extremely welcoming and inclusive environment.”
After playing such an integral part in the delivery of the club’s new facilities, Mr Tate received a life membership to the club.
The recognition came at the official opening of the new facilities.
Gordon’s work on park commended
A man who helped hatch plans for upgrades at Boort Park has been named the Loddon Shire finalist in the Sports Focus Administrator of the Year awards.
Gordon Parker has been recognised for his role as a major contributor to the ongoing survival of the Boort Football, Hockey and Netball Club.
Mr Parker initiated and was highly involved in infrastructure development and facilities upgrades at Boort Park, according to a statement from award organisers ahead of a ceremony on Monday.
Mr Parker’s achievements came in his role as a member of Boort Park’s committee of management.
Award organisers were impressed by his kind manner and extensive knowledge.
They said these were the characteristics which enabled him to work so well with key community stakeholders. During the project he established a reputation for being “an absolute pleasure to work with.”
Boort Park’s facilities were described by award organisers as “some of the finest in Northern Victoria”.
Mr Parker had previously received honours with a life membership at the Boort Football Club.
Award organisers said Mr Parker had been devoted to the club.
“Gordon has invested significant time into all roles that he has undertaken – from recruiting and team selection, to president (of the Boort Football Club),” they said.
McIntyre’s focus on junior cricketers
With over 35 years in committee roles, Macedon Ranges’ Administrator of the Year finalist Rob McIntyre has been recognised for work which includes helping pave the way for a girls cricket competition.
Currently Mr McIntyre holds two positions with community organisations.
In a decade with the Gisborne & District Cricket Association, Mr McIntyre has seen the association grow from 15 to 22 clubs.
He has also worked to change the structure of the association’s management to improve governance practices and professionalism.
With Mr McIntyre’s focus on junior participation and development, the association will see the first full girls competition begin this season.
A president of the Romsey Sporting Association since its inception, Mr IcIntyre has worked together with the local council and other stakeholders to develop a master plan for the Romsey Recreation Reserve.
He has also been part of efforts to secure significant funding to improve the local sporting facilities.
Mr McIntyre was a board member of the Victorian Country Cricket League and deputy chairman of the Central Highlands Cricket Region.
He has been honoured with life memberships at a number of sporting clubs and associations. These include the Romsey Cricket Club, Romsey Football Netball Club, and Gisborne and District Cricket Association.
Huntly champions Castlemaine club
She may be officially known as the Castlemaine Football Netball Club’s secretary, but Lorelle Huntly has a reputation for doing much, much more.
The Sports Focus Administrator of the Year finalist for Mount Alexander managed all of the club’s administration and fundraising.
On top of that, she kept a busy schedule running the kiosk and bar, assisting the treasurer, looking after memberships, managing reserves and seniors football and also taking care of match day logistics.
“Lorelle’s excellent organisational skills and energy have ensured that the Castlemaine Football Netball Club is a well run, financially viable leader in the community, with a vibrant and welcoming culture,” a statement from award organisers said ahead of Monday’s ceremony.
“As part of the Active Mount Alexander working group, Lorelle also volunteers her time to work with local council and other community groups in planning for the future sport and recreation needs of the shire.”
Ms Huntly was also instrumental in efforts to establish the first ever country youth girls football team.
Award organisers said that Ms Huntly was motivated to build a club with a strong sense of belonging.
“(One) with an inclusive attitude where life long friends can be made. That’s is what drives Lorelle to continue offering wonderful opportunities for her community,” they said.
Leadership key to Echuca’s success
For Brett Stevens, the key to on-field success lies in a solid off-field base.
The Sports Focus Administrator of the Year’s Shire finalist for the Shire of Campaspe had applied strong leadership and direction at the Echuca Football Netball Club, sometimes in the face of opposition.
“Brett’s calm manner and diplomatic skills have fostered more co-operative working relationships in so many areas,” a statement from organisers said ahead of Monday’s awards night.
“The local council, media, football league, general community, and the club itself, have all benefited from Brett’s vision to create a welcoming, family friendly community hub with greatly improved infrastructure and facilities.”
Mr Stevens had introduced codes of conduct. These were part of what award organisers described as concern for the wellbeing of all club members.
Mr Stevens also organised various information sessions to educate members in a number of areas.
“In just four years, Brett and his team have turned around the struggling financial situation of the club to now be in a position of significantly more stability,” award organisers said.
“His vision and courage have also established the Echuca senior women’s football team, providing further growth for the club and a significant opportunity for the broader community.”