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.
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.
Club of the Year
The Club of the Year Award is awarded to Ferntree Gully Cricket Club.
This award goes 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.
Best Club Initiated Program
The Best Club Initiated Program Award is awarded to Bluebirds Softball Club & Diamond Softball Club, Home Run Heroes.
This award goes to a Knox-based club that supports an inclusive program aligned with the goals outlined within the Knox Community and Council Plan 2017-2022.
Club Person of the Year (Adult)
The Adult and Junior Club Person of the Year Awards are awarded to volunteers 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)
The Junior award is for volunteers who are 17 years of age and under (as at the annual date of the Awards event):
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
2024 Women in Sport Leadership Award
The Women in Sport Leadership Award is awarded to female 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.
Years of Service recipients:
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
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