Good Sports Awards 2019 Winners announced

Some of Australia’s best community sporting clubs were celebrated at this year’s national Good Sports Awards, held yesterday (27th November) at Parliament House in Canberra.

The clubs have been honoured for their commitment to building healthy and inclusive environments, where members look for each other in the areas of alcohol and tobacco management, safe transportation, healthy eating, mental health and positive spectator behaviour.

Redpa Football Club from north-west Tasmania was crowned Good Sports Club of the Year, for inspiring positive change and building a healthy, family-friendly club. They received $1,000 to mark their achievement.

President Shane Hine credited the Good Sports program for its support in making the rural club the inclusive place it is today noting, “For the past 20 years our club has been working towards shifting its culture. The Good Sports program has helped us move forwards in leaps and bounds.”

Having reached the highest level of the Good Sports program, Redpa Football Club holds regular alcohol-free events, provides safe transport options at events where alcohol is consumed and has implemented a Smoking Management Policy.

Redpa Football Club also goes above and beyond to encourage participation. For example, they have worked towards this by running free buses to and from training. They also provide dinner for junior players.

Jeremy Rockliff, Tasmanian Minister for Sport and Recreation congratulated the three Tasmanian clubs who were named as national winners in the Good Sports Awards.

Along with the Redpa Football Club being crowned National Good Sports Club of the Year, the Devonport Gymnastics Club (Healthy Minds Award) and the Glenorchy District Junior Football Club (Rookie Club of the Year) also picked up national awards.

Minister Rockliff also congratulated the Burnie Basketball Association, Riverside Cricket Club, Tasmania University Hockey Club and Alannah Duggan from Claremont Football Club for reaching the finals in their respective categories.

Good Sports works with almost 10,000 community sports clubs across Australia and more than 400 in Tasmania to encourage systemic changes in club culture to promote positive health outcomes.

Federal Minister for Youth and Sport, Richard Colbeck also praised all of this year’s award winners and finalists. He believes they are the true definition of community champions adding “All of the Good Sports Awards finalists should feel incredibly proud of their efforts. As a result, they’re building strong, welcoming and healthy environments.

Senator Colbech added “sporting clubs are the beating heart of many communities. Clubs that demonstrate healthy behaviours are role models for local families and the whole community. I am particularly proud that Redpa is leading the way.”

More information at www.goodsports.com.au

National Award Winner
National Good Sports Club of the Year
Redpa Football Club from Tasmania

Good Sports Club Champion of the Year
Rachel Fosdick of Palmerston and Regional Basketball Association

Rookie Club of the Year
Glenorchy District Junior Football Club from Tasmania

Healthy Minds Club of the Year
Devonport Gymnastics Club from Tasmania

Healthy Eating Club of the Year
Softball Far North Queensland

nib foundation Junior Club of the Year
Queanbeyan Whites Junior Rugby Club from NSW

Tackling Illegal Drugs Club of the Year
Queanbeyan Junior Tigers Australian Football Club from NSW

Safe Transport Club of the Year
Pyramid Hill Football-Netball Club

State Club of the Year Winners
ACT -Tuggeranong Bulldogs Australian Football Club
NSW - Newcastle Netball Association
Northern Territory - Jingili BMX Club
Queensland - Emerald Brothers Cricket Club
South Australia - Golden Grove Football Club
Victoria - Geelong Rangers Soccer club
Western Australia - Quinns District Netball Club

Image of Redpa Football Club Tasmania