OFF THE COURT WINNERS – WEDNESDAY 20 MAY
Our sporting successes on the court are underpinned by the incredible behind-the-scenes operators throughout basketball.
The tireless administrators working to organise competitions, teams and courts. The amazing volunteers who raise their hands at a moment’s notice to help out. The associations who provide our children with an elite environment they can join and make their own. They write the feature pieces and articles that keep our sport at the forefront of the community.
We see this year-in, year-out with familiar faces returning to support the growth of basketball and see the excitement of all involved.
Throughout our associations, administrators and volunteers, the elite can rise to the top and have the foundation needed around them to succeed.
Our Outstanding Achievement awards highlight the incredible efforts of all our associations, from the biggest in the community through to those who do an amazing job in smaller areas to support the heartbeat of basketball.
Bellarine has continued its incredible surge in recent years to claim the Outstanding Achievement by a Large Association accolade, as well as seeing Aaron Lothian win the Male Administrator of the Year.
Also excelling in this category are Horsham (Medium Association) and Riddells Creek (Small Association) to highlight the strong work achieved by these associations across the board.
Aaron Lothian, on accepting the Male Administrator of the Year, said it was a team effort and one he was proud to be an important part of at Bellarine.
“It’s an absolute privilege to accept this award and it is a true testament of all the hard work that the BPBA team put in to make our great sport as good as it can be.“
Lothian was excited to also see Bellarine receive the Oustanding Achievement by a Large Association award.
“What an honour to accept this award for the second time in two years, we are very lucky that everyone in our association works extremely hard to continue to excel at all levels and wants to make Bellarine an association everyone can be proud of,” Lothian said.
Our Female Administrator of the Year was awarded to Branca McFarlane (Phillip Island) who was glowingly recommended in her nomination for this award.
The nomination talked proudly about how she is dedicated, professional, skilled in organisational and communication and that she has a winning combination of skills, passion, care, dedication and community spirit, making her the backbone of the small association.
Our Volunteers of the Year were respectively awarded to Bess Gillard (Mansfield) and Tony Kane (Bellarine) with both outstanding individuals highlighted for their passion and commitment, especially as both stand presidents and some of the hardest working people in their associations.
Emily Attard (Melton) continues to be a beacon of positivity and encouragement throughout her association as she was awarded the Contribution by a Female to Diversity and Inclusion award after establishing an All Abilities inclusion program for the wider community of Melton. The program has taken three years to establish and July 2018 saw the program gain weekly access. Emily is also a huge advocate for Girls Got Game and This Girl Can and was recently awarded as the City of Melton’s Young Citizen of the Year 2019.
Our Contribution by a Male to Diversity and Inclusion has been awarded to Paul Bugg (Geelong United) who currently runs Sharks Basketball and has been a fixture at the association for many years. He puts his hand up for everything – from scoring, coaching and mentoring – while also being a phenomenal mentor and advocate for players of all abilities, ensuring they all thrive, while teaching life skills to help them become more independent.
Megan Sultry (McPherson Media Group) has been a fixture at local basketball in recent times in her work across a number of regional newspapers and is an exceptional recipient of the Outstanding Promotion of Basketball award.
BVC General Manager David Huxtable said it was important to recognise Country Victoria’s most committed individuals as their work ensures that the sport continues to thrive.
“We continue to be impressed by the work of basketball administrators, volunteers and the working media in country Victoria,” BVC General Manager David Huxtable said. “We see people devote their lives and any spare moment to the joy of others on the basketball court and that’s why it’s important to acknowledge their contributions as well as our elite players, referees and coaches.
“I’d especially like to highlight the work of our volunteers – country Victorian basketball’s community is extraordinarily generous with its time and energy and this shows across the state.
“Our associations are doing amazing things and it can only be achieved in country Victoria with a group of motivated volunteers working for the good of the club or association.”
BVC AWARDS – 2019 WINNERS
Junior Female Athlete – Jade Melbourne (Traralgon)
Junior Male Athlete – Dyson Daniels (Bendigo)
Female Coach of the Year – Gail McFarlane (Traralgon)
Male Coach of the Year – Mat Holmes (Korumburra)
Junior Female Referee – Courtney Carroll (Shepparton)
Junior Male Referee – Fletcher Smith (Warragul)
Senior Female Referee – Taylah Flint (Bendigo)
Senior Male Referee – Brodie McLachlan (Warragul)
Development of Referees at a Large Association – Bendigo
Development of Referees at a Medium Association – Warrnambool
Development of Referees at a Small Association – Wonthaggi
Outstanding Achievement by a Large Association – Bellarine
Outstanding Achievement by a Medium Association – Horsham
Outstanding Achievement by a Small Association – Riddells Creek
Female Administrator of the Year – Branca McFarlane (Phillip Island)
Male Administrator of the Year – Aaron Lothian (Bellarine)
Female Volunteer of the Year – Bess Gillard (Mansfield)
Male Volunteer of the Year – Tony Kane (Bellarine)
Contribution by a Female to Diversity and Inclusion – Emily Attard (Melton)
Contribution by a Male to Diversity and Inclusion – Paul Bugg (Geelong United)
Outstanding Promotion of Basketball – Megan Sultry – (McPherson Media Group)