By LIAM TWOMEY
SPORTING clubs in Brimbank continue to be community leaders in promoting a positive attitude to cultural diversity.
This was highlighted at the 2013 Brimbank Sports Awards earlier this year when a number of clubs were acknowledged for the outstanding work they do in providing sporting opportunities for the municipality’s diverse population.
The Club of the Year Award was won by the Sunshine Heights Cricket Club, which is known throughout Australia as an organisation that encourages newly arrived migrant communities to participate in sport.
“The Sunshine Heights Cricket Club is an outstanding example of how a sports club can engage and support their local community for the benefit of all involved,” Brimbank Council highlighted.
Also recognised at the awards for similar programs were the Keilor Little Athletics Centre, Sunshine Park Tennis Club and the North Sunshine Eagles Soccer Club.
Brimbank’s success as a sports loving community extends far beyond just the big name sports.
While residents enjoy high quality AFL, cricket and basketball facilities Brimbank Council also provides top of the range sporting facilities for tennis, baseball, croquet, netball and softball clubs just to name a few.
Junior sporting clubs continue to thrive due to the dedication of parents who drive from netball games to football matches, or from cricket training to basketball practice all in the space of a few hours.
They are supported by an astonishing number of volunteers who donate their time as coaches, referees, trainers and administrative staff, to ensure these local competitions succeed.
In return participants enjoy playing for local sporting clubs knowing that they are competing in a fun, safe and well organised environment.
Brimbank Council also acknowledged the outstanding contributions volunteers and coaches make to local sport at the Brimbank Sports Awards.
Dean Chamberlain from the Grand United Cricket Club was named the municipality’s Coach of the Year while Steve Burns from the Taylors Lakes Football Club was a close runner-up.
Grand United Cricket Club’s Brigitte Grindlay was named the Volunteer of the Year.
Sport in Brimbank will continue to flourish with plans underway from council for new facilities and programs in the area as the population continues to grow, to ensure all members of the community can engage in sport.
