Sport SA Awards to acknowledge the squad behind the stars

South Australia’s dedicated coaches, volunteers, administrators, country athletes and officials have been recognised in the list of finalists for the 2017 South Australian Sport Awards, judged by Sport SA.

Announced at the 2017 Sports Centre Sport SA Partners and Members Breakfast held at Adelaide’s Sage Hotel last Friday (13th October), the list also includes student achievers in sport as well as outstanding events.

Introducing the finalists, Sport SA Chief Executive Jan Sutherland commented “the achievers in grassroots sports whether they be an administrator, coach, official, volunteer, an event all nominated by the sporting community have been selected by the Sport SA committee and the School Sports Awards which recognise and reward the outstanding sporting achievements of young people in our community were announced as finalists in the 2017 Awards.

“The community is built and connected through sport and everyone can enjoy achieving success as they play, coach, officiate, organise events and complete many other tasks.

Sport SA announced three finalists in each category: Administrator of the Year, Coach of the Year, Country Athlete of the Year, Events of the Year, Official of the Year, Volunteer Award, Richard Newman Primary School Sports Award and the Secondary School Sports Award.

Sutherland added “this year there have been increased nominations from our 160 members in many sporting organisations representing a wide variety of sporting activities illustrating the commitment to sport.

“Their recognition and support is key to the advocacy role of Sport SA and presents the collective voice of sport.

“The Selection Committee has once again completed the challenging task in reviewing the submissions to select the finalists”

Award recipients will be presented at The South Australian Sport Awards Gala Dinner presented by with The Advertiser, Channel Seven and Sport SA on Friday 24th November at the Adelaide Oval.

Finalists of the 2017 South Australian Sport Awards

Volunteer of the Year Award - Sponsored by the Sunday Mail City Bay Fun Run Inc.
Adam Butler, football
Graeme Gilbert, netball
Christine Halbert, Australian rules football

Official of the Year - Sponsored by Club One 
Rachel Fisk, athletics 
Simon Fry, cricket
Eleni Glouftsis, Australian rules football

Administrator of the Year - Sponsored by Arthur J. Gallagher
Steven Baldas, tennis 
Clare Harris, Surf Life Saving 
Paul Vandenbergh, Australian rules football

Richard Newman Primary School Sports Award - Sponsored by the Department for Education & Child Development
Angus Hincksman, Tatachilla Lutheran College, multi class athletics, swimming, cross country, Surf Life Saving & football
Ben Hinks, Craigburn Primary School, sailing
Charlotte Kempenaers-Pocz, Glenelg Primary School, tennis

Secondary School Sports Award - Sponsored by Messenger Community News Limited
Matthew Carter, Pembroke School, diving
Alexandra Chidiac, Open Access College, football 
Izak Rankine, Henley High School, football and basketball

Country Athlete of the Year - Sponsored by Statewide Super
Simon Hockey, croquet 
Connor Hogan, motorcycling 
Isabella Stratford, basketball

Coach of the Year
Adam Didyk, athletics
Bec Goddard, Australian rules football 
Tracy York, basketball

Community Event of the Year 
SA Country Basketball Championships 
Sellicks Beach Historic Motorcycle Races
Teakle Auto Sprint Port Lincoln, motorsport

Major Event of the Year
Adelaide 500, Motorsport
ISPS Handa Women's Australian Golf Open

For further information and bookings go to www.sportsa.org.au

Image: The 2017 South Australian Sport Awards will be hosted at the Adelaide Oval.

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