By Tim Doutré
JUNIOR sporting talent received a major boost this month, with the announcement of increased funding for the annual Don Deeble award.
The award was created by the Sunshine and Western Region sporting club with the backing of the Yarraville Club, will boast a total of $20,000 in prize money, an increase of $16,000 from 2008.
The award, which recognises junior sporting talents in the Western suburbs, previously saw the annual award winner receive $2000 with second and third place receiving $1000 each.
The 2008-09 Don Deeble award winner will receive $5000 with second and third collecting $2500 each to put towards sporting development.
Another major boost will be the inception of $1000 for the monthly nominees who go into the running to take out the major award. This month’s nominee is Altona’s Danni Schubach.
President of the Sunshine and Western Region Sports Club John Mahoney said the funding increase, which possibly made the award the biggest of its type in the state, came as a shock.
“We had a committee meeting a week after the last dinner (in July) and a couple of the boys from the Yarraville Club Cricket Club asked if they could come along,” he said.
“We got a bit worried, we thought they might be going to withdraw the funding, but they wanted to increase it. We just about collapsed on the floor.”
Mahoney said they were lucky to have the relationship with the Yarraville Club Cricket Club.
The Don Deeble Sports Star Award is open to young sportspeople across the western suburbs performing at state or national level. To nominate someone, send details to Don Deeble Sports Star, c/o Star News Group, 17 Assembly Drive, Tullamarine, 3043, email starsport@starnewsgroup.com.au or call our sports reporter Tim Doutré on 9933 4810 during business hours.
