Finalists announced for 2021 Australian Sport, Recreation and Play Innovation Awards

Celebrating industry achievements during the challenging last 12 months, the organisers of the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention (NSC) have announced the finalists in its 2021 Industry Innovation Awards.

To be presented as part of this year’s NSC Oration, the Australian Sport, Recreation and Play Innovation Awards, three short-listed contenders have been identified in each award category, with the finalists invited to attend the NSC Oration on Thursday 9th December (between 4pm and 6pm) to celebrate with the industry

The NSC Oration will see the winners of each category and the overall winner announced.

Event organisers advise “with the largest ever number of submissions this year, the standards have been exceptionally high, and short-listing was very hard. Congratulations to all those who submitted as they showcase the excellent work that is being invested in communities across Australia.”

Each category winner will receive a trophy and complimentary NSC Registration to the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention 2022 (value $1,375).

Each category winner will then be judged for the opportunity to be crowned the Overall Australian Award for Innovation.

The finalists in each category are:

1. Programs, Activities and Events 
Innovative programs, activities and events that have been developed to encourage the community to be more active.
• Cumberland City Council (NSW) - Healthy Kids Initiative
• AusCycling - Brisbane Cycling Festival
• Belgravia Leisure - e-Learning Programs for mental health and industry training 

2. Sports Surfaces
Innovative solutions that allow greater intensity and durability of natural, hybrid and synthetic or hard court surfaces that allow for greater usage.
• Coffs Harbour City Council (NSW) - Coffs Coast Sport & Leisure Park - Synthetic Fields
• Landscape Solutions - Kolombo Reserve
• Stadiums Queensland - Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre (QSAC) Bermudagrass Turf Trial

3. Technological Solutions and Products
Business to business or the business to consumer innovations that encourage more people to participate, play and recreate.
• AusCycling - Ride Nation Marketplace
• University of Western Australia - KIDDO: Improve your move
• The Y NSW - Gymnastics Online Classes

4. Playground Design and Development
Designs and developments that allow and encourage more children to play, have fun and be active.
• a_space Australia - Guyatt Park, Park Warrior Course
• IPAN Deakin University (Vic) - ProjectPARK
• Place Design Group - Variety Livvi’s Place, Glenfield

5. Marketing and Communication Innovations
The packaging and communications of an opportunity in a manner that has innovatively encouraged more people to be active.
• Golf Australia - Visionary of the Year
• City of Swan (Western Australia) - Swan Active - COVID 19 Response For Kids
• Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT - How I Roll

6. Facility Design and Development
Innovative, sustainable design and management that creates an environment where people are active.
• Dwp Design Worldwide Partnership - Eric Tweedale Stadium
• City of Swan (Western Australia) - Beechboro Community Hub
• Monash Council (Victoria) - Oakleigh Recreation Centre Redevelopment

The NSC Oration Program is open to all finalists and more than 200 VIP’s, delegates and peak bodies are expected to join the industry to re-connect and immerse themselves in the NSC Oration.

The NSC Oration will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and the program includes:

• 3.30pm: Registration Opens
• 4.00pm: Welcome and Official Opening
• 4.15pm: NSC Oration: A Blueprint for the Next Decade - Brisbane 2032 and Beyond - John Coates AC, President, Australian Olympic Committee and Vice President, International Olympic Committee
• 4.45pm: Industry Thought Leaders Panel Discussion with:
- Jock O’Callaghan, President & Independent Chair, Paralympics Australia
- Matt Carroll AM, Chief Executive, Australian Olympic Committee
- Robyn Smith, Chair Australian Sporting Alliance for People with a Disability
- Kate Roffey, President, Melbourne Football Club and Director - Deals, Investment & Major Projects, Wyndham City Council
- Sam Lane, Master of Ceremonies
• 5.30pm: Australian Sport, Recreation and Play Innovation Awards Presentations
• 5.45pm: Launch of National Sports & Physical Activity Convention 2022
• 5.50 pm: Launch of the Active Australia Alliance 
• 6.00pm: Industry Reconnecting Networking Session
• 7.00pm: Finish

Further information on the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention is available at www.nationalsportsconvention.com.au

Image: Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT.