Council to celebrate local clubs in 2023 Sport and Active Recreation Awards

Know a local sportsperson or volunteer who has stood out in your community over the last two years?

Nominations for the 2023 Central Highlands Sport and Active Recreation Awards are now open until 11.59 pm 15 January 2023.

Mayor Kerry Hayes encouraged the community to get behind the event and nominate a sportsperson, team or organisation today.

‘We have remarkable people in all aspects of our community, and our sporting network is phenomenal, but many of us don’t realise what some of our sports people are achieving on a local, national and even worldwide platform,’ he said.

‘The sport and active recreation awards are a great opportunity to recognise these individuals and clubs, and to share success stories of the remarkable achievements in our sporting community.

‘These awards will allow us to highlight and celebrate the countless hours our volunteers and committees put toward our region’s clubs and associations. Without this committed bunch of people, the Central Highlands sports community wouldn’t be as diverse and vibrant as it currently is.’

The 2023 Central Highlands Sport and Active Recreation Awards categories are:

Junior Sportsperson of the Year – awarded to an athlete aged 17 years or under who has achieved outstanding resultsSenior Sportsperson of the Year – awarded to an athlete aged 18 years or over who has achieved outstanding resultsMasters Sportsperson of the Year – awarded to an athlete aged 40 years or over who has achieved outstanding resultsSportsperson of the Year with a Disability – awarded to an athlete with a disability who has achieved outstanding resultsCoach of the Year – awarded to a person who has displayed strength of character in the role of coachingOfficial of the Year – awarded to an individual who has achieved outstanding results in officiating in local/state/national competitionsFair Play Award – awarded to a team or an individual who has shown an exceptional spirit of ‘fair play’Committee Member Recognition Award – awarded to 3 club/recreational organisation committee members in the region as a recognition of their exemplary work with their respective not-for-profit or sport organisationVolunteer Recognition Award – awarded to 3 individuals associated with a club/recreational organisation in the region as a recognition of their exemplary work with their respective not-for-profit or sport organisationFundraiser of the Year – awarded to the fundraising event that raised over $5,000, engaged with over 100 community members and has raised money for a charitable organisationEvent of the Year – awarded to a sport event held in the Central Highlands regionAction Recreation Engagement Award – awarded to an individual, club, group or not-for-profit organisation that has successfully engaged over 50 participants throughout the year and has promoted healthy lifestyle and well-being through their program, activity or eventOutstanding Sports Development Initiative – awarded to an individual, club, group or a not-for-profit organisation that runs a dedicated program towards the development of sportEquity, Diversity and Inclusion Award – recognises and celebrates an individual, team, business or an organisation that has made an outstanding contribution to supporting and promoting equity and diversity and fostering inclusion within the sporting and active recreation landscapeCentral Highlands Hall of Champions – inductees into the Hall of Champions are people who represent the Central Highland’s greatest sports people. Along with honouring CH’s champion athletes, the Hall of Champions aims to acknowledge the vital role of coaches, administrators, and officials for their invaluable contribution to sport

View the full criteria here and nominate somebody today!

The event will be held at the Emerald Town Hall on 25 February 2023 with tickets available in the new year. Keep up to date on CHRC Facebook page for details.