TUROSS HEAD TENNIS CLUB PRESIDENT CELEBRATED AT GOOD SPORTS AWARDS
The President of Tuross Head Tennis Club, Dean Malcolm, was named runner-up for the 2022 New South Wales Good Sports Volunteer of the Year award, at the national Good Sports Awards at Parliament House in Canberra (16th February).
The Good Sports Awards celebrate Australia’s best community sporting clubs and volunteers, for their commitment to building healthy and inclusive club environments, and their work with the Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s Good Sports program in tackling topics like alcohol, illicit drugs, smoking, mental health and safe transport.
Mr Malcolm was recognised for making his club stronger and more inclusive, by going above and beyond the usual undertakings of a volunteer.
The South Coast resident said in recent times, the small town of Tuross Head has been impacted hard by bushfires, floods and the pandemic. During those tough times, he opened the club’s courts to encourage locals to play and to connect with others.
"Having a strong sense of community, and connecting with others, is so important for people of all ages,” Mr Malcolm said.
Mr Malcolm successfully rallied for a community grant to build and paint a tennis practice wall. He said it was extensively utilised during the pandemic and is still open to the community to use at any time.
“The Tuross Head Tennis Club facility has improved considerably over the last few years. Club volunteers and local tradies came together to create a welcoming, fun and friendly place to attend. From construction of facility improvements to mowing lawns, painting tables and chairs, and local students painting the mural. The more people involved, the better,” Mr Malcolm said.
“During tough times, Tuross Head Tennis Club used a lot of the Good Sports Mental health resources, distributing them as required to people who visited our practice wall. We encourage people to reach out for support,” Mr Malcolm said.
Working with more than 10,000 community sports clubs across Australia, including more than 3,000 in NSW, Good Sports is Australia’s largest community health sports program.
In NSW, Good Sports is funded by the Australian Government and the New South Wales Government (Transport for New South Wales) and managed by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation.
“Good Sports supports local sporting clubs to identify and reduce potential risks around alcohol and other drugs, as well as other important issues such as mental health and road safety,” said the Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s NSW Manager, Greg Howe.
“The Good Sports Awards are the ultimate trophy for any Good Sports club. They shine the spotlight on success, celebrate the volunteers who are the backbone of Good Sports clubs and gives winning clubs with the recognition they deserve,” Mr Howe added.
Tuross Head Tennis Club is a gold level accredited Good Sports club, which means it has policies that cover alcohol and tobacco management, illegal drugs, mental health and safe transport.
“The Good Sports program is an asset to our club. Its resources are vital for our community,” Mr Malcolm explained.
For more information on the Good Sports Awards, including the full list of winners, visit:
www.Goodsports.com.au
The Good Sports Awards ceremony celebrating our 2022 winners was hosted by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation at Parliament House, Canberra in February 2023.
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.
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 Woodbridge Cricket Club from Tasmania.
The state and territory winners of Club of the Year are:
ACT Water Wombats
NSW Manly United Football Club
QLD Spiders Boxing Club Inc
SA Powerblades Dragon Boat Racing Club of SA
NT Pints Netball Club
VIC Melton Rugby Union Football Club
WA Warwick Greenwood Cricket Club
TAS Woodbridge Cricket Club
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 Tammie Tugwell from Angas Go Kart Club, South Australia. The state and territory winners for Volunteer of the Year are:
ACT Bruce Rossel - Western Districts Football Club
NSW Michael Koellner - Ballina Seagulls Rugby League Football Club
QLD Vic Pascoe - Ipswich & District Athletics Club
SA Tammie Tugwell - Angas Go Kart Club
NT Kellie Moir - Pints Netball Club
VIC Terri O'Reilly - Melbourne Uni Women's Football Club
WA Niccole Cooper - Esperance Hockey Association
TAS Kylee Chivers - Tasmania University Football Club
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 Kofukan Karate Australia Inc. from Western Australia.
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 Tasmania University Football Club.
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 Geelong Junior Marlins Water Polo Club from Victoria.
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 Forest Rangers Football Club from New South Wales.
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 Junee Taekwondo - SEAT from New South Wales.
Runners Up
The runners up for the national awards are:
Club of the Year - Spiders Boxing Club Inc. from Queensland
Volunteer of the Year - Niccole Cooper - Esperance Hockey Association from WA
Safe Transport Award - Natimuk United Football Club from Victoria
Community Club Award - Goodwood Saints Football Club from South Australia
Mental Health Excellence Award - Sandhurst Football Netball Club from Victoria
Junior Club of the Year - Beverley Hills Junior Football Club from Victoria
New Club of the Year - Fraser Coast Swimming Club from Queensland
The runners up for the State Club of the Year award are:
ACT Belconnen Ramblers Basketball Club
NSW Careel Bay Tennis Club
QLD Fraser Coast Swimming Club
SA Tea Tree Gully Athletics Centre
VIC Melbourne University Women's Football Club
WA Collie Underwater Hockey Club
TAS Dominoes Basketball Club
The runners up for the State Volunteer of the Year are:
ACT Carol Jennings - Water Wombats
NSW Dean Malcolm - Tuross Head Tennis Club
QLD Kylie Burford - Spiders Boxing Club Inc
SA Amber Valentine-Proffit - Aldinga Netball Club
VIC Les Miller - Reservoir Cobras Cricket Club
WA Lisa Huggins - Riverton Calisthenics Club
TAS Michael Claxton - Westbury Cricket Club
