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Knox Sport and Leisure Awards

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The annual Knox Sport and Leisure Awards celebrate our volunteers within our local sports and leisure clubs.

About the awards

Established in 2016, the Knox Sport and Leisure Awards aims to create sustainable sporting and leisure groups through the retention of volunteers and promotion of award-winning club initiatives to the wider Knox community.

2026 Award Nominations

The Knox Sport & Leisure Awards are dedicated to recognising and rewarding the hard-working volunteers and achievements within Knox’s local sporting and leisure clubs.

You can nominate any club or volunteer for an award of years of service recognition, regardless of whether they are involved in your club or not. You can even nominate your own club.

Nominations for the 2026 Awards

  • Nominations open: Saturday 17 January 2026 at 9 am
  • Nominations close: Tuesday 10 March 2026 at 9 am
  • Event date: Wednesday 17 June 2026 from 6:30 pm
  • Location: Knox Civic Centre, 511 Burwood Hwy Wantirna South 3152

How to nominate

Select a category

  • View the categories below and choose the one that best reflects the work of the club/volunteer.
  • Open the relevant form and review the criteria before you begin.

Tell your story

  • Review the questions and tell us why your nominee deserves the award.
  • Make your nomination stand out by being clear and compelling.
  • Show impact with real examples, measurable achievements, and relevant details.
  • Include supporting documentation e.g. policies, programs, etc.

Submit your nomination

  • Review your responses and click 'Submit' to finalise your nomination.
  • Submissions received after 9am on 10 March 2026 will not be considered.

Next steps

  • Once your nomination has been submitted, it will be assessed by a panel and ranked against pre-determined criterion.
  • All nominees and nominators will be invited to attend the awards evening on Wednesday 17 June at 6:30 pm, with the winners announced at the event.

Award categories

Expand all
Club of the Year Award

The Club of the Year Award is awarded to a Knox-based sport and leisure club who:

  • has implemented good governance structures
  • has attended Council's Club Development Workshops
  • are inclusive and supportive to volunteers.

Nominate for Club of the Year

Best Club Initiated Program Award

The Best Club Initiated Program Award is awarded to a Knox-based club that supports an inclusive program aligned with the goals outlined withing the Knox Council and Health and Wellbeing Plan.

Examples of Best Initiated programs include but not limited to: 

  • walking netball
  • wheelchair basketball
  • active parents
  • all abilities programs
  • community engagement initiatives such as food relief and programs or competitions for under-represented groups, etc. 

Nominate for Best Club Initiated Program

Junior or Adult Club Person of the Year Award

The Adult and Junior Club Person of the Year Awards are awarded to volunteers who have made a significant contribution to their club.

The Junior award is for volunteers who are under 18 years of age from 10 June 2026.

Nominate for Junior or Adult Club Person of the Year

Women in Sport Leadership Award

The Women in Sport Leadership Award is awarded to women volunteers who have made a significant contribution to their club whilst holding a position(s) of leadership such as a Committee Member, Coach or Official.

Nominate for Women in Sport Leadership

Years of Service Recognition

Recognition for Years of Service is given to long-standing volunteers within local sport and leisure clubs. This recognition starts at 20 years of service and goes up in increments of 10 years (for example 20, 30).

All volunteers nominated under this category will be recognised at the Awards evening.

Nominate for Years of Service Recognition

Prizes

In 2026, the Sport and Leisure Award winners will receive a cash prize.

Club of the Year: $1000 cash prize
Best Club Initiated Program: $500 cash prize
Club Person of the Year (Adult): $500 cash prize
Club Person of the Year (Junior): $500 cash prize
Women in Sport Leadership: $500 cash prize

Previous Knox Sports and Leisure Award winners

Knox City Council would like to congratulate all winners and nominees for their outstanding efforts to the local sporting community and say thank you to the Award sponsors.

Expand all
2025 Awards

2025 Award winners

The 2025 Knox Sport & Leisure Awards were held at the Knox Civic Centre on 18 June 2025.

The winners of each category are below.

Council congratulates all nominees and winners for their achievements and their contribution to sport in Knox.

Award categoryAward winners

Club of the Year

Awarded to a Knox based sport and leisure club who has implemented good governance structures, attended Council’s Club Development Workshops and are inclusive and supportive to their volunteers.

Knox Obedience Dog Club

Best Club Initiated Program

Awarded to a Knox based sport and leisure club that has implemented an inclusive program that aligns with the goals outlined within the Knox Council and Health and Wellbeing Plan.

Boronia Hawks Football Netball Club - Christmas Toy and Food Drive program

Club Person of the Year (Adult)

Awarded to volunteers who are 18 years of age and over, who have made a significant contribution to their club.

Kristi Disney
Templeton Cricket Club

Club Person of the Year (Junior)

Awarded to volunteers who are 17 years of age and under, who have made a significant contribution to their club.

Olivia Morphett
Golden Cobra Martial Arts

Giuseppe Strati
Templeton Cricket Club

Kingston Johnson
Knox City Football Club

Lachlan Munro
Wantirna South Junior Football Club

Matilda Mitchell
Fairpark Netball Club

Tate Sadler
Knox Baseball Club

Women in Sport Leadership Award

Awarded to woman and girl volunteers who have made a significant contribution to their club whilst holding a position(s) of leadership such as a President, Coach or Official.

Dale Nitz
Golden Cobra Martial Arts

Kyllie Moore
Ferntree Gully Tennis Club

Years of Service Recognition

Recognition for Years of Service is given to long-standing volunteers within local sport and leisure clubs. This recognition starts at 20 years of service and goes up in increments of 10 years (for example 20, 30).

All volunteers nominated under this category were recognised at the Awards evening.

Felice Lomuto, 20 years
Knox United Soccer Club

Liz Hope, 20 years
Ferntree Gully Tennis Club

Andrea Le Marquand, 20 years
Boronia Hawks Football Netball Club

Simon West, 20 years
Boronia Hawks Football Netball Club

Jan Grice, 20 years
Boronia Hawks Football Netball Club

Ellen Johnson, 30 years
Boronia Hawks Football & Netball Club

Julian Mardale, 30 years
Rowville Eagles Football Club

David Murrihy, 30 years
Boronia Hawks Football Netball Club

Val Richardson, 30 years
Ferntree Gully Tennis Club

Peter Gross, 40 years
Rowville Eagles Football Club

Rick Turcinovic, 40 years
The Basin Cricket Club

Ann Bailey, 40 years
Ferntree Gully Tennis Club

David Rice, 40 years
Knox Baseball Club

Mick Kimmitt, 50 years
Boronia Hawks Football Netball Club

Kay Kimmitt, 50 years
Boronia Hawks Football Netball Club

2024 Awards

2024 Award Winners

The 2024 Knox Sport & Leisure Awards were held at the Knox Civic Centre on 19 June 2024.

The winners of each category are below.

Council congratulates all nominees and winners for their achievements and their contribution to sport in Knox.

Award CategoryAward Winners

Club of the Year

Awarded to a Knox based sport and leisure club who has implemented good governance structures, attended Council’s Club Development Workshops and are inclusive and supportive to their volunteers.

Ferntree Gully Cricket Club

Best Club Initiated Program

Awarded to a Knox based sport and leisure club that has implemented an inclusive program that aligns with the goals outlined within the Knox Community and Council Plan 2017-2022.

Bluebirds Softball Club & Diamond Softball Club, Home Run Heroes

Club Person of the Year (Adult)

Awarded to volunteers who are 18 years of age and over, who have made a significant contribution to their club.

Kyle Chandler
Bayswater Striker Soccer Club.

Belinda Cunningham
Mountain Gate Cricket Club.

Rebecca Redfern
Ferntree Gully Tennis Club.

Club Person of the Year (Junior)

Awarded to volunteers who are 17 years of age and under, who have made a significant contribution to their club.

Hayden Atkinson 
Knox Softball Association.

Maddie Block
Ferntree Gully Netball Club.

Ash Geary-Smith
Upwey Ferntree Gully Tigers Baseball Club.

Alina Gibb
Golden Cobra Martial Arts.

Jack Taylor
Wantirna South Junior Football Club.

Women in Sport Leadership

Awarded to woman and girl volunteers who have made a significant contribution to their club whilst holding a position(s) of leadership such as a President, Coach or Official.

Belinda Cunningham
Mountain Gate Cricket Club.

Linda De lulio
Knox Gardens Cricket Club.

Lynne Simpson
Eastern Raptors Rugby Club.

Years of Service Recognition

Recognition for Years of Service is given to long-standing volunteers within local sport and leisure clubs. This recognition starts at 20 years of service and goes up in increments of 10 years (for example 20, 30).

All volunteers nominated under this category were recognised at the Awards evening.

Dean Glare, 20 years
Ferntree Gully Cricket Club.

Ramon Mihailovici, 20 years
Rowville Eagles Football Club.

Bruce Rogers, 20 years
Fairpark Football Club.

George Mitrea, 20 years
Rowville Eagles Football Club.

Donald McCracken, 20 years
Templeton Tennis Club.

Ian Hampton, 20 years
Special Olympics Melbourne Eastern Ranges.

Greg Mastertoun, 40 years
Ferntree Gully Eagles Football Club.

Melissa McKenzie, 40 years
Fairpark Netball Club.

2023 Awards

The 2023 Knox Sport and Leisure Awards were held at the Knox Civic Centre on 21 June 2023.

The winners of each category are below.

Council congratulates all nominees and winners for their achievements and their contribution to sport in Knox.

Award CategoryAward Winners

Club of the Year

Awarded to a Knox based sport and leisure club who has implemented good governance structures, attended Council’s Club Development Workshops and are inclusive and supportive to their volunteers.

Templeton Cricket Club

Best Club Initiated Program

Awarded to a Knox based sport and leisure club that has implemented an inclusive program that aligns with the goals outlined within the Knox Community and Council Plan 2017-2022.

Ferntree Gully Tennis Club

Club Person of the Year (Adult)

Awarded to volunteers who are 18 years of age and over, who have made a significant contribution to their club.

Joel Clarke
The Basin Cricket Club

Club Person of the Year (Junior)

Awarded to volunteers who are 17 years of age and under, who have made a significant contribution to their club.

Lily Vlahogiannis
The Basin Wildcats.

Jade Ruighaver
Ferntree Gully Netball Club.

Women in Sport Leadership

Awarded to women and girl volunteers who have made a significant contribution to their club whilst holding a position(s) of leadership such as a President, Coach or Official.

Eva Orlowski-Oliver

Years of Service Recognition

Recognition for Years of Service is given to long-standing volunteers within local sport and leisure clubs. This recognition starts at 20 years of service and goes up in increments of 10 years (for example 20, 30).

All volunteers nominated under this category were recognised at the Awards evening.

Maureen Portbury, 40 years
Scoresby Tennis Centre Inc.

Sue Rigg, 30 years
Knox and District Softball Association.

Denise Van Egmond, 20 years
Bayswater Strikers Soccer Club.

Mark Murphy, 20 years
Bayswater Strikers Soccer Club.

2020/2021 Awards

Watch the awards ceremony on YouTube.

Award CategoryAward Winners

Club of the Year

Awarded to a Knox based sport and leisure club who has implemented good governance structures, attended Council’s Club Development Workshops and are inclusive and supportive to their volunteers.

Wantirna Tennis Club

Best Club Initiated Program

Awarded to a Knox based sport and leisure club that has implemented an inclusive program that aligns with the goals outlined within the Knox Community and Council Plan 2017-2022.

Knox City Football Club

Club Person of the Year (Adult)

Awarded to volunteers who are 18 years of age and over, who have made a significant contribution to their club.

Mark Tyrrell
Knox City Football Club.

Adrian Thomas
Upper Ferntree Gully Junior Football Club.

Club Person of the Year (Junior)

Awarded to volunteers who are 17 years of age and under, who have made a significant contribution to their club.

Jackson Creek 
Sherbrooke Little Athletics.

Matthew Rose Myer
Boronia Cricket Club.

Women in Sport Leadership

Awarded to women and girl volunteers who have made a significant contribution to their club whilst holding a position(s) of leadership such as a President, Coach or Official.

Kristen Elder
St John’s Tecoma Cricket Club
2019 Awards
Award CategoryAward Winner/s

Club of the Year

Awarded to a Knox based sport and leisure club who has implemented good governance structures, attended Council’s Club Development Workshops and are inclusive and supportive to their volunteers.

Bayswater Junior Football Club

Best Club Initiated Program

Awarded to a Knox based sport and leisure club that has implemented an inclusive program that aligns with the goals outlined within the Knox Community and Council Plan 2017-2022.

Ferntree Gully Cricket Club.

Knox Boat Fishing Club.

Club Person of the Year (Adult)

Awarded to volunteers who are 18 years of age and over, who have made a significant contribution to their club.

Beccy Dawber - Bayswater Junior Football Club.

Kevin Van Grondelle - Wantirna South Junior Football Club.

Club Person of the Year (Junior)

Awarded to volunteers who are 17 years of age and under, who have made a significant contribution to their club.

Emma Smith - Eastern Raptors Rugby League Club and Touch Association

Women in Sport Leadership

Awarded to women and girl volunteers who have made a significant contribution to their club whilst holding a position(s) of leadership such as a President, Coach or Official.

Kate Potter - Scoresby Magpies Junior Football Club

Years of Service Recognition

Awarded to long-standing volunteers within local sport and leisure clubs.

Years of ServiceAward Recipient/s
50 YearsMichael Stoffels - Knox City Football Club
40 Years

Cyril Heron - Bayswater Football Club.

David Wareham - Omega Trampoline Sports Club.

Keith Abblitt - Bayswater Cricket Club.

Marion Wareham - Omega Trampoline Sports Club.

Meryl Anderson - Omega Trampoline Sports Club.

30 Years

Alison Rogers - Wantirna Tennis Club.

Justin Polwarth - Lysterfield Cricket Club.

Phil O'Shannassy - Knox Football Netball Club.

20 Years

Clive Savory - Wantirna South Netball Club.

Collette Keyser - Knox Gymnastics Club.

David Wareham - Carrington Park Leisure Centre Management Committee.

Dean Palandri - St Johns Tecoma Cricket Club.

Eric Beeston - Knoxfield Tennis Club (posthumously awarded).

Marion Wareham - Carrington Park Leisure Centre Management Committee.

Meryl Anderson - Carrington Park Leisure Centre Management Committee.

Pierre Schumann - Knox Football Netball Club.

2018 Awards
Award CategoryAward Winner/s
Club of the Year

Wantirna South Junior Football Club

An exemplary club within the Knox community, not only conducting programs for football participants on weekends, but also promoting football in local schools by conducting free Come 'N Try clinics.

The Club adheres to good governance practices through transparency of reports and minutes, clear and concise job descriptions for everyone. They are also compliant with child safe standards and encourages the provision of opportunities for underrepresented groups to hold leadership positions within the Club.

Best Club Initiated Program

Scoresby Magpies Junior Football Club

This club have partnered with Anchor Foster Care to support children living in all forms of ‘out of home care’ placements to play football for free (registration and uniform fees covered by sponsorship and fundraising programs through the club).

The program, which is open to all boys and girls aged 5 – 17 of all abilities, aims to address the negative stereotypes and perceptions associated with being in foster care or being adopted. The programs’ goal is to support children and develop their self-esteem and self-worth by being involved in an inclusive environment.

Club Person of the Year (Adult)

Stephen Clark

Stephen has been credited as one of the main reasons for Knox City FC's thriving junior program. Through his passion for coaching children (for over 20 years) and love for the game, Stephen has overseen the club's numbers grow from 10 – 200 players in five years.

Currently serving as the Director of Coaching, Stephen is responsible for supporting all coaches to perform at a high level.

Club Person of the Year (Junior)

Ashleigh Bertram

Ashleigh has taken up a leadership role with the younger age groups. During Cross Country season, Ashleigh volunteers her time every Saturday and loves helping around the club in any form she can. She attends many training sessions each week and provides younger and less experienced athletes with her expertise, tips, and knowledge for their improvement. Overall, Ashleigh has proven to be an excellent role model.

Women in Sport Leadership

Lisa Walshe

Lisa is a player for the Knox Women’s Football Club and also the captain, team manager, secretary, in charge of the merchandise. She also attends committee meetings.

Lisa started a youth girl’s side in 2010 and a second side in 2011. She has developed pathway programs at the club to ensure girls play Junior and Senior Women’s Football and provided an avenue for women with ambition to play football at a higher level.

Years of Service Recognition

Awarded to long-standing volunteers within local sport and leisure clubs.

Years of ServiceAward Recipient/s
50 Years

Anthony Aulsebrook - Victorian Basketball Referees Association - Knox Branch.

Keith Boldiston - Bayswater Football Club.

Ken Miller - Ferntree Gully Bowling Club.

30 Years

Colin Watkeys - Knox & District Softball Umpires Association.

Janice Clayton - Knox & District Softball Umpires Association.

Ken Evans - Knox & District Softball Umpires Association.

Merv Larter - Knox & District Softball Umpires Association.

25 YearsMike Kerr - Knox Little Athletics Centre
20 YearsTrish Maslen - Knox BMX Club
2017 Awards
Award CategoryAward Winner/s
Club of the Year

Knox Churches Soccer Club

A large, growing community club which gives local ;members a fun, family-orientated place to play soccer. The Club has also implemented a range of educational programs for players, committee, coaches and members covering topics including drugs, violence and mental illness.

With a diverse committee and programs that cater for players of all ages, abilities and ethnicities, the Knox Churches are truly an all-inclusive soccer club.

Best Club Initiated Program

Bayswater Park Cricket Club

The Club hosts an annual charity T20 match to raise much-needed funds for a number of charities. This year, the club raised over $28,000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation and Multiple Sclerosis Australia, in addition to more than $17,000 raised in 2016 for the same charities.

Healthy and Wellbeing

Knox Churches Soccer Club

The Club do not sell alcohol or rely on revenue from alcohol sales. The Club has a range of healthy food choices within their canteen and a Wellbeing Committee has been established to support its members.

The Club has also engaged Sport and Life Training to run programs for their players to address issues impacting the local community including drugs, alcohol, mental illness and racism.

Club Person of the Year (Junior)
17 years and under

Ben Reynolds - Upper Ferntree Gully Junior Football Club

Harry Cormack - Knox BMX Club

Ben Verde - Knox City Football Club

Louise Kohlman - Boronia Netball Club

Club Person of the Year (Adult)
18 years and over		Daniel Tubb - Scoresby Cricket Club
Women in Sport LeadershipSue Rigg - Knox and District Softball Association

Years of Service Recognition

Awarded to long-standing volunteers within local sport and leisure clubs.

Years of ServiceAward Recipient
50 YearsChristine Marshall - Boronia Netball Club
35 Years

Joan Lightowler - Rowville Tennis Club

Ruth and John McGregor - Knox Boat Fishing Club

25 Years

Mary Stephen Knox All Stars Basketball Club

Mike Quinn - Firestorm Martial Arts Centre

Trish Martin - Knox BMX Club

20 YearsJon Gregory Franklin - 2nd/3rd Bayswater Scout Group
2016 Awards
Award CategoryAward Winner/s
Club of the YearKnox City Football Club
Best Club Initiated Program

Knox City Football Club 

Knox BMX Club

Health and Wellbeing AwardKnox BMX Club
Club Person of the Year (Junior)
17 years and under		Mr. Winston Wu - Rowville Tennis Club
Club Person of the Year (Adult)
18 years and over		Mr. Stuart Draffin - Eildon Park Tennis Club
Women in Sport Leadership

Ms. Kay Clements - Scoresby Wantirna South Tennis Club 

Ms. Casey Eruvelil - Upwey Tecoma Junior Football Club

Years of Service

Mr. Cor Teeuw - Knox City Football Club 

Mr. Gunther Prisian - Knox City Football Club 

Mr. Brian Wright - Ferntree Gully Cricket Club 

Ms. Shirley Dalgeish - Scoresby Wantirna South Tennis Club

Mr. Alister Lord - Upper Ferntree Gully Cricket Club

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