Sports Focus has announced the six finalists for the 2018 Administrator of the Year Awards.
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The award recognises the important contributions and achievements that volunteer sports club administrators make to enhance the sport and recreation sectors within their communities.
Sports Focus business manager Stuart Craig said input from volunteer administrators was critical for sports clubs to operate.
“At the end of the day it’s volunteer administrators who keep the clubs going,” Mr Craig said.
“The time and dedication they put in to ensure the club remains viable in a safe and inclusive environment is crucial.”
“We need to ensure people continue to recognise the efforts of our volunteers.
“They never do it for the recognition themselves, they do it because their children participate or they may have previously been involved and have a wonderful sense of community.”
The award was initially established in 1989 and each year six finalists are selected, representing the six local government authorities which are serviced by Sports Focus.
A key theme among the finalists is their passion to ensure there is a future for junior sport participation within their local communities.
“When you talk about juniors, it also involves keeping them off the street and getting them healthier because they are physically active,” Mr Craig said.
“Children today don’t appear to get the same levels of physical activity that maybe I did when I was at school.
“We’re also in an environment where if children are physically active they are also learning life skills around leadership, discipline, teamwork and respect.
“And nothing reinforces that more than being part of a team or club.”
The 2017 Administrator of the Year was Rob McIntyre of the Gisborne District Cricket Association and Romsey Sporting Association.
2018 Finalists
- Simon Meadows: Kyneton & District Tennis Club (Macedon Ranges Shire)
- Sharyn Lockhart: Wedderburn Redbacks Inc. (Loddon Shire)
- Naomi Cartwright: Kyabram Parkland Golf Club (Shire of Campaspe)
- James O’Bryen: Axe Creek Cricket Club (City of Greater Bendigo)
- Heather Carr: Maryborough Lawn Tennis Club (Central Goldfields Shire)
- Ken Maddern: Castlemaine District Netball Association (Mount Alexander Shire)
Throughout the week the Bendigo Advertiser will be profiling each of the finalists, shining a light on the invaluable contributions they make to sport within their local communities
The recipient of the 2018 Sports Focus Administrator of the Year Award will be announced at the organisation’s annual general meeting on November 20.
Annual General Meeting
Sports Focus will celebrate sport within the Loddon Campaspe region at its member only annual general meeting next week.
The evening will include an interview with Australian road cyclist and head of the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation Dr Bridie O’Donnell.
In 2016 Dr O’Donnell successfully broke the women’s UCI Hour Record at the Adelaide Super-Dome by riding 46.882 kilometres in 60 minutes.
The annual general meeting will include the organisation’s board chair’s report, finance report and the election of directors for the 2018-2021 period.
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