About the awards
Established in 2016, the Knox Sport and Leisure Awards aims to create sustainable sporting 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 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: 9am Saturday 17 January 2026
- Nominations close: 9am Tuesday 10 March 2026
- Event date: Wednesday 17 June 2026
- Location: Knox Civic Centre, 511 Burwood Hwy Wantirna South 3152
Award categories
Club Awards
- Club of the Year Award
- Best Club Initiated Program Award
Individual Awards
- Junior or Adult Club Person of the Year Award
- Women in Sport Leadership Award
- Years of Service Recognition
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.
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 category | Award 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 Giuseppe Strati Kingston Johnson Lachlan Munro Matilda Mitchell Tate Sadler |
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 Kyllie Moore |
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 Liz Hope, 20 years Andrea Le Marquand, 20 years Simon West, 20 years Jan Grice, 20 years Ellen Johnson, 30 years Julian Mardale, 30 years David Murrihy, 30 years Val Richardson, 30 years Peter Gross, 40 years Rick Turcinovic, 40 years Ann Bailey, 40 years David Rice, 40 years Mick Kimmitt, 50 years Kay Kimmitt, 50 years |
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 Category | Award 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 Belinda Cunningham Rebecca Redfern |
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 Maddie Block Ash Geary-Smith Alina Gibb Jack Taylor |
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 Linda De lulio Lynne Simpson |
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 Ramon Mihailovici, 20 years Bruce Rogers, 20 years George Mitrea, 20 years Donald McCracken, 20 years Ian Hampton, 20 years Greg Mastertoun, 40 years Melissa McKenzie, 40 years |
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 Category | Award 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 Jade Ruighaver |
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 Sue Rigg, 30 years Denise Van Egmond, 20 years Mark Murphy, 20 years |
Watch the awards ceremony on YouTube.
| Award Category | Award 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 Adrian Thomas |
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 Matthew Rose Myer |
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 |
| Award Category | Award 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 Service | Award Recipient/s |
|---|---|
| 50 Years | Michael 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. |
| Award Category | Award 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 Service | Award 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 Years | Mike Kerr - Knox Little Athletics Centre |
| 20 Years | Trish Maslen - Knox BMX Club |
| Award Category | Award 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 Leadership | Sue Rigg - Knox and District Softball Association |
Years of Service Recognition
Awarded to long-standing volunteers within local sport and leisure clubs.
| Years of Service | Award Recipient |
|---|---|
| 50 Years | Christine 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 Years | Jon Gregory Franklin - 2nd/3rd Bayswater Scout Group |
| Award Category | Award Winner/s |
|---|---|
| Club of the Year | Knox City Football Club |
| Best Club Initiated Program | Knox City Football Club Knox BMX Club |
| Health and Wellbeing Award | Knox 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 |
