28th February, 2024 — Good Sports awards

2023 Good Sports Awards

The Good Sports Awards ceremony celebrating our 2023 winners was hosted by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation at Parliament House, Canberra in February 2024.

These Awards shine the spotlight on the passionate clubs and volunteers. These clubs and people are giving their all to their sport. They work hard to improve the health and wellbeing of members, families and sporting communities.

Congratulations to all our fantastic winners and runners-up!

Good Sports Club of the Year

The Good Sports Club of the Year Award goes to a club who has reached the top level of the Good Sports program. Inspiring positive change and building a healthier, more family-friendly club environment where everyone feels welcome. This club is a champion within their community and has made their club the very best it can be by committing to, and going above and beyond, the core requirements of the Good Sports program.

This year, the Good Sports Club of the Year is Orange United Sports Club, NSW.

The state and territory winners of Club of the Year are:

Runners-up:

National runner-up: Burwood Cricket Club, VIC
NSW runner-up: New Lambton Football Club, NSW
VIC runner-up: Somerville Junior Football Club, VIC
WA runner-up: Leederville Sporting Club, WA
QLD runner-up: Fraser Coast Swimming Club, QLD
SA runner-up: Aldinga Bay Surf Life Saving Club, SA
TAS runner-up: UTAS Tasmanian University Football Club, TAS
ACT runner-up: Dance Central Canberra, ACT
NT runner-up: Pints Netball Club, NT

Good Sports Volunteer of the Year

The Good Sports Volunteer of the Year Award recognises the club volunteer who is the beating heart of their club. They give their all to their club and expect nothing in return, they are a local hero.

This year, the Good Sports Volunteer of the Year is Sam Medhurst - Campania Football Club, Tasmania.

The state and territory winners for Volunteer of the Year are:

Runners-up:

National runner-up: Damien Mortaud - Suncoast Spinners, QLD
NSW runner-up: Katrina Bradley – Junee Diesels, NSW
VIC runner-up: Catherine Gordon - Maroondah Volleyball, VIC
WA runner-up: Natalie Pougher - Carlisle and Vic Park AFLW Club, WA
QLD runner-up : Perdita (Dee) Steffan - Scottvale Park Squash League, QLD
SA runner-up: Aleisha Clayton-Roberts - Pooraka Netball Club, SA
TAS runner-up: Nigel Reid - North Hobart Football Club, TAS
ACT runner-up: Alicia Hodges - All Abilities Alliance, ACT
NT runner-up: Jacinta Stirrat - Casuarina Swimming Club, NT

Good Sports New Club of the Year

This award goes to a Good Sports club who is new to the program. Since recently coming on board, they have worked quickly and with commitment to affect change at their club, taking responsibility for their members and building a healthier, more family-friendly environment where everyone feels welcome.

The Good Sports New Club of the Year winner is Toowoomba Hockey Association, QLD.

The runner-up is Khukuri Football Club Hobart Inc., TAS.

Good Sports Mental Health Excellence Award

This Award goes to a Good Sports club who has been a fantastic example of promoting mental health awareness. They have undertaken positive activities that look after both the minds and bodies of their club members.

The Mental Health Excellence Award goes to North Hobart Football Club, TAS.

The runner-up is Orange United Sports Club, NSW.

Good Sports Junior Club of the Year

This Award goes to a Good Sports Junior club who has gone above and beyond to role model healthy behaviours and create a safer place for juniors to play sport.

The Junior Club of the Year is Hay Little Athletics, NSW.

The runner-up is Orange United Sports Club, NSW.

Good Sports Safe Transport Award

This award goes to a Good Sports club who has put the safety of their members as top priority by implementing a transport policy to ensure everyone gets home safe.

The Good Sports Safe Transport Award goes to Orange United Sports Club, NSW.

The runner-up is Caroline Springs Football Club, VIC.

Good Sports Community Club Award

This award goes to a club who has had a positive impact on their wider community outside of their members and families, by going above and beyond the core requirements of a sports club.

The Good Sports Community Club Award goes to St Johns DDJRL, NSW.

The runners-up are Seacliff Surf Life Saving Club, SA and Scottvale Park Squash League, QLD.

Minister commends Good Sports clubs

Australian Health Minister, the Hon Mark Butler MP, congratulated the finalists, thanking them for their leadership and for making their local sports clubs the very best they can be.

“It’s fantastic to see all the incredible award winners and finalists recognised for their work in creating healthier sporting communities, and inspiring the next generation to follow suit,” Minister Butler said.

“The Good Sports awards demonstrates that local sports clubs play an important role in building communities and fostering healthy behaviours, on and off the field.”